module specification

CU4056 - Digital Skills (2024/25)

Module specification Module approved to run in 2024/25
Module title Digital Skills
Module level Certificate (04)
Credit rating for module 15
School School of Computing and Digital Media
Total study hours 150
 
60 hours Assessment Preparation / Delivery
54 hours Guided independent study
36 hours Scheduled learning & teaching activities
Assessment components
Type Weighting Qualifying mark Description
Coursework 100% 40 Create artefacts for a client-specified brief utilizing relevant software.
Running in 2024/25

(Please note that module timeslots are subject to change)
Period Campus Day Time Module Leader
Spring semester North Thursday Afternoon

Module summary

In this module, you will be introduced to the creative digital skills required for an undergraduate degree and career path in the creative industries, digital media, and journalism.

This digital literacy module provides an introduction to the software and practical skills required to produce a creative online presence and build a professional profile. You will be encouraged to develop your media practice utilising a range of tools and software packages.  These skills in image production, for game and web design, desktop publishing and micro-blogging will be utilised in the development and presentation of CV's, promotional materials, posters, and flyers. The work you do on this module will be presented in a portfolio of digital practice and expertise, and you will additionally develop important skills in managing data and media assets in creative digital packages.

You will be introduced to key aspects and notions of employability. You will make use of these skills, knowledge, and understanding to plan and develop your career. You will reflect on your personal attributes, and examine the essential skills demanded of your favoured occupation. You will be encouraged to make use of these skills and knowledge to begin building your professional network and to formally and systematically consider your career development goals and strategies.

You will explore the ways in which digital media has transformed the nature of work and the development of careers. You will be encouraged to employ critical methods in the understanding of and analysis of digital media in the workplace context and explore opportunities for developing digital and media careers.


This module aims to:
• Equip you with the digital skills needed to prepare and present your work in the appropriate manner for your chosen field.
• Develop data and file management skills fundamental to the creative and media industries.
• Develop reflective practices by reviewing the needs of a design brief.
• Build confidence working with digital files, applying a range of document design and editing techniques.
• Allow you to better present your work for its intended audience.

Syllabus

• Digital cultures: practices of participation and sharing
• New working practices in the digital age (remote working; virtual work; portfolio careers etc)
• Visual and information literacy
• Aesthetics and visual language
• Designing for a specific target audience
• Managing the design process and working to a brief
• Copyright and attribution
• An introduction to the Adobe Software suite
• Digital imaging, e.g., Photoshop for image creation and picture editing,
• Web design - an introduction to HTML and CSS and how these drive the creation of WordPress websites
• Desktop Publishing e.g., In Design, to develop material for print and online presentation
• Professional social networking websites e.g., LinkedIn, developing a professional profile
• Professional portfolio presentation platforms e.g., ArtStation, DeviantArt, presenting work for feedback and comments
• Professional microblogging technologies e.g., X, posting, and sharing content relevant to developing professional profile and networking
• Digital marketing and entrepreneurship - e.g., the creative use of images in email and blog posts for digital marketing and informational purposes

Balance of independent study and scheduled teaching activity

Teaching and learning will be carried out through seminars (1 hour) and workshops (2 hour). During seminars students are introduced to specific principles and techniques. These principles and techniques will be explored further through practical workshops.
In addition to this contact time students are expected to spend a significant number of hours carrying out research connected with the subject, reading bibliographic and course materials, practising their software skills and working on assignments.
Appropriate blended learning approaches and technologies, such as, the University’s VLE and online tools, will be used to facilitate and support student learning, specifically to:
• Deliver content;
• Encourage active learning;
• Provide formative and summative assessments, and prompt feedback;
• Enhance student engagement and learning experience.
Effective digital image making requires the proficient practitioner to be both self-reflective and constructively critical. The digital image maker needs to be able to apply this understanding to their own work and the work of others.  The development of these skills is embedded into the module

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:

LO1. Respond appropriately and creatively to client briefs, to carry out research and to plan and schedule project work.
LO2. Informed by digital working practices, manage the design process. Understand the differences between and make use of relevant software. To produce and manipulate images, layouts and typography utilising the relevant software.
LO3. Apply a critical awareness of visual language and digital software tools and an understanding of visual signification and communication in image production.

Bibliography