AI, CS, & Digital Literacy

Navigating Now: 5 Big Take-Aways for Teaching Information Literacy in the Age of AI

Hot off the presses! 🎉 The Oregon Department of Education has just released Navigating Now: A Practical Toolkit for Information Literacy in the Age of AI.

This fresh resource couldn’t come at a better time. Every day, students are swimming in a sea of information - TikTok trends, YouTube tutorials, AI chatbots, breaking news alerts... you name it. Sorting through what’s useful, what’s true, and what’s misleading isn’t easy. That’s where this toolkit comes in.

Think of it as a map for educators who want to help students (and themselves!) thrive in today’s digital world.

Here are 5 take-aways:

1. Information literacy isn’t optional anymore

Students need to know how to ask good questions, evaluate sources, and use information responsibly. These aren’t just school skills — they’re life skills that support everything from civic engagement to mental health.

2. Literacies overlap - and that’s a good thing

The toolkit reminds us that information literacy connects with media literacy, digital literacy, AI literacy, and even digital well-being. Together, they give students the tools to not only consume information but also create, share, and balance their relationship with technology.

3. AI is powerful - but it’s not perfect

Generative AI is an incredible tool, but it also brings bias, errors, deepfakes, and over-reliance risks. The big message? AI can help, but it’s not a crystal ball. Students (and all of us!) need to question its output and double-check with trusted sources.

4. Reflection makes critical thinkers stronger

From quick journal prompts to “prebunking” activities (spotting tricks that misinformation uses before it spreads), the toolkit emphasizes metacognition - helping students recognize how they’re thinking about information, not just what they’re learning.

5. Schools, families, and communities are all part of the solution

This isn’t just a classroom job. Building a culture of information literacy works best when schools partner with families and community voices. Whether it’s family workshops, student-led projects, or community discussions, shared engagement makes these skills stick.

Why it matters

The world of information is only getting more complicated, and AI is accelerating that change. By weaving these practices into our classrooms and communities, we’re not just teaching students to “fact check” - we’re helping them grow into thoughtful, resilient digital citizens.

📘 Want to dig deeper?

Check out the brand-new toolkit from ODE: Navigating Now: A Practical Toolkit for Information Literacy in the Age of AI

.