The DIP-approach: student-staff partnerships as a vital tool for learning developers and educators to develop academic [and digital] literacies

Authors

  • Alexandra J F Patel Leicester Learning Institute, University of Leicester
  • Mark Van Der Enden Leicester Learning Institute, University of Leicester
  • Frances Deepwell Leicester Learning Institute, University of Leicester
  • Bethany Cox Leicester Learning Institute, University of Leicester
  • Patsy Clarke Oxford Brookes
  • Phil Marsten Leicester Learning Institute, University of Leicester
  • Stephen Rooney Leicester Learning Institute, University of Leicester

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47408/jldhe.v0i0.473

Keywords:

student – staff partnership, digital literacies, academic literacies, learning communities

Abstract

Student-staff partnerships can be used to support the development of contextualised digital learning and teaching practices. This can be done by shifting the focus from IT skills to addressing a priority in learning and teaching using a digital approach that is appropriate for that discipline. The development of a formal ‘Digital Innovation Partnership’ (DIP) scheme at the University of Leicester brings students’ digital confidence, perspectives and motivation to enhance learning and teaching. It also recognises the valuable contribution and expertise of student and staff participants. This draws on the academic literacies work of Lea and Street (1998; 2006) and digital literacies work of Sharpe and Beetham (2010) to appreciate that staff and students are developing social practices that are situated within a discipline and intertwined with social, cultural and political factors, power and identity.

The reasons for the success of the scheme are explored here, with recommendations for how the model can be applied more generally to educational design to support students’ academic literacies development.

Author Biography

Alexandra J F Patel, Leicester Learning Institute, University of Leicester

Dr Alex Patel is an Educational Developer at Leicester Learning Institute at the University of Leicester. Her main interests are in student staff partnerships, and developmental approaches to academic and digital literacies. Perhaps due to her cross-disciplinary background, she is also interested in how we attempt to represent the world using different research methodologies.

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Published

31-10-2018

How to Cite

Patel, A. J. F. (2018) “The DIP-approach: student-staff partnerships as a vital tool for learning developers and educators to develop academic [and digital] literacies”, Journal of Learning Development in Higher Education. doi: 10.47408/jldhe.v0i0.473.

Issue

Special Edition: ALDinHE Conference 2018

Section

Case Studies

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