Explore the Impact of Digital Technologies on Scholarly Practice – A Free Course

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Digital scholarship is a shorthand for the intersection of three technology-related developments: digital content, networked distribution and open practices. It is when digital, networked and open intersect that transformational practice occurs. In the Open University free course, “The Digital Scholar“, you will explore the impact of digital technologies on scholarly practice.

The course lasts about 8 weeks, with approximately 3 hours’ study time each week. You can work through the course at your own pace, so if you have more time one week there is no problem with pushing on to complete another week’s study. You can also take as long as you want to complete it.

The Digital Scholar Course Content

The course includes the following topics:

What is meant by the term ‘digital scholarship’;
Boyer’s scholarship framework;
New approaches to research afforded by digital scholarship;
How digital, networked technology can influence public engagement;
The influence of the recent MOOC development.

If you complete the course you can gain a digital badge and a Statement of Participation as a record of your achievement. Digital badges are a new way of demonstrating online that you have gained a skill. Schools, colleges and universities are working with employers and other organizations to develop open badges that help learners gain recognition for their skills, and support employers to identify the right candidate for a job.