Animated videos - a new way of engaging students in digital literacy at Deakin University

In 2013 Deakin University Library identified a gap in knowledge and support for students to find material for their assignments. Based on our findings we created an online resource called ‘Getting Started’, which included... [ view full abstract ]

In 2013 Deakin University Library identified a gap in knowledge and support for students to find material for their assignments. Based on our findings we created an online resource called ‘Getting Started’, which included a step-by-step instructions on a range of key digital literacy skills including keyword searching, finding information resources from a reference and accessing the resource (print or electronic). In discussion with academics and division partners including language and learning advisors and staff from equity and diversity, the Library applied for funding through the Higher Education Participation Programme (HEPP) to produce a suite of animated videos focusing on the foundation skills of searching for information. While the target cohort may have been entry level students new to using a university library, this style of instruction benefited all students. Using universal design for learning principles (UDL), the funding enabled us to meet our mission for building students’ digital literacy skills through production of ten high quality videos used for trimester one units in 2015.