Digital literacy project

Project aims

As part of the University’s commitment to create game-changing graduates, the Library initiated this project to give our students some of the foundational skills they will need to succeed in education and in the 21st century workplace. The project aims were to:
  • co-create online learning modules with UQ students (as part of the UQ student staff partnerships program) to develop the digital capabilities students need to thrive within UQ and beyond
  • raise awareness of the importance of digital literacy within the UQ Library and wider UQ community.

Project partners

The project was led by the Library and advised by a steering group containing senior managers from across UQ including:

  • Information Technology Service (ITS)
  • Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation (ITaLI)
  • Careers and Employability
  • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, School of Communication and Arts.

The project team partnered and collaborated with these organisational units and invites interest from other areas. 

Information and digital literacy represents the core capabilities which fit an individual for living, learning and working in contemporary society. It is a set of integrated abilities encompassing the reflective use of information, the understanding of how information is produced and valued, and the use of information in creating new knowledge and participating ethically in communities of learning  — Information and Digital Literacy Framework 2016-2020 (PDF).

Project outcomes

The Digital Literacy project ran from July to November 2018. The modules were ready to pilot in 2019.

  • Digital literacy modules — the project team co-created the Digital Essentials online modules addressing foundational digital capabilities for staff and students. As part of this deliverable, the project team produced self-assessment quizzes which course coordinators can embed in Learn.UQ.
  • Recommendation for UQ Graduate Attributes — the project will make a formal recommendation to the University to include digital literacy in the UQ Graduate Attributes Policy for undergraduate students.
  • Staff workshops for Liaison Librarians and Library staff — the project team held training for Library staff to introduce them to the concepts of blended learning, emphasising the role of information in the learning process, and creating a shared language and understanding of the Library's role in this process.

General contact

Contact the Library to ask about the Digital Essentials modules created during the project.

Project coordinator

Kathleen Smeaton
Associate Director
Data, Digital Learning and Publishing
Email: k.smeaton@library.uq.edu.au