The Digital Fluencies T-Shaped Framework
The University of Brighton has launched a new Framework to help staff and students plan their digital skills development, and to guide staff in embedding digital skills and critical awareness of digital issues in to their curricula.
Digital skills, digital capabilities, digital literacies are all expressions that relate to having the ability to use digital technologies. Digital fluency encompasses these definitions, but takes a broader approach: “The ability to leverage digital tools and platforms to communicate critically, design creatively, make informed decisions, and solve wicked problems… to support the complex needs of a digitally mediated society” (Educause Horizon Report 2019).
At the University of Brighton, digital fluency involves having a range of appropriate digital skills, but also the confidence to decide when and how to use them in complex ways, and an awareness and understanding of the opportunities and challenges of digital society.
The Digital Fluencies T-Shaped Framework acts as a starting point for developing staff and student digital fluencies and embedding them in the curriculum.
The Framework:
- Is a T-shaped development model that combines a breadth of digital skills with more complex digital specialisms
- Guides staff (academic and professional services) and students in planning their self-led digital fluencies development
- Supports students in developing their University of Brighton Attributes
- Is not just about technical skills but an awareness of digital issues in academic disciplines, a critical approach to using technologies, and an engagement with the challenges and opportunities of digital society
- Guides teams of staff planning the embedding of digital learning in their curricula through reflecting on the breadth and distinctiveness of the digital opportunities
- Aligns to the Jisc Digital Capabilities Framework
Download the Digital Fluencies T-Shaped infographic here:
Digital Fluencies Infographic_01
Further information for University of Brighton staff can be found on the Digital Fluencies Sharepoint pages or from Fiona Handley or Alison Curry in the Learning and Teaching Hub.
Emilie Hayter • October 5, 2022