In this episode we are looking at the concept of digital literacies from the teacher TL perspective.
We discuss the expansion of the concept of digital literacies beyond a narrow focus on tools and technology to consider how we support students to develop the capabilities which fit them for living, learning and working in a digital society. We also explore how the TL might continue to develop their own digital literacies and how they can take a leadership role to embed a positive approach to digital literacies within the whole school community.
Please note: the sound quality of this podcast is variable due to reasons beyond our control. You may find the transcript useful to assist you when listening to this recording.
Recorded 05/09/2022
Download the transcript in PDF format here.
Our guest
Our guest for this episode is Barbara Kristo.
Barbara is Head of Library Services E-12 at St Andrews Lutheran College on the beautiful Gold Coast, where you will find her immersed in a new challenge or boasting about how awesome her job is. She has a Masters degree in Teacher-Librarianship and is the local representative for the Queensland School Library Association. Barbara can be found online burning pizza on Roblox, creating earrings in Tinkercad or trying to advance her digital design skills. She believes digital literacy is crucial for our well-being and success, and that teacher-librarians are perfectly positioned to lead digital literacy learning in schools.
Podcast highlights
Barbara’s current working context. At 2.26 Barbara describes her current role as Head of Library Services and her school context.
Barbara’s connection with Teacher Librarianship. From 4.32, Barbara talks about who inspired her to become a teacher librarian.
Understanding the concept of digital literacies. At 7.01 the complex concept of digital literacies is discussed by Barbara.
Staying up to date with digital literacy. Barbara shares her strategies for maintaining her own level of digital literacies at 11.15.
The importance of sharing online spaces with students. At 13.53 Barbara shares a story about the importance of engaging with students and our children in the same online spaces to build knowledge and experiences.
Digital literacies and the General Capabilities. At 16.08, Barbara identifies how digital literacies is dependent upon the development of the other general capabilities including literacy, numeracy and social and personal capabilities.
ESports as an avenue for building digital literacies and more. 18.15 is where Barbara discusses how esports is a valuable and creative avenue for developing students’ digital literacies and associated General Capabilities.
Modelling digital literacies as a TL. At 24.02 Barbara offers strategies for TLs to model and scaffold positive engagement with digital tools including social media and taking that first step towards building your own digital literacies and those of your learning community.
Further resources:
Barbara discusses some useful resources to support the development and understanding of digital literacies, as well as the value of ESports – further resources to investigate are below.
Explore the concept of Digital Quotient, a global standard on Digital Literacy, Digital Skills and Digital Readiness: DQ is defined as “a comprehensive set of technical, cognitive, meta-cognitive, and socio-emotional competencies that are grounded in universal moral values and that enable individuals to face the challenges and harness the opportunities of digital life.”
There is a very interesting rubric on this page that highlights a variety of digital quotient competencies across the concepts of digital citizenship, digital creativity and digital competitiveness. It also connects future readiness to wellbeing and the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.
Digital Intelligence (DQ): Global Standards for Digital Literacy, Skills, and Readiness from DQ Institute on Vimeo.
ESports
Want to learn more about ESports? Check out the FUSE Cup, a school ESports competition for younger gamers across Asia Pacific.