Gettysburg College

Johnson Center for Creative Teaching and Learning

Johnson Digital Literacy Assignment Grant

2017-2018 Application Form

The Johnson Digital Literacy Assignment Grant is designed for faculty who wish to enhance a course to include a digital literacy assignment. The assignment should allow students to explore the digital presentation of information and the ways that digital tools can be an effective part of the research process or the presentation of research results. The assignment may be a new one or a reworking of an existing one. Its designand assessment must connect directly to a student learning outcome for the course that addresses the value of digital literacy.

The grant provides a $500 stipend for the recipient and consultation with librarians on Musselman Library’s Digital Scholarship Committee. In addition, the JCCTL will pay for up to 20 hours of support by a Digital Scholarship Fellow. Fellows are students trained in the use of digital toolsavailable on the Gettysburg Sites online platform through the Library’s summer program. More information on digital scholarship and the Digital Scholarship program may be found here:

Prior to submission, applicants must meet with a member of the Digital Scholarship Committee to discuss the assignment, its goals and connection to the course’s student learning outcomes, appropriate digital tools, what kinds of source materials will be used, and any issues relating to copyright that may arise. The role of the Digital Scholarship Fellow will also be discussed.

  • R.C. Miessler, Systems Librarian and Committee Chair: or x7020.
  • Clint Baugess, Research & Instruction Librarian, or x7011.
  • Janelle Wertzberger, Assistant Dean and Director of Scholarly Communications: or x7010.

In addition, applicants may choose to meet with one of the Instructional Technologists to discuss Gettysburg Sites, technology training and support, or digital literacy goals.

  • Sharon Birch, Senior Instructional Technologist and Instructional Designer: or x6990.
  • Eric Remy, Director of Educational Technology: or x 6958.

This application can be saved as a Word document for editing.Please type your answers under each heading.Submit your application as a PDF attachment via email to Paula Baer at . Application deadline is March 31, 2017. The Chair’s endorsement letter is due within five days of this deadline.

1. Name

2. Department/Program

3. Semester during which the course will be taught: Fall 2017 Spring 2018
Do you plan to work on the project during Summer 2017?

4. Narrative Description of the Teaching Project (max. 2000 words)

Describe the project, being sure to address all items listed below. As part of your answer,

  • Discuss why you want to include a digital assignment in your course.
  • Explain how the use of digital tools relates to your student learning outcomes for the course and assignments.
  • Describe how your collaboration with a member of Musselman Library’s Digital Scholarship Committee and a Digital Scholarship Fellow will inform or enhance the course and the assignment.
  • Explain how you plan to use the skills of the Digital Scholarship Fellow. Please note that the Digital Scholarship Fellow can devote up to 20 hours during the semester to your course. Those hours should be spent on some aspect of the digital literacy assignment.

a. Pedagogy

What is distinctive about the assignment pedagogically? Candidates should explain clearly how the pedagogy is creative or innovative and moves beyond their usual practice.

b. Impact

What is the short-term and long-term impact the project will have on your students? How will you measure this impact? How will receiving this grant and bringing the project to a successful completion affect your teaching? Be as specific as possible.

c. Consultation and Background Research

Applicants should describe the outcome of their consultation with a member of the Digital Scholarship Committee. Describe any background research that has been conducted to inform the student learning outcomes, assignment design, and pedagogy in addition to the required consultation.

d. Assessment

How will you assess whether student learning outcomes related to the assignment have been achieved? In addition, please describe how you will share your assessment results with the Digital Scholarship Committee as part of the collaboration.

e. Reporting

The final report on the project may be posted to the JCCTL’s website and the Library’s website. Grant recipients typically discuss the project and its outcome at a JCCTL lunch or “In the Classroom” discussion. In what other way(s) will you disseminate the results of this project?

f. Timeline

Provide an approximate timeline for the project, including time spent consulting with a member of the Digital Scholarship Committee, evaluating and selecting digital tools and assets, meeting with the Digital Scholarship Fellow, and designing the assignment and associated assessment strategies. Please indicate when you would plan to work with a Digital Scholarship Fellow.

g. Unusual Logistical Problems

Are there any special considerations regarding implementing this project? If so, how have they been addressed?

h. College Resources and Facilities

Are any College facilities or resources necessary for the successful completion of the project other than those provided by the Library?Have you confirmed that all necessary resources will be available?.

5. Chair’s Letter

A letter of endorsement from your department/program chair is required. The letter should comment on the merits of the project and confirm what, if anything, the department or program can contribute in support of the project. The chair’s letter is helpful to the review process but chairs should feel free to keep their letters succinct. If the grant applicant is the current chair, the letter only needs to confirm the departmental contribution to the project. The chair’s letter may accompany this application or be submitted separately to Paula Baer within five days of grant submission.

A final report must be submitted within 30 days of completion.Future application for all JCCTL awards will be contingent upon submission of reports for previous funding.

Revised 2/20/2017

JAH/pjb