May 27 2025, 11:55 - 12:25 (AWST)
There is an adage that proves true time and time again; it takes a village to raise a child. It may be a strange connection to make for a university library but for us at UNSW Library the statement does ring true. It takes a village, a university community, a combination of spaces, to foster future-ready graduates.
The rapid advancement of technology and the immersion of AI into education has meant that critical evaluation and digital dexterity is needed now more than ever. At UNSW Library, our aim is to help support students develop not only their subject-specific knowledge but also the digital information skills they need in our rapidly changing, technological world. This has become the driving force behind the Digital Information Skills Framework; a skills-based matrix combining the key elements of digital dexterity and information literacy from an instructor-guided level of assistance to autonomous.
Once the Framework was created our challenge was set. How do we develop students' skills and self-efficacy within the new framework? How do we measure the success of our interventions when academic libraries usually rely on anecdotal feedback? The answer is we innovate.
Catering to those new to tertiary study and in response to our shifting context, we created the Digital Literacy Package (DLP), two foundational modules embedded within Moodle and designed to teach students core research skills and ways to navigate the variety of technology and tools available for academic projects. Applying teaching strategies, including explicit instruction, modelling and low-stakes formative assessment, the DLP gives students a more personalised way to build the foundations of their digital information skills. In addition, key elements of design psychology and accessibility features were integrated to support students with diverse needs, including those who speak English as an Additional Language or Dialect to ensure a more inclusive learning experience. The DLP offers an opportunity to maintain meaningful connections with students and academic staff, tailoring the examples used within the package in a way that fits the course context.
So now the question remains, what will the impact of our interventions be?
THETA acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the lands where we live, learn and work. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and celebrate the stories, culture and traditions of all First Nations people.