21 Digital Learning and Digital Dilemmas
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Gitonga M’Mbijjewe
M’Mbijjewe, Gitonga Associate Vice Provost, Administration, Aga Khan University-Kenya (AKU), Nairobi, Kenya, where he provides leadership of administrative services, strategic planning and implementation, external relations, and regulatory compliance. For almost three decades he has served as an administrator and faculty member, with various roles in corporate affairs, strategy, university advancement, human resources, institutional accreditation, governance, student affairs, curriculum development, talent development, public relations, and training, both in the United States and Kenya. Gitonga is also an active member of Smart Speak Toastmaster Club, Toastmasters International.
Email:
gitonga.mbijjewe@aku.edu Oyange-Ngando, Elizabeth Commercial Lawyer and Advocate of the High Court of Kenya. Her contributions to this book were made as a Copyright Specialist at the Aga Khan University, Nairobi, Kenya, in 2023. Her expertise spans intellectual property law across multiple jurisdictions and she brings a comprehensive legal perspective to complex intellectual property matters.
Email:
elizabeth.oyange@aku.edu Gitonga, Augustine Librarian and Academic Writing Editor, Aga Khan University Library, Nairobi, Kenya. Augustine has a strong library studies and media and communications background. His interests are in emerging trends in education, librarianship, media and technology. He is an instructor in information literacy skills and scholarly and science communication and interacts deeply with students and other researchers in converting manuscripts into theses and publications and has a keen interest in the future of learning. Augustine holds a Bachelor of Technology degree in Library Studies, a Master of Arts in Communication Studies and is currently registered in the doctorate programme in Information Studies.
Email:
augustine.gitonga@aku.edu
Abstract
Technology is blurring the line between fact and fiction, making it increasingly difficult to decipher the origins of content. The proliferation of easy online access to information, new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning (ML) along with wider use of ghostwriters accompanied by pressures for enhanced performance and a borderless global economy are changing teaching and learning, creative writing and challenging the traditional role of information guardians. This chapter provides an overview of new information technologies, examines their impact on teaching and learning and creativity and discusses resulting digital dilemmas. Some say that academic integrity is under threat with new uses of technology threatening academic rigour leading to a digital dilemma as digital natives adopt technological tools for increased productivity and efficiency without adopting scholarly habits of critical thinking and content evaluation. Another digital dilemma involves issues of intellectual property and copyright in relation to content creation using new technological tools. Academic excellence has become a business, raising ethical dilemmas for everyone involved. The chapter explores the complexity of generational dynamics, the advances and impact of technologies and the role of educators and information specialists. How do information users and information specialists gain the digital literacy required to deal with the digital dilemmas encountered?
Abstract
Technology is blurring the line between fact and fiction, making it increasingly difficult to decipher the origins of content. The proliferation of easy online access to information, new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI), natural language processing (NLP), and machine learning (ML) along with wider use of ghostwriters accompanied by pressures for enhanced performance and a borderless global economy are changing teaching and learning, creative writing and challenging the traditional role of information guardians. This chapter provides an overview of new information technologies, examines their impact on teaching and learning and creativity and discusses resulting digital dilemmas. Some say that academic integrity is under threat with new uses of technology threatening academic rigour leading to a digital dilemma as digital natives adopt technological tools for increased productivity and efficiency without adopting scholarly habits of critical thinking and content evaluation. Another digital dilemma involves issues of intellectual property and copyright in relation to content creation using new technological tools. Academic excellence has become a business, raising ethical dilemmas for everyone involved. The chapter explores the complexity of generational dynamics, the advances and impact of technologies and the role of educators and information specialists. How do information users and information specialists gain the digital literacy required to deal with the digital dilemmas encountered?
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- About IFLA IX
- Preface 1
- 1 Digital Literacy: An Overview and Introduction 7
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Part I Public and School Libraries Promote Digital Literacy through Digital Access and Skills Building
- 2 Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Marginalised Citizens in Developing Nations 29
- 3 Information Literacy in the Digital Age: Building Competencies Across the Learning Continuum 55
- 4 Fostering Digital Literacy in India: Government Initiatives and Digital Inclusion 69
- 5 Engaging Young People as Readers: Use of Social Media and Digital Literacy 93
- 6 The Library as Lifeline: Digital Inclusion in Post-Pandemic Philadelphia 113
- 7 Empowering Librarians and Learners: Building a Supportive Network for Teaching and Learning 128
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Part II Academic Libraries Take Novel Approaches to Advance Digital Skills
- 8 Transforming the Student Experience in Singapore Polytechnic Libraries Through a Collaborative Digital Literacy Framework 143
- 9 Supporting Digital Dexterity in Academic Library Communities Across Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand 162
- 10 Developing Student Digital Literacies Through Insights from Educators and Employers 180
- 11 Digital Literacy in Latin America: Pre- and Post-COVID-19 197
- 12 The Venn of Project Research: A Framework for Librarians and Students Tackling Real-World Challenges 215
- 13 Enhancing Student Transliteracy Through Archives: Designing an OER for Primary Source Mastery 230
- 14 Misinformation Literacy: Promoting Lifelong Ethical Digital Citizenship 246
- 15 Teaching Information Literacy to Would-Be Teachers 259
- 16 The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Literacy at the University of Queensland 275
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Part III The Influence of Digital Information
- 17 Be Not Afraid of a Meme: Developing Visual and Media Literacy Skills 291
- 18 Digital Health Literacy: An Evolving Picture 308
- 19 Combating Fake News: School Librarians and Digital and Visual Literacy 330
- 20 A News Literacy Curriculum Toolkit 349
- 21 Digital Learning and Digital Dilemmas 364
- 22 Digital Health Literacy: Improving Health Outcomes 383
- 23 Digital Literacy: Necessary but Not Sufficient for Learning 401
- Contributors 417
Chapters in this book
- Frontmatter I
- Contents V
- About IFLA IX
- Preface 1
- 1 Digital Literacy: An Overview and Introduction 7
-
Part I Public and School Libraries Promote Digital Literacy through Digital Access and Skills Building
- 2 Bridging the Digital Divide: Empowering Marginalised Citizens in Developing Nations 29
- 3 Information Literacy in the Digital Age: Building Competencies Across the Learning Continuum 55
- 4 Fostering Digital Literacy in India: Government Initiatives and Digital Inclusion 69
- 5 Engaging Young People as Readers: Use of Social Media and Digital Literacy 93
- 6 The Library as Lifeline: Digital Inclusion in Post-Pandemic Philadelphia 113
- 7 Empowering Librarians and Learners: Building a Supportive Network for Teaching and Learning 128
-
Part II Academic Libraries Take Novel Approaches to Advance Digital Skills
- 8 Transforming the Student Experience in Singapore Polytechnic Libraries Through a Collaborative Digital Literacy Framework 143
- 9 Supporting Digital Dexterity in Academic Library Communities Across Australia and Aotearoa/New Zealand 162
- 10 Developing Student Digital Literacies Through Insights from Educators and Employers 180
- 11 Digital Literacy in Latin America: Pre- and Post-COVID-19 197
- 12 The Venn of Project Research: A Framework for Librarians and Students Tackling Real-World Challenges 215
- 13 Enhancing Student Transliteracy Through Archives: Designing an OER for Primary Source Mastery 230
- 14 Misinformation Literacy: Promoting Lifelong Ethical Digital Citizenship 246
- 15 Teaching Information Literacy to Would-Be Teachers 259
- 16 The Future is Now: Artificial Intelligence and Digital Literacy at the University of Queensland 275
-
Part III The Influence of Digital Information
- 17 Be Not Afraid of a Meme: Developing Visual and Media Literacy Skills 291
- 18 Digital Health Literacy: An Evolving Picture 308
- 19 Combating Fake News: School Librarians and Digital and Visual Literacy 330
- 20 A News Literacy Curriculum Toolkit 349
- 21 Digital Learning and Digital Dilemmas 364
- 22 Digital Health Literacy: Improving Health Outcomes 383
- 23 Digital Literacy: Necessary but Not Sufficient for Learning 401
- Contributors 417
