Session 3: Understanding how digital curation, creation and sharing can be used as communication tool for the results of the applied research in VET assignment

Learning Objectives:

• Promote the role of digital curation as communication tool for the results of the applied research in VET
• Interpret the exploitation of digital learning content as a process of curation, creation and sharing through a critical approach
• Define digital curation

Digital curation, creation, and sharing play a pivotal role in communicating the results of applied research in Vocational Education and Training (VET) assignments. These processes ensure that research findings are effectively disseminated to stakeholders, including educators, students, industry partners, and policymakers.

Digital curation in VET involves the careful selection, organization, and management of digital resources to support and enhance educational outcomes.

1. 1. How digital curation can be effectively applied research in VET?
      1. Enhances Learning:
         • Curated digital resources provide up-to-date, relevant, and high-quality information that enriches the learning experience.
         • Students have access to a wide range of materials, including multimedia content, which caters to different learning styles.
      2. Supports Intructors:
         • Helps educators find and organize teaching materials efficiently.
         • Facilitates the integration of industry-specific knowledge and skills into the curriculum.
      3. Connects Theory and Practice:
         • Provides access to real-world examples, case studies, and industry practices.
         • Bridges the gap between academic concepts and practical applications.
   2. Which are the main recommended tools for digital curation in VET?
      1. Content Curation Platforms:
         • Scoop.it: For discovering, curating, and sharing relevant content.
         • Pearltrees: For organizing and visualizing curated content.
         • Diigo: For bookmarking, highlighting, and annotating web resources.
      2. Learning Management Systems (LMS):
         • Moodle: Open-source LMS for creating and managing digital resources.
         • Canvas: A user-friendly LMS that supports integration with various digital tools.
         • Blackboard: An LMS with robust features for content curation and delivery.
      3. Collaboration and Communication Tools:
         • Google Workspace: For collaborative document creation and sharing.
         • Microsoft Teams: For organizing resources, collaborating, and communicating with students.
         • Slack: For creating channels dedicated to specific topics or projects.
      4. Content Creation and Multimedia Tools
         • Canva: for creating engaging visual summaries of research findings or key points from resources.
         • H5P: for developing interactive learning modules that incorporate curated content.
         • Camtasia: for creating tutorial videos or recorded presentations that integrate curated materials.
      5. Bookmarking and Annotation Tools
         • Evernote: for collecting and annotating research articles, industry reports, and other resources.
         • Pocket: for curating a personal library of resources to be reviewed and organized at a later time.
         • Zotero: for collecting, organizing, citing, and sharing research materials directly from websites, databases, and library catalogs.
      6. Instant Feedback and Facilitating Discussion Tools
         • Miro: for brainstorming, planning, and visualizing ideas.
         • Mentimeter: for creating live polls, quizzes, word clouds, Q&As, and more.
         • AhaSlides: for creating interactive presentations, live polls, quizzes, Q&A sessions, and surveys.
         • Mural: for visual thinking and teamwork, brainstorm, map out processes with features like sticky notes, diagramming tools, and real-time collaboration.
      7. Specialized Content Curator Tools
         • Wakelet: for creating resource collections around specific topics or projects, which can be shared with students and colleagues
         • Flipboard: for compiling and presenting curated content in an engaging, magazine-style format.

Kenneth KO Irenoa. “The Role of Digital Curation in Enhancing Scholarly Research Visibility” Global Review of Library and Information Science Vol. 16 (2020) p. 58 – 66 ISSN: 34280-009

The marked upshift in digital content due to the impact of technologies are well documented. Adapting to the new information seeking patterns and expectations require that information professionals keep abreast of the changes and leverage on the technologies to keep the age-old role as memory of the society. This paper attempts to define and describe digital curation, an emerging field of theory and practice that embraces digital preservation, data curation, and management of information assets over their lifecycle. It dissects key issues and debates in the area while arguing that digital curation is a vital strategy for enhancing research visibility. The paper recommends proper packaging and publicity for research; funding agencies should impose data sharing and managing funded projects; and the need to design and implement data management and curation programs to help improve dataset fidelity and preservation for the future.

Article

Creating an effective workflow for digital curation to communicate the results of applied research in VET involves several key steps. This workflow ensures that research findings are collected, organized, and disseminated in a way that maximizes their impact and accessibility.

Workflow for communicating Applied Research Results in VET through Digital Curating – Key Activities:

Step 1: Define Objectives and Audience

Objectives:

• Clearly define the goals for communicating the research results (e.g., influencing policy, informing practice, enhancing curriculum).
• Establish the key messages and outcomes you want to achieve.

Audience:

• Identify the primary audience for the research results (e.g., educators, students, industry partners, policymakers).
• Understand their needs, preferences, and how they will use the information.

Step 2: Gather and Select Relevant Content
Sources:

• Academic journals, conference papers, and industry reports related to the VET field.
• Multimedia content such as videos, podcasts, and webinars.
• Case studies and real-world examples from industry partners.

Criteria for Selection:

• Relevance to the research objectives and audience needs.
• Credibility and reliability of the sources.
• Up-to-date information reflecting current industry standards and practices.

Step 3: Organize and Annotate Content
Categorization:

• Organize content into categories based on themes, topics, or research findings.
• Use a structured format (e.g., folders, tags) for easy navigation and retrieval.

Annotations:

• Provide summaries and key points for each resource.
• Highlight the significance of each resource in relation to the research findings.
• Include context on how the resource can be applied in VET practice or policy.

Step 4: Create Engaging and Accessible Content
Formats:

• Develop comprehensive reports and whitepapers that detail the research findings.
• Create infographics and data visualizations to present key data points clearly.
• Produce multimedia content such as videos and interactive modules for diverse learning styles.

Accessibility:

• Ensure all content follows Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles.
• Provide translations or subtitles for non-native speakers and individuals with disabilities.

Step 5: Disseminate Through Appropriate Channels
Platforms:

• LMS (Learning Management Systems): Use platforms like Moodle, Blackboard, or Canvas to share detailed reports and interactive modules.
• Professional Networks: Share findings through LinkedIn, ResearchGate, and academic forums.
• Social Media: Use Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for broader dissemination and engagement.

Tools:

• Email Newsletters: Send regular updates and summaries to stakeholders.
• Webinars and Online Workshops: Host live sessions to discuss findings and engage with the audience.

Step 6: Engage with the Community
Feedback Mechanisms:

• Create online discussion forums or social media groups to facilitate dialogue.
• Use surveys and polls to gather feedback and suggestions.

Interactive Sessions:

• Organize Q&A sessions, panel discussions, or live chats to answer questions and discuss implications.

Step 7: Monitor and Evaluate
Analytics:

• Track engagement metrics (e.g., views, downloads, shares) to assess the reach and impact of the curated content.
• Monitor feedback and participation in discussions to gauge audience response.

Continuous Improvement:

• Regularly update content based on feedback and new developments in the field.
• Adjust strategies and tools to improve the effectiveness of communication efforts.

Activity 3: Case Study of the digital curation platform Storify to explore how curation works in the classroom
In today’s hypermedia landscape, teenagers and young adults increasingly use social media platforms, online aggregators and mobile applications for their daily information needs. Communication educators, armed with a plethora of free, easy-to-use online tools, have the opportunity to create dynamic approaches to teaching and learning about online information and communication flows. The paper explores the concept of curation as a student-centred and creative pedagogical tool to enhance digital and media literacy education. It provides a theoretical rationale for curation and presents six key ways in which curation can be used to teach critical thinking, analysis and expression online. It uses a case study of the digital curation platform Storify to explore how curation works in the classroom, and presents a framework for integrating curation pedagogy into the core learning outcomes of media literacy education.

Article