Information Literacy from edX

We live in the information age, and we are inundated with information on a daily basis. With so much information coming at us so fast, how do we know what’s true? How do we know which information is real? How can we fact-check what we read and see?

In this class, you will explore the answers to these questions by learning information literacy. You will learn how to evaluate the information you see on the Internet as well as academic information. You will also learn how to access credible sources of information and share that information with others.

In later modules, you will learn about different types of sources, how to develop an academic research question, and how to find scholarly sources on that topic. The course concludes with modules about formally presenting your research, citing it properly, and ensuring academic integrity by avoiding plagiarism.

This course can be used to fulfill the Information Literacy requirement at Thomas Edison State University in the Bachelor of Arts in Computer Science Degree. It will not satisfy the Information Literacy Requirements in any other degrees at TESU.

What you'll learn

The advantages—and hazards—of using information in the 2020s
Evaluating the information you see on the Internet everyday
Evaluating the information you use in college courses
How to access credible sources of information
Best practices for sharing that information with others
The different sources of academic information
How to develop an academic research question
How to find scholarly sources on a topic
Using annotation as a tool for evaluating sources
Properly citing sources using the APA format
Understanding plagiarism and why it must be avoided.

What's inside

Learning objectives

The advantages—and hazards—of using information in the 2020s
Evaluating the information you see on the internet everyday
Evaluating the information you use in college courses
How to access credible sources of information
Best practices for sharing that information with others
The different sources of academic information

How to develop an academic research question
How to find scholarly sources on a topic
Using annotation as a tool for evaluating sources
Properly citing sources using the apa format
Understanding plagiarism and why it must be avoided.

The advantages—and hazards—of using information in the 2020s
Evaluating the information you see on the internet everyday
Evaluating the information you use in college courses
How to access credible sources of information
Best practices for sharing that information with others
The different sources of academic information
How to develop an academic research question
How to find scholarly sources on a topic
Using annotation as a tool for evaluating sources
Properly citing sources using the apa format
Understanding plagiarism and why it must be avoided.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores information literacy, which is essential in today's digital age

Teaches foundational skills for evaluating and using information effectively

Covers a range of information sources, including both academic and internet sources

Provides practical guidance on accessing and sharing credible information

Suitable as a foundation course for academic research, particularly in computer science

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 Literacy with these activities:

Review data evaluation techniques.

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Reflecting on basic techniques for data handling and exploration can help prepare students for the more advanced analytical methods taught in this course.

Browse courses on Data Analysis

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List down the steps involved in evaluating data.
Describe the different types of data evaluation techniques commonly used in your field.
Practice evaluating a sample dataset using the techniques you have reviewed.

Participate in online discussion forums or study groups.

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Engaging with peers can provide students with different perspectives, challenge their assumptions, and deepen their understanding of the course material.

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Join an online discussion forum or study group.
Participate in discussions by asking questions, sharing your insights, and responding to other students.
Attend live online sessions or meetings with your group.

Learn to use a citation manager.

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Becoming proficient in using a citation manager can streamline the research process and help students avoid plagiarism.

Browse courses on Citation Management

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Choose a citation manager software that meets your needs.
Install the citation manager on your computer or device.
Import your references into the citation manager.
Learn the basics of using the citation manager, including how to add citations to your documents.

Two other activities

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Create a research question and outline.

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Developing a well-defined research question and outline can help students stay focused and organized throughout the research process.

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Identify a topic that you are interested in.
Do some preliminary research to learn more about the topic.
Develop a research question that is specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.
Create an outline that organizes your research into logical sections.

Practice evaluating sources for credibility and bias.

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Regular practice in identifying credible sources and recognizing bias can help students make informed decisions about the information they consume.

Browse courses on Source Evaluation

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Identify the different factors that can affect the credibility of a source.
Develop a set of criteria for evaluating sources.
Practice evaluating sources using your criteria.
Discuss your findings with other students.

Career center

Learners who complete Information Literacy will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Archivist

Archivists are responsible for preserving and making accessible historical records. The ability to critically evaluate the authenticity and credibility of information is crucial for all Archivists. Thomas Edison State University's Information Literacy course will teach you how to do just that.

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Research Analyst

Research Analysts provide research and analysis to help businesses and organizations make informed decisions. To become a successful Research Analyst, you will need to be able to evaluate and synthesize information from a variety of sources. The Information Literacy course from Thomas Edison State University will help you master in-depth analysis of information from various sources.

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Information Governance Analyst

Information Governance Analysts help their employers manage and secure their data. To become a successful Information Governance Analyst, you will need to be familiar with a variety of information management best practices, such as information classification and access controls. Thomas Edison State University's Information Literacy course can help you build a foundation in these best practices.

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Librarian

Librarians assist patrons with finding information and resources. To become a successful Librarian, you will need to be able to evaluate and select resources. Thomas Edison State University's Information Literacy course will teach you how to evaluate information in different formats.

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Information Security Manager

Information Security Managers work to protect their employer's data from breaches and information loss. To become a successful Information Security Manager, you will need to be able to evaluate and select security measures based on your organization's risk tolerance. The Information Literacy course from Thomas Edison State University teaches techniques for evaluating information, which can be translated into the skill of evaluating security measures.

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Information Architect

Information Architects help businesses organize their website content in a way that's easy for visitors to find what they're looking for. To become a successful Information Architect, you will need to be able to evaluate and structure information in a way that is easy to find. Thomas Edison State University's Information Literacy course will help you develop these skills.

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Records Manager

Records Managers are responsible for the management of an organization's records. To become a successful Records Manager, you will need to be able to evaluate and classify records. The Information Literacy course from Thomas Edison State University will teach you how to evaluate information, which will help you in evaluating and classifying records.

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Information Systems Manager

Information Systems Managers are responsible for the planning, implementation, and maintenance of an organization's computer systems. The material taught in Thomas Edison University's Information Literacy course can help Information Systems Managers make the best decisions for their organization's systems and protect against loss of information or data breaches.

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Information Technology Auditor

Information Technology Auditors assess an organization's IT systems and infrastructure for security vulnerabilities. To become a successful Information Technology Auditor, you will need to have a strong understanding of industry standards. The Information Literacy course focuses heavily on evaluating information from academic sources. This experience will help you learn how to evaluate industry standards, which is essential for a successful Information Technology Auditor.

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Data Scientist

Data Scientists develop machine learning algorithms and other data-driven solutions to solve business problems. To become a successful Data Scientist, you will need a deep understanding of algorithms and statistics, which are both used in the Information Literacy course. By mastering the material covered in this course, you will develop a solid foundation in the skills employers seek in Data Scientists.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts use data to help their organizations make better decisions. To become a successful Data Analyst, you will need to be able to process large amounts of data and identify trends. As part of the Information Literacy course, you will process large amounts of academic information and identify trends. This will help you develop a foundation in the skills employers seek in Data Analysts.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators install and maintain databases used by organizations to manage information. To become a successful Database Administrator, you must be able to understand and evaluate the needs of an organization and determine the best database solution. Thomas Edison State University's Information Literacy course will help you learn to evaluate information, a skill that can be used to make the right choices for your organization's databases

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Knowledge Manager

Knowledge Managers develop and implement knowledge management systems and processes. The Information Literacy course from Thomas Edison State University can be a helpful addition to a Knowledge Manager's education. The course offers an overview of key concepts in knowledge management and would be a helpful starting point for persons new to the field.

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Data Engineer

Data Engineers develop and maintain the infrastructure that supports data-driven applications. The Information Literacy course at Thomas Edison State University may be useful to Data Engineers as it provides an introduction to data management concepts and processes. This knowledge can be helpful in understanding the data landscape

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Web Developer

Web Developers design and develop websites. While the Information Literacy course from Thomas Edison State University does not focus on web design or development specifically, it does provide a foundation in information management and evaluation that could be useful for Web Developers.

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Information Literacy

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