digital literacy

Submitted by Lauren deLaubell on January 17th, 2025
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Short Description: 

The most powerful wizards have gathered to battle one another.  Only one will win.  Wizards must use reliable sources to research incantations for the battle, or their spells will fizzle.  Truly wise wizards must learn to tell the difference. 

Research Wizards is an information literacy card game designed to teach students ages 12+ about source evaluation.  Research Wizards corresponds to the Frame Authority Is Constructed and Contextual, from the ACRL Framework for Information Literacy for Higher Education.  Players will discuss and challenge the relative value of various sources, each representing a different suit in the game.  The game includes four major actions/phases:  Parley, when players discuss and decide for themselves the relative value of each suit; Battle, which includes competition, player actions, and Challenges; Vengeance, for eliminated players to impact and speed up the remainder of the game; and Victory.

The Research Wizards website contains free game files, player directions, and printing tips for librarians and teachers who wish to use the game in their classrooms.  The website includes an editable, Microsoft Publisher version of the game.  Noncommercial use of the game is free for educational purposes with attribution to the author.  Librarians and teachers are encouraged to adapt the game as needed for their subject areas, student needs, and as the sources in the game evolve over time.  Adaptations must be shared under the same terms.

Players:  3-5 per deck

Play Time:  20-30 minutes, plus discussion

Research Wizards by Lauren deLaubell is licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0  To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Player directionsdisplayed 1592 times1.02 MB
Printing tipsdisplayed 1509 times26.71 KB
Card deckdisplayed 1550 times2.51 MB
Learning Outcomes: 
    • Wizards will define a variety of traditional and emerging information formats.
    • Wizards will compare a variety of information formats and discuss their relative reliability.
    • Wizards will explore the variation in quality found within specific categories of information (e.g., the wildcard of using resources located by or generated with artificial intelligence).

Individual or Group:

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

It is recommended to review directions out loud with students, with pauses for students to sort their decks and conduct the Parley phase of play.  To contextualize and reinforce learning, it is recommended to conclude the game with discussion questions; sample questions are provided at the bottom of the player directions file but may be adjusted as needed.

Suggested Citation: 
deLaubell, Lauren. "Research Wizards." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2025. https://projectcora.org/assignment/research-wizards.

Teaching Resource

Informationliteracy.gov disseminates successful practices, tools, and programs related to financial, health, digital, and other information literacy subject areas.

Submitted by Sarah Hartman-Caverly on December 20th, 2023
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Short Description: 

The Hidden Layer Workshop introduces key generative AI (genAI) concepts through a privacy lens. Participants probe the possibilities and limitations of genAI while considering implications for intellectual privacy, intellectual property, data sovereignty, and human agency. In the centerpiece activity, participants engage in a hidden layer simulation to develop a conceptual understanding of the algorithms in the neural networks underlying LLMs and their implications for machine bias and AI hallucination. Drawing on Richards’s theory of intellectual privacy (2015) and the movement for data sovereignty, and introducing an original framework for the ethical evaluation of AI, Hidden Layer prepares participants to be critical users of genAI and synthetic media.

The workshop is designed for a 60-minute session, but can be extended to fill the time available.
Includes workshop guide, presentation slides, learning activities, and assessment instrument.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
HiddenLayer_LessonPlan_CCBYSA_HartmanCaverly_2023.pdfdisplayed 1405 times117.63 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Facilitator learning objectives

During this workshop, participants will

  • Apply prompt engineering techniques to elicit information from text-to-text generative AI (genAI) platforms

  • Appreciate a range of intellectual privacy implications posed by genAI, including: 

    • personal data;

    • intellectual property (copyright, patent, proprietary and sensitive data); 

    • AI alignment (social bias, content moderation, AI guardrails, censorship, prompt injection); 

    • synthetic media;

    • AI hallucination and mis/dis/malinformation; and

    • data sovereignty and data colonialism.

  • Engage in a simulation to develop a conceptual understanding of how the hidden layer in the neural networks underpinning large language models works

  • Synthesize their knowledge of genAI intellectual privacy considerations to analyze an ethical case study using the Agent-Impact Matrix for Artificial Intelligence (AIM4AI).

Participant learning outcomes

During this workshop, participants will

  • Interact with genAI to explore its possibilities and limitations

  • Discuss the intellectual privacy implications of genAI, including intellectual property considerations

  • Evaluate the ethics of genAI for its impact on human agency

Individual or Group:

Suggested Citation: 
Hartman-Caverly, Sarah. "Hidden Layer: Intellectual Privacy and Generative AI." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2023. https://projectcora.org/assignment/hidden-layer-intellectual-privacy-and-generative-ai.
Submitted by Sarah Hartman-Caverly on August 4th, 2023
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Short Description: 

This sex-positive privacy literacy workshop engages participants in exploring how sex tech impacts intimate privacy and intimate relationships. Workshop content is contextualized with the theoretical frameworks of artificial intimacies (Brooks) and consentful tech (The Consentful Tech Project) and the concept of intimate privacy (Citron) and presented through a privacy literacy lens. Participants will identify artificial intimacies in order to assess real-world examples and their impact upon intimate privacy; evaluate the privacy of digital bodies under conditions of data promiscuity using a consentful tech framework; and understand intimate privacy and the impact of technology on intimate relationships and wellbeing.

The workshop is designed for a 60-minute session, but can be extended to fill the time available.
Includes workshop guide, presentation slides, learning activities, inclusive pedagogy tool, and assessment instrument.

Learning Outcomes: 
  1. Identify artificial intimacies in order to assess real-world examples and their impact upon intimate privacy
  2. Evaluate the privacy of digital bodies under conditions of data promiscuity using a consentful tech framework
  3. Understand intimate privacy and the impact of technology on intimate relationships and wellbeing.

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 
Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 
Collaborators: 
Suggested Citation: 
Hartman-Caverly, Sarah. "Private Bits: Privacy, Intimacy, and Consent." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2023. https://projectcora.org/assignment/private-bits-privacy-intimacy-and-consent.
Submitted by Alexandria Chisholm on October 14th, 2021
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Short Description: 

This algorithmic literacy workshop puts a new spin on media literacy by moving beyond fake news to examine the algorithms that shape our online experiences and how we encounter information in our everyday lives.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
#ForYouWorkshopLessonPlan_Chisholm.pdfdisplayed 1757 times163.64 KB
AttentionAutonomyPlan_#ForYouWorkshop.pdfdisplayed 1147 times83.03 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

By the end of the #ForYou: Algorithms & the Attention Economy workshop, students will be able to:

  1. describe recommender system algorithms in order to examine how they shape individuals' online experiences through personalization
  2. analyze their online behaviors and subsequent ad profiles in order to reflect on how they influence how individuals encounter, perceive, & evaluate information, leading to echo chambers & political polarization
  3. assess how their data is used to personalize their online experience in order to build algorithmic awareness & make informed, intentional choices about their information consumption
Discipline: 
Multidisciplinary

Information Literacy concepts:

Individual or Group:

Suggested Citation: 
Chisholm, Alexandria. "#ForYou: Algorithms & the Attention Economy." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2021. https://projectcora.org/assignment/foryou-algorithms-attention-economy.

Teaching Resource

K-12 digital media resource from Canada featuring classroom lesson plans, with work sheets, backgrounders, tip sheets and essays, and multimedia games and quizzes.

Submitted by Paizha Stoothoff on March 11th, 2021
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Short Description: 

The assignment was created by Librarian Paizha Stoothoff in collaboration with a Professor teaching Literary Los Angeles. In lieu of a physical tour, students worked on a 3-week project to create digital maps (see assignment attached for details about what maps included). 

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Assignment designed collaboratively by Librarian and Professordisplayed 1160 times28.75 KB
Lesson Plan_Literary LA HistoryPin.docxdisplayed 1232 times26.06 KB
LibraryVisit_Literary LA and HistorPin.pptxdisplayed 1617 times7.22 MB
Learning Outcomes: 

By the time you complete this assignment you will:

  • Know how to find and add digital archival objects and open web images to Historypin
  • Think creatively and critically about how to use digital objects to create an interactive digital collection with a map included.
  • Understand copyright ownership and cite pinned objects properly in Historypin.
Discipline: 
EnglishHistory

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

The assignment took place mid-way through a Literary Los Angeles course. It was a 3-week assignment. The library workshop occurred in week one, after students formed groups and shared to a discussion post in Canvas what author/region/text they would focus on. The Liaison Librarian and Archivist led the library session.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

See above

Assessment or Criteria for Success
Assessment Short Description: 
Measure learning outcomes against final map projects.
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

I didn't spend too much time in-class with registration (limited it to 5-minute overview). This turned out to be a good call, since registration is pretty straightforward and it can take up valuable class time!

Suggested Citation: 
Stoothoff, Paizha. "Digital Maps with HistoryPin." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2021. https://projectcora.org/assignment/digital-maps-historypin-0.
Submitted by Paizha Stoothoff on March 11th, 2021
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Short Description: 

This assignment was created in lieu of a physical tour of Literary Los Angeles (for a Literary L.A. course). Students worked on a 3-week project to create digital maps (see assignment attached for details about what maps included). The library workshop occured in week 1, after students formed groups and shared to a discussion post in Canvas what author/region/text they would focus on. The Liaison Librarian and Archivist led the library session.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Assignment designed collaboratively by Librarian and Professordisplayed 1160 times28.75 KB
Lesson Plan_Literary LA HistoryPin.docxdisplayed 1232 times26.06 KB
LibraryVisit_Literary LA and HistorPin.pptxdisplayed 1617 times7.22 MB
Learning Outcomes: 

By the time you complete this assignment you will:

  • Know how to find and add digital archival objects and open web images to Historypin
  • Think creatively and critically about how to use digital objects to create an interactive digital collection with a map included.
  • Understand copyright ownership and cite pinned objects properly in Historypin.
Discipline: 
EnglishHistory

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

The assignment took place mid-way through a Literary Los Angeles course. It was a 3-week assignment. The library workshop occurred in week one, after students formed groups and shared to a discussion post in Canvas what author/region/text they would focus on. The Liaison Librarian and Archivist led the library session.

Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

I did not spend too much time on registration, since that can take up valuable class time. Provide remote resources (a guide, slides, handouts) to assist w/ registration remotely.

Suggested Citation: 
Stoothoff, Paizha. "Digital Maps with HistoryPin." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2021. https://projectcora.org/assignment/digital-maps-historypin.
Submitted by Paizha Stoothoff on February 17th, 2021
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Short Description: 

Digital timelines enable us to tell stories visually by connecting non-linear moments: events, reactions, and experiences. This assignment includes a lesson plan and worksheet for teaching with timelines. Timelines work best when they are created as a project for a course, since they take time to develop. Project ideas include: alternatives to the research paper in humanities and Literature courses; embedding timelines in website projects where students also create bibliographies of secondary sources; and library archival projects to showcase student work or a collection with an open-source tool if space or platforms are limited.

The lesson plan and worksheet are designed around Knightlab TimelineJS, but can be adapted for use with other timeline tools. Also included is a guide for selecting a timeline tool for instructors.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Timeline Lesson Plan.docxdisplayed 854 times35.18 KB
Timeline Worksheet.docxdisplayed 829 times27.96 KB
Choosing a Timeline Creator_for instructors.docxdisplayed 740 times35.51 KB
Learning Outcomes: 

Students will:

  • Demonstrate an understanding of the scholarly discourse and/or cultural, historical context for a topic.
  • Use basic digital skills required for developing digital projects including use of URL links, embed code, alternative text for media.
  • Select appropriate materials for timelines including images, articles, and other resources available through library databases, library archives, and open web resources.

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 

This lesson plan was implemented in a Victorian Literature upper division English class. The Professor assigned students a final website project as an alternative to the research paper. On their website, they included the following pages: About, Timeline, Reflection, and Works Cited. This workshop aided students in creating and finding resources for their timeline, and provided citation guidance as well. Archives and Special Collections at our University has also used Knightlab Timeline to create a digital exhibit with student interns to be embedded into a departmental project.

Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 

A supplemental LibGuide, Creating Timelines with Knightlab, was designed by the Humanities Librarian for all instructors/librarians/archivists interested in using the tool in their projects or courses.

LibGuide: https://libguides.calstatela.edu/c.php?g=1124920&p=8205317

Assessment or Criteria for Success
Assessment Short Description: 
Assessment may include student's grades for course projects. Professors did not use a rubric for grading the timeline, but there may be opportunities to develop a rubric for them in the future.
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 

Part two, registering for Knightlab, will take time. There are some technical nuances that come up with using the Timeline (which the FAQ in the LibGuide aims to address). To avoid spending the whole library session on registration and using the tool, have students register in class and spend the remainder finding sources. Students can 'plug in' their content at home and follow-up with any questions. When piloting this worksheet and lesson plan, about 5 students reached out with some technical questions to the Librarian. Updating the FAQ to answer common questions proved useful for the Librarian and for students.

Also, tailor the resources you share based on the context for the timeline. For example, if it's being used for a Victorian Literature class, I would emphasize the British Library, ArtStor, free Images, and Britannica Online. If it's being used for 19th Century Novel, I would emphasize 19th century newspapers, ArtStor, free images, and possibly Women's Studies Archives.

 

Suggested Citation: 
Stoothoff, Paizha. "Creating a Timeline with Knightlab." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2021. https://projectcora.org/assignment/creating-timeline-knightlab.
Submitted by Keely Kiczenski on December 10th, 2020
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Short Description: 

This lesson is intended as a one hour, single-session overview of one aspect of information literacy: evaluating the trustworthiness of resources, particularly online. The lesson is designed for a group of 10-25 adults in a public or academic library, or is also suitable for high school students. Instructor will teach students how to investigate a source and apply three small but powerful information literacy tools to evaluation: SIFT, PIE, and SMELL.

Attachments: 
AttachmentSize
Information Literacy Lesson Plan with Appendix.pdfdisplayed 3431 times263.93 KB
IL Lesson Plan Appendix (separate).pdfdisplayed 2089 times163.28 KB
Information Literacy Lesson Plan.docxdisplayed 1028 times56.03 KB
Learning Outcomes: 
  • The student will be able to distinguish between standard evaluative criteria and apply appropriate criteria to an information source to determine its quality and relevance. 
  • The student will be able to detect misinformation and defend the credibility of a source by using relevant evaluative criteria and verifying claims externally.
  • Students will be able to locate a variety of sources about a topic and discern which would be most useful in fulfilling their information need.

 

Individual or Group:

Course Context (e.g. how it was implemented or integrated): 
Additional Instructor Resources (e.g. in-class activities, worksheets, scaffolding applications, supplemental modules, further readings, etc.): 
Potential Pitfalls and Teaching Tips: 
Suggested Citation: 
Kiczenski, Keely. "Who Can I Trust? – Questions to Ask When Evaluating Information Sources (featuring SIFT, PIE, and SMELL methods)." CORA (Community of Online Research Assignments), 2020. https://projectcora.org/assignment/who-can-i-trust-%E2%80%93-questions-ask-when-evaluating-information-sources-featuring-sift-pie.

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