What is digital literacy?

At Deakin digital literacy is the third graduate learning outcome. It is defined as using technologies to find, use and disseminate information.

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To explore how digital literacy relates to teaching read through our quick guide. Or look at this digital literacy framework created by Deakin Library for use by course teams and unit chairs in developing student digital literacy capabilities.

Click on the sections below to explore a breakdown of the framework.

Find - search and navigate

1. Foundation Level

Identify a need for information to effectively accomplish a task.
Define the scope of the research required and determine key concepts and contexts.
Successfully locate sources from citation lists provided.
Research and access key sources of information in the subject area.

2. Proficient Level

Interpret a research question and develop an effective search plan to navigate to relevant information sources.
Demonstrate the ability to alter or refine searches to ensure results reflect the information need.
Demonstrate knowledge of information sources and employ judgement in selection.

3. Advanced Level

Demonstrate sophisticated use of search strategies required to retrieve a comprehensive range of relevant resources.
Use advanced features of library databases to automatically generate regular search outputs e.g. alerting services, RSS feeds.

Use - think critically and analyse

1. Foundation Level

Recognise that the quality of information varies.
Awareness of elementary evaluation criteria to avoid use of misleading knowledge resources.

2. Proficient Level

Apply appropriate criteria to evaluate reliability, relevance, accuracy and authority of information.

3. Advanced Level

Consistently demonstrate analytical skills in selecting accurate and relevant digital sources to support a contention or argument.

Disseminate - create, communicate and connect

1. Foundation Level

Recognise the importance of referencing and acknowledge the ideas of others in the work one creates.
Demonstrate an understanding of copyright requirements, information security and privacy and ethical use of information.
Select and use technologies to communicate in an academic environment.

2. Proficient Level

Consistently and correctly reference and acknowledge the work of others; keep systematic records of resources, using appropriate technologies to manage information.
Demonstrate an understanding of privacy, ethical and legal requirements and relate these concepts to the development of one's digital profile.
Understand the relevance of social media tools and use appropriately for enabling teamwork and collaboration.
Demonstrate the ability to produce subject-related knowledge artefacts using digital tools and resources.
Demonstrate collaborative production and sharing of digital content for study and research.

3. Advanced Level

Demonstrate advanced working knowledge of relevant bibliographic software tools.
Demonstrate capability to reflect and confidently create and share new knowledge.
Ethically curate and share knowledge in a variety of forms.

Interested in learning more?

Speak with a Librarian to work with the Library in developing student digital competencies.

What is digital literacy?

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Find - search and navigate

Use - think critically and analyse

Disseminate - create, communicate and connect

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