By "digital capabilities" we mean the ability to operate effectively within, and exploit the full potential of, digital technologies and techniques. This involves knowledge of conceptual frameworks, as well as familiarity with key tools. Most importantly, given the pace of change in the digital world, it depends upon an ability to learn fast, from online sources, through experimentation, and from networks of people.

The Arts Faculty is developing a suite of for-credit modules to develop student digital capabilities. There are also many other less formal opportunities. For staff, conventional training courses are available, however that approach may not suit their needs.

Students

We have an intention to wrap-up together many of these initiatives into an Arts Faculty Digital Capabilities certificate, or possibly a degree-minor that may be taken with an Arts discipline major.

Faculty-wide

Arts Faculty Modules

The 2nd-year module Designing Change: Critical Creativity in the Digital Age (foundations) will be introduced in 2022 to provide more advanced development for around 30 students a year. This module is based in Liberal Arts, but available to all students in the Faculty. This module will use pedagogic strategies that work well for developing deep and powerful digital capabiliites: case-based learning, creative project-based learning, problem-based learning, and experiential learning.

This will be followed by a real-world project-based module in 2023 called Designing Change: Critical Creativity in the Digital Age (applied), which will use community-based learning and creative project-based learning.

Digital Humanities Certificate

Initial investigations are being undertaken to create a Digital Humanities Certificate. This might be targeted at postgrads, but could also work for staff and students.

In the disciplines

Creative writing for computer games in the Warwick Writing Programme.

Film making in Film & TV.

Performance technologies in Theatre Studies.

University-wide

Warwick Online Learning Fundamentals

The Warwick Online Learning Fundamentals course provides a grounding. It largely follows a "conventional" pedagogic strategy for self-study online courses, with text and video content, and some interactive content. There are no assessment components other than quizzes, and no built-in oportunities for peer dialogue or feedback.

WOLF contains the following sections:

1. Mindset & essentials:
   1. Design your study space;
   2. Planning for blended learning;
   3. Wellbeing, safety, security and online etiquette;
   4. Essential techniques (including using Teams effectively, online collaboration, communicating effectively, using lecture recordings, technology-enhanced critical reading, assessing the quality of online sources).
2. Technology tools for learning:
   1. Warwick software, technology tools and digital skills;
   2. Communication and collaboration online (tools);
   3. Searching for information.
3. Further resources and support.

Library-provided courses

To be investigated.

Student Opportunity courses

To be investigated.

Students' Union courses and opportuniities

To be investigated.

Warwick Innovation District courses and initiatives

To be investigated.

Online Skills Development Opportunities

To be investigated. The Coursera pilot may usefully extend what we have available.

Communities of Practice

The VR Club is open to all members of the University, and from July 2021 will be running events where members can learn about VR and AR. More information. Join in Teams.