Information & Digital Literacy for University Success (Coursera)

Information & Digital Literacy for University Success (Coursera)

This Specilaization 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.

Class Deals by MOOC List - Click here and see Coursera's Active Discounts, Deals, and Promo Codes.

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.

Course 1 of 5 in the Academic Skills for University Success Specialization.

Syllabus

WEEK 1
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

WEEK 2
Defining, Accessing & Searching for Information
After this module you will be able to (1). Define the characteristics of different kinds of information (2). Know where to look for information from various sources (3). Develop a search strategy and filter large numbers of search results effectively (4). Document and evaluate your search strategy

WEEK 3
Critically Evaluating, Filtering & Managing Information
After this module you will be able to (1). Apply criteria to critically evaluate the reliability of sources for an academic context (2). Identify the factors that make a web resource reliable (3). Filter information effectively (4). Use file-naming conventions and appropriate software to effectively organize and store information

WEEK 4
Referencing, Incorporating Sources & Avoiding Plagiarism
After this module you will be able to (1). Understand the consequences of plagiarism in the academic context (2). Use referencing conventions to appropriately cite a variety of information sources and avoid plagiarism (3). Understand how to incorportate ideas from sources into your work (4). Be familiar with different referencing software and evaluate it for your own purposes

WEEK 5
Disseminating & Communicating Information
After this module you will be able to (1). Understand new forms of licensing for online content (2). Communicate effectively in different digital modes (3). Manage digital identity across different domains (4). Use digital networks to manage and advance learning

WEEK 6
Summative Assessment

Go to Class
MOOC List is learner-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Related Courses

Social Science Approaches to the Study of Chinese Society Part 1 (Coursera) Coursera
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology - HKUST

Social Science Approaches to the Study of Chinese Society Part 1 (Coursera)

This course seeks to turn learners into informed consumers of social science research. It introduces concepts, standards, and principles of social science research to the interested non-expert. Learners who complete the course will be able to assess evidence and critically evaluate claims about important social phenomena. It reviews the origins and development of social science, describes the process of discovery in contemporary social science research, and explains how contemporary social science differs from apparently related fields. It describes the goals, basic paradigms, and methodologies of the major social science disciplines.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Serious Gaming (Coursera) Coursera
Erasmus University Rotterdam

Serious Gaming (Coursera)

Have you ever wondered how playing games can help us to train people, deal with societal challenges or raise awareness of contemporary social issues? In this MOOC you will learn the ins and outs of games that are designed with exactly those purposes in mind: serious games. We will define serious games and discuss the different types that have been developed. We will explain why people like to play them and what impact they may have.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Applying to U.S. Universities (Coursera) Coursera
University of Pennsylvania

Applying to U.S. Universities (Coursera)

“It depends.” That is what you’ll hear when asking about the U.S. university admission process. With over 4,000 universities in the United States and no standard application system, the U.S. admission process can be confusing for everyone, but especially for students applying from other countries. This course will help international students (non-U.S. citizens) and non-native English speakers navigate the U.S. university admission process by offering practical information about the documents and pieces that make up a U.S. university application. More importantly, admission officers will discuss how they use those pieces to decide who is accepted and who is denied, so that you can understand the process beyond the pieces.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Emerging Trends & Technologies in the Virtual K-12 Classroom (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Emerging Trends & Technologies in the Virtual K-12 Classroom (Coursera)

Welcome to Emerging Trends and Technologies in K-12! This course will help you evaluate and implement technology in the most useful way within your virtual classroom setting. We will discuss the possibilities and challenges of using technology in fully online environments, although many of the ideas can be applied to blended and traditional environments as well.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks
Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships (Coursera) Coursera
Commonwealth Education Trust

Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Developing Relationships (Coursera)

The Foundations of Teaching for Learning programme is for anyone who is teaching, or who would like to teach, in any subject and any context - be it at school, at home or in the workplace. With dynamic lessons taught by established and respected professionals from across the Commonwealth, this eight course programme will see you develop and strengthen your skills in teaching, professionalism, assessment, and more. As you carry on through the programme, you will find yourself strengthening not only your skills, but your connection with colleagues across the globe. A professional development opportunity not to be missed.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
New Learning: Principles and Patterns of Pedagogy (Coursera) Coursera
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

New Learning: Principles and Patterns of Pedagogy (Coursera)

Education is in a state of flux – transitioning from traditional architectures and practices to new ecologies of teaching and learning influenced by the tremendous social and technological changes of our times. What changes are afoot today in workplaces, civic life and everyday community life? What are their implications for education? What are the possible impacts of contemporary social transformations on teaching and learning - including in the areas of technology, media, globalization, diversity, changing forms of work in the “knowledge society”, and, in these contexts, changing learner needs and sensibilities? This course explores three pedagogical paradigms: “didactic”, “authentic” and “transformative” learning.

Nov 23rd 2026
4 Weeks
Foundations of Virtual Instruction (Coursera) Coursera
University of California, Irvine

Foundations of Virtual Instruction (Coursera)

Welcome to Foundations of Virtual Instruction! This course will help you 'up' your game and develop the advanced skills and techniques that elude even some of the most experienced virtual teachers in the K-12 space. Examine pitfalls and learn how to overcome them by focusing on the fundamentals that have the most significant impact on student learning in a blended or online environment.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks
Potenciando mi aprendizaje en el primer año de Universidad (Coursera) Coursera
Universidad de Chile

Potenciando mi aprendizaje en el primer año de Universidad (Coursera)

El propósito del curso es acompañar a los estudiantes de primer año a potenciar sus aprendizajes, con la finalidad de fomentar una buena experiencia en la universidad. Lo anterior se realiza a través de un auto- diagnóstico y de la familiarización con distintas estrategias de estudio, de gestión del tiempo y del abordaje de evaluaciones.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Learning to Teach Online (Coursera) Coursera
UNSW Sydney - University of New South Wales

Learning to Teach Online (Coursera)

Are you an educator? Have you ever wanted to understand more about how to design your class to make better use of educational technology – whether fully online or in blended contexts? Would you like to learn from those who have extensive practical experience with online technologies? The Learning to Teach Online (LTTO) MOOC will help you develop a working understanding of successful online teaching strategies that you can apply in your own practice. The course is based upon the multi award winning open educational resource developed by Dr Simon McIntyre and Karin Watson.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
University Teaching (Coursera) Coursera
University of Hong Kong

University Teaching (Coursera)

University Teaching is an introductory course in teaching and learning in tertiary education, designed by staff at the Centre for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning at the University of Hong Kong. With input from instructors, guests and interviewees, including teaching award winners, students, and experts in the fields, you will be exposed to research evidence in relation to effective university teaching and practical instructional design strategies. You will also be exposed to multiple examples of effective teaching, and hear the views of teachers whose teaching has been judged to be excellent.

Nov 23rd 2026
5-12 Weeks
Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Professional (Coursera) Coursera
Commonwealth Education Trust

Foundations of Teaching for Learning: Being a Professional (Coursera)

The Foundations of Teaching for Learning programme is for anyone who is teaching, or who would like to teach, in any subject and any context - be it at school, at home or in the workplace. With dynamic lessons taught by established and respected professionals from across the Commonwealth, this eight course programme will see you develop and strengthen your skills in teaching, professionalism, assessment, and more. As you carry on through the programme, you will find yourself strengthening not only your skills, but your connection with colleagues across the globe. A professional development opportunity not to be missed.

Nov 16th 2026
5-12 Weeks