Digital literacies across AMICAL: Survey results and opportunities for consortial action

Following on our survey of AMICAL institutions’ approaches to digital literacies, this discussion will begin with our analysis of survey results. Participants will discuss challenges and opportunities for developing digital literacy initiatives, their thoughts on priorities for consortial actions, and next steps for advancing digital literacies at their own institution.

Digital literacy-related discussions at recent AMICAL events identified a need to ascertain how “digital literacies” are understood and pursued across AMICAL institutions. A working group was formed to design a survey to inventory statements of institution-level learning goals for digital literacies, and to gather information about who takes institution-wide responsibility for helping to create a digitally literate learning environment. The survey is being administered in advance of the Conference, and the working group will analyze the results to find patterns, common challenges, common institutional goals and opportunities for coordinated action or resource development across AMICAL. This session will discuss the survey results and an infographic designed to communicate key observations to members and campus leadership. Participants will share local issues related to the development of digital literacy initiatives, and their thoughts on priorities for consortial work supporting this. Participants will be asked to plan for some kind of action in the following month at their institutions (a) to promote digital literacies directly as an individual faculty or staff member, or (b) as a next step in contributing to the development of institution-level efforts toward digital literacies. A webinar will be held in May with participants to share results of follow-up activities.