The Swinburne University of Technology has recently announced that it will be the first university in Australia to achieve Adobe Creative Campus status.
According to a recent press release, the University is joining an exclusive group of approximately 20 universities and colleges across the United States and South Korea.
Digital literacy for the students
This group shares a commitment to ensuring the students, have the digital literacy skills required in today’s digital world.
The University’s approach to digital literacies guarantees that students are provided with the awareness, abilities and confidence to use digital technologies in order to work with data, create content, solve problems, and communicate effectively.
The University’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic) explained that being an Adobe Creative Campus will enable students to excel in digital literacy and enhance their employability with fundamental skills, which are essential for participation in the future of work.
All the University’s students will have full access on all devices to Adobe Creative Cloud starting late November 2019.
This is a collection of the world’s best applications and services used for graphic design, video editing, web development and photography.
Background of the initiative
Graduates and employees require digital skills to be productive in the workforce of the future and aligned to the growing digital economy and society.
The Australian Industry Group’s Workforce Development Needs Survey Report has highlighted digital literacies as an essential foundational skill as businesses adapt to new technologies and digitally enabled environments.
Businesses are facing new demands on their workforce capabilities and cultures as they adapt to new digital technologies.
The education sector must adapt quickly to the changing needs of the digital economy to ensure graduate employability and successful, future-focused businesses.
How it will work
Digital literacy capabilities will be embedded within the University’s courses, including innovations to learning activities and assessment tasks enabled through the Creative Cloud applications.
Visual, audio and animation skills will be developed to advance students’ creative and persuasive digital communications expertise.
The digital literacies program and the Adobe Creative Campus will support the transformation of learning and assessment through the use of innovative video, audio and digital presentation formats.
A Digital Literacies Hub will be constructed in the library precinct for staff and students to access one-on-one training in the company’s products from student digital coaches.
Collaboration is key
The University has a key focus on technology, innovation, digital literacy and the future of work with its expertise in the fourth industrial revolution and rapid technological change.
The company, meanwhile, is supporting the appointment of a professorial position to lead scholarship, research and innovation in digital literacies education, complementing other specialist centres at the University.
These centres include the Data for Social Good Cloud Innovation Centre and the Centre for the New Workforce.
Moreover, the company recognises the value of teaching digital literacy skills in higher education by preparing students for success in the classroom and in the modern economy.
By collaborating with institutions around the world that align on similar student outcomes, the University serves as an example to other academic leaders that are looking to transform education and drive innovation.