Resources for Information Literacy Skills

Identifies a problem to be solved, draws upon existing knowledge to select the online sources of information needed, and outlines the steps to reach the goal. (IL 4.1.2)

Solving Real-Life Problems in Excel (GCF Global): View a short video on how to use Excel formulas to solve real-life problems.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free, online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click here to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.1: Compares Online Search Results with Objectives. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.

Identifies a problem to be solved, selects information from a wide variety of online sources, and establishes an organized approach to reaching goals, reflecting upon the process and adjusting as necessary. (IL 4.1.3)

Putting Information Together (GCF Global): Read an article with tips for organizing your thoughts and examining and improving your thought process. View a video on how to synthesize information.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.1: Compares Online Search Results with Objectives. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.

Uses basic search strategies with increasing independence to complete a search for information relevant to goals. (IL 4.2.2)

Get More out of Google Search (GCF Global): Read an article and watch a video on how to use features such as autocomplete and the tools function to make your Google search more effective.

Google Search for Beginners (Google Applied Digital Skills): Follow a lesson plan to deliver this video-based lesson on how to complete a Google search.

Digital Literacy: Workplace Safety Lesson Plan (Teaching Skills that Matter Digital Literacy): This lesson plan includes having students perform a Google image search. It also includes instructions on formatting a Google Doc and sharing a Google Doc with their peers.

Beginner 1: Picking the right search terms (Google Search Education): This slide deck supports a lesson on how to complete a basic Google search. Instructors can use the slides in a lesson or share with a learner to work through independently.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.2: Optimizes Online Search Strategies. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.

Uses advanced search strategies to find information relevant to goals. (IL 4.2.3)

Search the Internet (WiscOnline Basic Computer Skills MOOC): Complete an interactive learning module on search techniques including recognizing ads, using keywords, and using search operators.

Hidden Features of Google Search (GCF Global): Read an article and view a video about advanced Google search features such as the “Near me” function or various calculators and weather applications.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.2: Optimizes Online Search Strategies. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.

Describes the qualities of reliable and unreliable online information, discriminating between sources with increasing independence. (IL 4.3.2)

Search the Internet (WiscOnline Basic Computer Skills MOOC): Complete an interactive learning module on how to determine the credibility of information that has been found online.

Challenging Confirmation Bias (Common Sense Education): Follow a lesson plan on how to define confirmation bias, explore examples of it, and identify strategies to challenge personal confirmation biases.

Finding Credible News (Common Sense Education): Follow a lesson plan that challenges learners to assess the reliability of several pieces of news.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.3: Assesses Reliability of Search Results. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.

Assesses the reliability of a wide variety of online information sources, using multiple points of reference to assess the reliability of any given piece of information. (IL 4.3.3)

Digital Media Literacy (GCF Global): Read a sequence of articles on how to read media critically, with topics such as evaluating information, media, social media, and smartphones.

Hoaxes and Fakes (Common Sense Education): Follow a lesson plan that leads students through a series of steps they can take to investigate if a video found online is reputable or fake.

Filter Bubble Trouble (Common Sense Education): Follow a lesson plan that helps learners define a “filter bubble” or “echo chamber” and identify ways to avoid filter bubbles in their own online experience.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.3: Assesses Reliability of Search Results. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.

Employs two to three pieces of information found online to expand content knowledge, make a claim that is supported with evidence, or create a unique artifact. (IL 4.4.2)

Create a Presentation “All About a Topic” (Google Applied Digital Skills): Follow a lesson plan that guides learners through a video-based lesson on how to create a Google Slides presentation on a topic of their choosing, including how to integrate text and images (both online and uploaded).

Lesson 2: Explore a Topic with Research and Collaboration (Google Applied Digital Skills): View a series of short videos that guide learners on how to search for information online, record found resources, and apply the research in a short writing assignment.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.4: Demonstrates Expanded Topic Knowledge. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.

Employs several pieces of information they have found online, drawing from a variety of sources to expand their understanding of a topic, make a claim that is supported with evidence, or create a unique artifact. (IL 4.4.3)

Design an Infographic in Google Drawings (Google Applied Digital Skills): Follow a lesson plan that guides learners through a video-based lesson on the process of finding relevant data and representing it in an original infographic.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.4: Demonstrates Expanded Topic Knowledge. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.

Identifies and gives credit to the owner of a piece of information found online. (IL 4.5.2)

What is Plagiarism? (GCF Global): Read an article and view a short video that defines plagiarism and provides information on how to cite sources.

Research and Citation Resources (Purdue Online Writing Lab): Access a variety of resources that provide guidance on conducting research and citing resources.

Should I Cite This? (Purdue Online Writing Lab): Read an infographic with information on when a source needs a citation.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.5: Complies with Intellectual Property Controls. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.

Identifies and gives credit for a piece of information found online, in addition to modifying or repurposing it (where licensing allows). (IL 4.5.3)

Copyright and Fair Use (GCF Global): Read an article and view a video with an explanation of copyright, Creative Commons licensing, and fair use.

Using Creative Commons Content (GCF Global): Read an article and view a video that describes where and how Creative Commons materials can be used.

The Four Factors of Fair Use (Common Sense Education): Follow a lesson plan on how to define “copyright,” “public domain,” and “fair use;” explore the four factors of fair use; and evaluate scenarios for the application of fair use.

Digitally shares a piece of information or novel creation with a predefined or self-defined audience, using cause and effect to predict the potential impact of what is being shared. (IL 4.6.2)

Social Media Privacy Basics (GCF Global): Read an article and watch a video about how to control the audience for something posted on a social media site.

We are Civil Communicators (Common Sense Education): Follow a lesson plan that defines civil discourse and how it applies on the internet, aids learners in analyzing the cause/effect of uncivil discourse, and suggests strategies for applying civil discourse online.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.6: Shares Online Content Appropriately. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.

Identifies potential digital audiences for a piece of information or novel creation, demonstrating the ability to limit with whom the information or creation is shared. (IL 4.6.3)

Connecting with Digital Audiences (Common Sense Education): Follow a lesson plan that explores code-switching online, identifying audiences, and the different ways code-switching can possibly enhance communication.

Google Applied Skills (Google): Google’s Applied Digital Skills is a free online digital skills curriculum. The Applied Digital Skills curriculum uses a series of videos to guide learners through creating a project from scratch using various Google apps. Click the link to see which Google Applied Digital Skills Lessons align with PA Digital Skill 4.6: Shares Online Content Appropriately. Look across the row for each lesson to see other skills and subject areas addressed by the lesson. Click on a lesson title in the first column of the spreadsheet to view the lesson. Instructors may want to review the Get Started Guide before using these lessons with students.