VALA2022 Onsite Session 20 Ahearne

Learning together: four principles for digital literacy learning in libraries

VALA2022 CONCURRENT 20

Thursday 16 June 2022, 09:15 – 09:45

Teishan Ahearne
  • eLearning and New Technologies Facilitator
  • Moreland City Libraries

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Read the paper and view the presentation recording and slides here:

Abstract

In an increasingly online world, where inequalities have been amplified by COVID-19, public libraries play a crucial role in addressing the digital divide. This paper argues that libraries must look to theory and practice in other fields to develop pedagogically sound digital literacy programs that authentically respond to community need. Drawing on Paulo Freire, Lev Vygotsky and work experience, I developed the Four Principles for Digital Literacy Learning in Libraries. The principles do not dictate the type of library programming but rather guide the pedagogical approach and are intended to be practical and easily applicable.

Biography

Teishan Ahearne is a library worker and media trainer who has a passion for learning and empowering communities. Teishan is the eLearning and New Technology Facilitator at Moreland City Libraries where they coordinated Moreland’s digital literacy programming. Teishan has worked with both adults and youth to support them learning technology in a variety of settings including public libraries, community radio, and community projects.

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported License