Raising the profile of technology use amongst learners: Taking control of digital literacy development. Stuart Redhead - Collaborate Project, University of Exeter

The Research  Research conducted by Kennedy et al shows that whilst students may be coming to University with an array of hardware, their use of emergent web based technologies may be limited and are not being utilised within an academic context  Evidence from the research conducted by the Collaborate project at the University of Exeter, suggests that although there are high expectations for students coming to university as digitally literate and interested in how technology can support learning, this is not always the case  Amongst our undergraduate students there is a digital divide that needs to be managed

What is the iTest? Download via blogs.exeter.ac.uk/collaborate/ blogs.exeter.ac.uk/collaborate/

What is the iTest? Thirty categorised questions/ statements o I make use of digital technology that few other students are using o I use an Online citation tool to manage my references o I can apply technology in novel ways to meet specific needs

What is the iTest?  Provides a snapshot of a student's digital practice and competence Digital Guru Media Mogul Career Builder Information Junkie Digital Dodger Online Networker  Creates a profile from six themed categories

What is the iTest?  Provides information on how to improve, adopt and share digital habits  Allows tutors to gain a rough guide to a self-perceived range of digital preferences of specific student cohorts

Evaluation  Positive feedback from students “I wish I’d known about citation tools when I first started at uni…” “Why don’t they tell us about these technologies in our first year?”  Staff uptake of iTest on targeted modules  End of module evaluation on uptake of new technologies or use of techs in novel ways  Suggestions…

What next for the iTest?  Interest from other institutions  Created under Creative Commons  Digital version is critical download available via blogs.exeter.ac.uk/collaborate/ blogs.exeter.ac.uk/collaborate/ or contact