SMU’s Digital Learning Strategy highlights the need for students to have digital skills and it underscored in the SMU Holistic Student Development Framework. One of the key dimensions in the framework is Academic and Learning Success that focuses on support for students to develop academic and study skills. Responding to this, SMU Libraries developed an elearning resource for freshmen entitled, Digital Literacy: What you need to know to help students transition to digital learning in universities.
There are five interactive learning objects (LOs) mapped to the Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs). Each learning object focuses on different topics and averages 20 minutes in duration.
- LO1: Collaboration Skills for Group Projects in Blended-Learning Environments
Topics covered:- Blended or hybrid learning
- Group work and collaboration in face-to-face and online environments
- LO2: Bias and Influence in Search Tools
Topics covered:- How internet search engines work
- Algorithmic bias in search results
- LO3: Evaluating Information from Digital Sources
Topics covered:- SIFT (Stop, Investigate, Find, Trace) and S.U.R.E concepts to evaluate digital information
- Open web content and peer-reviewed content
- LO4: Cybersecurity Threats and Digital Well-Being
Topics covered:- Cybersecurity threats in academic environments
- Tips for digital well-being
- LO5: Understanding Digital Rights and Responsibilities
Topics covered:- Digital rights and responsibilities
- Creative Commons
For more information and use in courses, please email Rajen Munoo, Head, Learning & Engagement, rajen@smu.edu.sg. (Please note: Freshmen can access these learning objects as a learning activity in LIB001 Library Research Skills in elearn as part of their library orientation).