LiDA100: Learning in a Digital Age

Please note that LiDA100 does not currently offer a Saylor Academy certificate of completion. Other credentials may be available; see the Course Syllabus for details.

In a technology-driven environment, we assume most people are comfortable learning online. The ubiquity of digital communication, automated assistance, and constant connectivity support this assumption, but many of us lack the skills needed to navigate digital resources and technologies in an academic setting. Learning in a Digital Age (LiDA) is a credit-bearing course designed to improve digital learning literacies for higher education and help learners gain more value from open educational resources (OER).

First, read the course syllabus. Then, enroll in the course by clicking "Enroll me in this course". Click Unit 1 to read its introduction and learning outcomes. You will then see the learning materials and instructions on how to use them.

In this unit we explore why digital literacies are important for learning online. You will learn how to create a personal course blog, find appropriate open resources, and reflect on your level of digital literacy. Digital Literacies for Online Learning (LiDA101) is the first of four micro-courses in the Learning in a Digital Age course.

Completing this unit should take approximately 30 hours (excluding time to prepare an optional assessment portfolio for formal credit).

In Unit 2 we engage in academic learning as a digital citizen of the internet. This unit will help you develop a positive online identity to support learning on the Internet, commensurate with good practice for privacy, security and interpersonal communications. Digital citizenship (LiDA102) is the second of four micro-courses for the Learning in a Digital Age course.

Completing this unit should take approximately 30 hours (excluding time to prepare an optional assessment portfolio for formal credit).

Image credit: One World-One Web by Paul Downey, cc by 2.0.

In Unit 3 we harness the potential of open education in pursuit of learning goals while adhering to the requirements of copyright in a digital world. Open Education, Copyright, and Open Licensing (LiDA103) is the third of four micro-courses for the Learning in a Digital Age course.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 30 hours (excluding time to prepare an optional assessment portfolio for formal credit).

Image credit: Is licensing really the most important question for OER? by Caroline Madigan for opensource.com, cc by sa 2.0.

In Unit 4 we explore the concept of media literacy and apply this knowledge to access, analyze, evaluate, and create digital media. Critical Media Literacies and Associated Digital Skills (LiDA104) is the fourth of four micro-courses for the Learning in a Digital Age course.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 40 hours.

Please take a few minutes to give us feedback about this course. We appreciate your feedback, whether you completed the whole course or even just a few resources. Your feedback will help us make our courses better, and we use your feedback each time we make updates to our courses.

If you come across any urgent problems, email contact@saylor.org or post in our discussion forum.