Taxonomy for the Design and Development of Learning Environments to Enhance Digital Literacy in Higher Education

Digital Literacy is widely considered to be an essential attribute for both academic and professional success. In an increasingly regulated and standards-based higher education environment, however, there is a lack of clear guidance as to what constitutes the nature of appropriate level of Digital Literacy that graduates need to demonstrate. This paper argues for the designing framework for developing a learning environment to enhance Digital Literacy in the higher education curriculum, which can then be applied to student activities and the curriculum. This process can be used to assist academics in identifying the literacy requirements of their courses, their own opportunities for professional development and the creation of appropriate classroom pedagogies. The present study found that the taxonomy for the design and development of learning environments constituted elements of learning environments which facilitated students creation of knowledge. Such taxonomy also consisted of elements of Digital Literacy which were learning tasks which helped students enhance Digital Literacy.