1.4: Learning in a Digital Age
In
this subunit we shift our focus to learning the digital, academic, and study skills.
"The future lies in personal learning networks and paths, learning that blends experiential and digital approaches, and free and open-source educational models."
—Anya Kamenetz, DIY U: Edupunks, Edupreneurs, and the Coming Transformation of Higher Education
Upon successful completion of this subunit, you will be able to:
- use an online note-taking tool to summarize video and/or audio presentations for academic purposes;
- summarize an academic publication to support your research;
- identify a range of academic and study skills for learning success in higher education and share support resources for improving these skills;
- discuss the future of higher education in a digital age with particular emphasis on the implications for academic and study skills;
- prepare a learning reflection; and
- improve skills and build confidence in using social media to support learning on the Internet.
In this section we listen and take notes from a video. Online video allows you to pause the play and even increase the playback speed.
Many of us prefer to take notes with pen and paper, but in this activity you are required to use a note-taking application. You can always use pen and paper to prepare your first draft before recording a digital text version of your notes. Most citation management tools provide note taking capabilities which you can associate with items stored in your library, however for the purposes of this activity you will be directed to use Simplenote (an open source tool) because we will be using features of this tool for other course activities.
Mini Challenge Summary
Summary: Watch a video or listen to an audio lecture, and record and share notes digitally. Time: 45 minutes.
Special tools: Simplenote available for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux and the web.Mini Challenge Summary
Summary: The future of higher education in a digital world and “free” online learning. Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
In this section, you will demonstrate your note-taking skills based on reading an academic publication.
The challenge which follows also incorporates digital skills associated with semantic content markup using the Markdown markup language. Semantic markup is an important digital skill which separates formatting (e.g. headings, bold, italics, lists etc.) from the content using designated characters without the use of rich text editors. This provides the capability to use plain text files that can be converted to formatted text online. Markdown is one of many markup protocols, and is used here to demonstrate the principles of semantic markup.
Mini Challenge Summary
Summary: Summarise research article using semantic markup. Time 45 minutes.
Mini Challenge Summary
Summary: Read and annotate a research article on academic and study skills. Time: 1 hour.
Academic skills for learning success in higher education covers a wide range of skills, for example: reading for meaning, note taking, academic-writing, problem-solving, critical thinking and communication skills. Fortunately there are extensive resources and tutorials you can source online to suppoegrt and improve your learning to ensure success with your studies.
Mini Challenge Summary
Summary: Create a mind map summarising academic and study skills, highlighting areas for self-improvement and corresponding support resources. Time: 1 – 1.5 hours
An important part of university study is self-reflection. You are required to prepare a learning reflection for the final course assignment and this learning challenge will give you the opportunity to practice and refine your skills in preparing a learning reflection.
Mini Challenge Summary
Summary: Learning reflection based on this unit, Learning in a digital age. Time: 1 hour.
Optional: Continue to participate in the LiDA photo challenge.
