Information & Digital Literacy for University Success from Coursera

This Specialization is aimed at preparing students for undergraduate study in an English-speaking university. The course equips you for full participation and engagement with your studies by building awareness and understanding of the core values and expectations of academic culture, and providing you with practical strategies to apply to your studies. In this course, you will learn how to develop your Information & Digital Literacy Skills to help you achieve success in your university studies. After completing this course, you will be able to:

1. Access and search for information efficiently and effectively using a variety of digital tools.

2. Critically evaluate the reliability of sources for an academic context.

3. Filter, manage and organize information from a wide variety of sources for use in academic study.

4. Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues related to academic integrity surrounding the access and use of information.

5. Understand how to use digital tools for referencing and attribution in order to avoid plagiarism.

6. Understand how to disseminate and communicate information in a professional way, including managing digital identity and building networks for learning and research.

What's inside

Syllabus

Introduction to Information & Digital Literacy at University

After this module you will be able to (1). Understand the structure and expectations of the course (2). Understand expectations about information and digital literacy within academic culture (3). Articulate the skills & dispositions needed to function effectively in the digital space (4). Demonstrate awareness of ethical issues related to academic integrity surrounding the access and use of information

Traffic lights

Read about what's good

what should give you pause

and possible dealbreakers

Emphasizes ethical use of information in academia

Suitable for students preparing for university study in an English-speaking context

Builds essential skills for navigating and utilizing digital resources in higher education

Provides strategies for managing, organizing, and referencing information

Covers topics relevant to academic integrity and avoiding plagiarism

May require additional software and resources that learners need to purchase

Reviews summary

Practical digital skills for university success

According to learners, this course is extremely useful and highly relevant for preparing for or returning to university. Students highlight its focus on practical skills such as effective searching, critical evaluation, managing information, and especially referencing and avoiding plagiarism. Reviewers consistently praise the course for being well-structured, clear, and easy to follow, providing a good foundation for academic work. While a few mention it might be a little basic for those with prior knowledge, the overall sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, indicating it effectively equips students for university success.

Modules are logical and presented clearly.

"This was an excellent course, very comprehensive and well-structured."

"well-organized and easy to follow. The topics are presented clearly..."

"The structure is logical and easy to follow. Great job!"

Strong focus on proper citation and academic integrity.

"especially appreciated the module on avoiding plagiarism and using digital tools for referencing."

"Covered the basics well, especially the parts on plagiarism and proper sourcing."

"The module on referencing was particularly strong."

Provides essential skills for university work.

"Incredibly helpful and practical course for anyone entering or returning to university."

"The content is highly relevant and directly applicable to academic work."

"Very useful course... It really helped me improve my research and writing skills for university."

Could be too introductory for those with prior knowledge.

"Some parts felt a little basic, but overall a valuable course."

"I felt some of the content was a bit generic. It's a decent starting point..."

"Some modules could perhaps go into slightly more depth, but for an introductory course, it's very effective."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Information & Digital Literacy for University Success with these activities:

Revisit logic concepts

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Sharpen your logical thinking abilities to better grasp the course's foundational concepts.

Browse courses on Logic

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Review propositional and predicate logic
Practice applying logical rules and techniques

Read 'Bird by Bird' by Anne Lamott

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Improve your writing style and gain insights into the creative process, both crucial skills for academic success.

View Somehow on Amazon

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Read the book and reflect on Lamott's writing techniques
Apply her strategies to your own writing

Practice Information Literacy Skills

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Sharpen your information literacy skills through regular practice to better navigate the vast amount of information available online.

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Use a search engine effectively to find relevant information.
Evaluate the credibility of online sources using criteria such as authority, currency, and relevance.
Filter and organize information from multiple sources to create a comprehensive understanding.

Five other activities

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Explore Online Resources for Academic Writing

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Enhance your academic writing skills by seeking out tutorials that provide guidance on structure, style, and referencing.

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Identify reliable online resources that offer tutorials on academic writing.
Follow step-by-step instructions to improve your writing skills.
Practice writing different types of academic texts, such as essays and research papers.

Solve practice problems on information retrieval and evaluation

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Enhance your ability to find and assess information effectively, a skill essential for academic research.

Browse courses on Information Retrieval

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Identify different types of information sources
Develop effective search queries
Evaluate the credibility and relevance of sources
Practice synthesizing information from multiple sources

Collaborate on a group project

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Develop teamwork and communication skills while applying course concepts to a practical project.

Browse courses on Group Work

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Form a study group and assign roles
Brainstorm and develop a project idea
Conduct research and gather information
Create and present the project

Write a research proposal

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Gain hands-on experience in developing a research project, a valuable skill for future academic endeavors.

Browse courses on Research Methodology

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Identify a research topic and develop a hypothesis
Review relevant literature and conduct a literature review
Design a research methodology
Write a research proposal

Assist at a university writing center

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Enhance your writing and communication skills while gaining valuable experience helping others.

Browse courses on Writing Skills

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Apply to volunteer at a writing center
Assist students with writing assignments and provide feedback
Attend workshops and training sessions

Career center

Learners who complete Information & Digital Literacy for University Success will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Academic Librarian

An Academic Librarian helps professors, researchers, and students with their research. They work in a variety of academic settings helping people find sources and contextualizing information. This course can help you to become an Academic Librarian because it will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to communicate information in a professional way.

See salaries and explore the career path for Academic Librarian

Information Architect

An Information Architect is responsible for the design and organization of information systems. This involves working with a team of information professionals to ensure that information is easy to find and use. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to manage digital identity and build networks for learning and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Architect

Information Officer

An Information Officer is responsible for managing an organization's information resources. This involves developing and implementing information policies and procedures, as well as providing information services to employees and customers. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to manage digital identity and build networks for learning and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Officer

Knowledge Manager

A Knowledge Manager is responsible for managing an organization's knowledge assets. This involves identifying, capturing, and sharing knowledge within the organization. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to manage digital identity and build networks for learning and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Knowledge Manager

Records Manager

A Records Manager is responsible for managing an organization's records. This involves developing and implementing records policies and procedures, as well as providing records management services to employees and customers. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to manage digital identity and build networks for learning and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Records Manager

Museum curator

A Museum Curator is responsible for managing and preserving a museum's collection of artifacts. This involves working with a team of museum staff to develop and implement museum policies and procedures, as well as providing educational programs to museum visitors. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to manage digital identity and build networks for learning and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Museum curator

Archivist

An Archivist is responsible for preserving and making available a library's or museum's historical documents and artifacts. This includes organizing and cataloging documents, as well as providing access to researchers and the public. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to manage digital identity and build networks for learning and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Archivist

Librarian

A Librarian is responsible for managing and providing access to a library's collection of books, journals, and other resources. This involves working with a team of library staff to develop and implement library policies and procedures, as well as providing reference and research services to library patrons. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to manage digital identity and build networks for learning and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Librarian

Digital Asset Manager

A Digital Asset Manager is responsible for managing an organization's digital assets, including images, videos, and documents. This involves organizing and cataloging assets, as well as ensuring that they are accessible to authorized users. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to manage digital identity and build networks for learning and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Digital Asset Manager

Taxonomist

A Taxonomist is responsible for classifying and organizing living things. This involves working with a team of scientists to develop and implement taxonomic systems. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to manage digital identity and build networks for learning and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Taxonomist

Research Analyst

A Research Analyst is responsible for conducting research and analyzing data to provide insights to businesses and organizations. This information is used to make decisions about product development, marketing, and sales. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to conduct research and analyze data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Analyst

Information Security Analyst

An Information Security Analyst is responsible for protecting an organization's information systems from unauthorized access and attack. This involves working with a team of security professionals to identify and mitigate security risks. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to detect and prevent security breaches.

See salaries and explore the career path for Information Security Analyst

Market Researcher

A Market Researcher is responsible for collecting and analyzing data about consumer behavior. This information is used by businesses to make decisions about product development, marketing, and sales. This course will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to conduct surveys and analyze data.

See salaries and explore the career path for Market Researcher

Database Administrator

A Database Administrator is responsible for the design, maintenance, and performance of an organization's databases. This involves working with a team of database developers and other IT professionals to ensure that the organization's data is secure and accessible. This course can help you to become a Database Administrator because it will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to manage digital identity and build networks for learning and research.

See salaries and explore the career path for Database Administrator

Technical Writer

A Technical Writer is responsible for writing and editing technical documents, such as user manuals, white papers, and training materials. This involves working with a team of engineers and other technical professionals to ensure that the documents are accurate and easy to understand. This course may be useful because it will provide you with the skills you need to access, evaluate, and organize information. You will also learn how to use digital tools to write and edit technical documents.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Writer