Championing Information Literacy

Built on a collection of information literacy displays, this event was developed in response to the rise of mis- and disinformation, particularly with the growth of artificial intelligence. "We know our students are facing a tidal wave of information every day in their feeds," says Dr. Alana Bell, Research and Learning Commons Specialist. "We wanted to build an awareness that it's happening and guide students on what to do with it."

Dr. Bell and the Learning Commons coordinators regularly visit classrooms to deliver research lessons and support students in conducting inquiry. These sessions focus on equipping students to find credible sources while also teaching AI literacy. Students are encouraged to ask, “Who is behind the information?” “What is the evidence?” and “What do other sources say?” before using the content or sharing it with others.

As part of the month-long event, the Learning Commons hosted a discussion led by guest researcher Joshua Mogyoros, a PhD candidate at the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education. Drawing on his background as an experienced science educator, Mr. Mogyoros spent some time at BSS in the fall working with teachers to incorporate strategies that support students in navigating science misinformation. In this follow-up session, he shared different approaches to media literacy, helping students to recognize cognitive biases and the limits of their own knowledge. They also gained practical tools to use when encountering information online, including the SIFT framework: stop, investigate the source, find corroborating reports and trace claims back to the original context.

This combination of active discussion and practical frameworks provided students with the tools to consider how they are interacting with the digital world on a daily basis. By learning to pause and assess the information they consume, BSS students are equipped to make intentional, well-informed choices in the future.