Digital Literacy, Employability and Placements in the School of Archaeology, Geography and Environmental Sciences |Lloyd-Evans, S. | Mitchell, D. | Musson, S. |

Background Digital literacy: defined as the ability to use and understand information that is communicated through digital technology. To understand whether students are readily prepared to deal with the evolving technological world of work and how the University might further support students in becoming digital To start with, we conducted a review of current University practice and interviewed 12 staff in SAGES and the University

What do staff say? Newer forms of Digital Literacy are important and should be used We need to maximise the potential of Social Media across campus Improve online training and capture experiences of the UoR Alumni

Focus Groups “The University has not covered online safety at all” “Social media is becoming a personal professional platform and where the line is drawn between the two is constantly fluctuating” Students felt a need for more training on LinkedIn Shocked that employers search social media and have the right to request login details

Where students look for jobs:

Results - Geography 84% would like to be taught how to use LinkedIn for professional purposes 89% would not be comfortable with an employer checking their social media profiles 94% would like to see more interaction with social media in lectures, seminars and in and around departments 96% say they have never received training on how to use Digital Literacy, including Social Media, for a professional purpose

Results - Environmental Sciences 100% say they have never received training on how to use Digital Literacy, including Social Media, for a professional purpose 92% would not be very confident if their social media profiles were checked and would like to know what companies are looking for 100% would like to see more interaction with social media in lectures, seminars and in and around departments

Results - Archaeology 94% say they have never received training on how to use digital literacy, including social media, for a professional purpose 68% want more departmental interaction with social media 61% say digital skills are as important as literacy and numeracy skills

Results - Overall 100% of participants use Facebook 96% say they have never received training on how to use digital literacy, including social media, for a professional purpose 75% would like to be taught how to use LinkedIn for professional purposes, 59% for Twitter and 50% for blog 74% believe that digital skills are as important literacy and numeracy skills

What’s next? Immediately Before the next academic year Next year & onwards