Information and Media Literacy Toolkit
In his second budget address, Governor Josh Shapiro charged the Department of Education and our Office of Commonwealth Libraries with developing resources to help schools incorporate information literacy into all aspects of learning so that our youngest Pennsylvanians have the skills to navigate the world around them. As more and more Pennsylvanians turn to digital sources for news and information, it’s more important than ever that students be equipped with the skills to discern between fact and fiction online. Information literacy is a vital component of the high-quality academic standards taught across the Commonwealth. These new resources will not replace those standards. Rather, we will provide tools that schools can use to enhance existing lessons and empower the next generation of Pennsylvanians.
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Overview/Rationale
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National Events
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Commonwealth Resources
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Organizations/Online Communities
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Guides/Manuals
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Educator Resources
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Digital Citizenship Resources
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Fact-Checking Tools
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Family Resources
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Key Terminology
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In his second budget address, Governor Josh Shapiro charged the Department of Education and our Office of Commonwealth Libraries with developing resources to help schools incorporate information literacy into all aspects of learning so that our youngest Pennsylvanians have the skills to navigate the world around them. As more and more Pennsylvanians turn to digital sources for news and information, it’s more important than ever that students be equipped with the skills to discern between fact and fiction online. Information literacy is a vital component of the high-quality academic standards taught across the Commonwealth. These new resources will not replace those standards. Rather, we will provide tools that schools can use to enhance existing lessons and empower the next generation of Pennsylvanians.
In the digital era, media literacy is not just a skill but a necessity. It equips individuals with the ability to navigate the vast and complex media landscape, a skill that is increasingly crucial for personal, social, and professional development. Media literacy involves accessing, analyzing, evaluating, creating, and communicating using digital technologies. This multifaceted competency is not just about making informed decisions but about engaging in critical thinking and actively participating in society. It's about accurately understanding the past, appropriately contextualizing the present, and positively shaping our future.
Media literacy equips individuals with the ability to navigate and make sense of the vast and complex media landscape. This skill is increasingly crucial for personal, social, and professional development. Media literacy involves understanding the dynamics of various digital platforms, recognizing biases, and distinguishing between credible information and misinformation. It also includes the capacity to create and share content responsibly and ethically. As digital media continues to evolve, fostering media literacy is vital for cultivating informed and engaged citizens who can contribute meaningfully to the digital world.
The promotion of digital media literacy is not a solitary endeavor. It's a collective effort led by educational institutions, researchers, and organizations. They are not just developing innovative programs, resources, and policies but also fostering a sense of shared responsibility. By integrating digital media literacy into education and community programs, we ensure that individuals of all ages are equipped to thrive in an increasingly digital and media-saturated environment. This collective effort is not just crucial; it's our shared responsibility to prepare our society for the challenges and opportunities of the digital age.
Information literacy encompasses the following key components:
- Identifying Information Needs: Understanding what information is required to address a particular question or problem.
- Finding Information: Knowing how and where to search for the needed information using various tools and resources, such as libraries, databases, and the internet.
- Evaluating Information: Critically assessing the credibility, relevance, accuracy, and bias of the information sources. This includes understanding the difference between primary and secondary sources and recognizing authoritative versus non-authoritative information.
- Using Information: Ethically and effectively applying the gathered information to create new knowledge, make decisions, solve problems, or communicate findings. This also involves proper citation and understanding intellectual property rights to avoid plagiarism.
- Communicating Information: Sharing information in an appropriate format, such as written, oral, or multimedia, tailored to the intended audience.
Information literacy is essential in academic, professional, and personal contexts, helping individuals navigate the vast amount of information available in the digital age. It supports critical thinking, informed decision-making, and lifelong learning, enabling individuals to be more effective and responsible consumers and creators of information.
NOTE: PDE staff have reviewed the sites identified here; however, educators are advised to preview them for appropriateness for their respective classrooms. The mention of trade names, commercial products, or organizations does not imply endorsement by PDE.