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Digital literacy goes beyond knowing how to use technology—it includes the ability to find, evaluate, create, and communicate information using digital tools (Hauck, Satar, & Kurek, 2020).

It combines functional, critical, and creative competencies (University of Reading WRP).

“Digital literacy is not only about accessing information but also about participating, producing, and evaluating digital content critically” (Hauck et al., 2020).

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Pyramid model for digital literacies (Sharpe & Beetham, 2009)

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Pyramid model for digital literacies (Sharpe & Beetham, 2009)

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Digital lithographies develop from basic access skills to creative identity-building. Which stage resonates most with your classroom goals?

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Why Teach Digital Literacy in Elementary School?

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Why Teach Digital Literacy in Elementary School?

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Early exposure builds 21st-century skills like collaboration, communication, and digital citizenship (Puniatmaja et al., 2024).

Helps close the digital divide by offering equitable skill development opportunities (University of Reading WRP).

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When do you currently integrate digital literacy in your classroom?

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Functional: Basic tech skills (logging in, using apps)

Critical: Evaluating sources, understanding bias

Creative: Producing digital content (videos, slides, blogs)

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Which domain do you feel most confident teaching? Which one needs support?

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Use this downloadable PDF to keep students learning on track.

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Even dedicating 10 minutes a week to digital skill-building—like evaluating a website or practicing search keywords—can build lasting digital literacy habits.

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Information literacy refers to the ability to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively use information for a specific purpose. In the digital age, this includes critically engaging with online content, understanding source credibility, and avoiding misinformation.

“Information literacy is the foundation for lifelong learning... it enables individuals to navigate the digital world critically and responsibly” (University of Reading, 2020).

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The CRAAP test is a test that evaluates the objective reliability of information sources across academic disciplines. CRAAP is an acronym for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose.[1] Because a vast number of sources exist online, it can be difficult to tell if sources are trustworthy enough to use for research. The CRAAP test aims to make it easier for educators and students alike to determine if sources can be trusted. By employing the test while evaluating sources, a researcher may reduce their susceptibility to unreliable information. The CRAAP test, developed by Sarah Blakeslee[2] and her team of librarians at California State University, Chico (CSU Chico),[1] is used mainly by higher education librarians at universities. It is one of various approaches to source criticism.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CRAAP_test

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Level: Grades 3-5

Duration: 45 minutes plus time for the assessment/evaluation task

Author: Matthew Johnson, Director of Education, MediaSmarts
This lesson plan is part of the Overview Learning Outcomes Break the Fake project. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada.
This lesson is part of USE, UNDERSTAND & ENGAGE: A Digital Media Literacy Framework for Canadian Schools.

In this lesson, students are introduced to the challenges of identifying what is real and what is fake online. After learning some simple steps to verify online information they create a poster that communicates the importance of questioning and double-checking online content.

Students will:

Learn simple steps for verifying online information

Practice verifying online information

Understand media literacy key concepts:

Media are constructions

Each medium is a unique aesthetic form

Understand digital literacy key concepts:

Digital media are networked

Digital media are shareable and persistent

Interactions through digital media can have a real impact

Digital media experiences are shaped by the tools we use

Create a media text

Download the Real or Fake? slideshow.

This lesson and all associated documents (handouts, overheads, backgrounders) are available in an easy-print, pdf kit version.

What's real online? Plug and play video lesson

This video version of the above lesson plan is designed so that teachers can present the lesson on a screen or digital whiteboard with minimal preparation. The video lesson is presented by one of MediaSmarts' media education specialists and includes opportunities for discussion, classroom activities and assessment.

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In this lesson, students are introduced to the challenges of identifying what is real and what is fake online. After learning some simple steps to verify online information they create a poster that communicates the importance of questioning and double-checking online content.

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Students often rely on simple keyword searches, which can yield overwhelming or unreliable results. Teaching them how to refine their searches builds both confidence and digital independence.

Quote box:
“Knowing how to search is just as important as knowing what to search.”
— (University of Reading, 2020)

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5 Must-Have Google Search Tips for Students | Common Sense Education

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Is Google OK for formal research? Sure ... if you know how to use it.

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Master Google education tools in the classroom and beyond

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Master Google education tools in the classroom and beyond

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Google for Education offers training for any skill level to help you become a more effective educator. Browse our entire catalog of quick lessons and comprehensive courses to build the curriculum that's right for you. You can even learn from others by exploring community-created resources submitted by local educators like you.

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Browse Online Courses for Educators - Google for Education - Google for Education

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Master Google for Education tools with in-depth courses for teachers. Find lessons, trainings and online teaching courses to support your learning goals.

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Lesson Plan: Advanced Search Strategies

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Lesson Plan: Advanced Search Strategies

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The Essentials of Online Writing

Digital writing isn't just typing on a screen—it requires thought, clarity, and awareness of your audience. Whether you're sending an email to a teacher, writing a blog post, or commenting in an online discussion, strong digital communication means using the right tone, proper grammar, and a clear structure. Students need to learn that writing online is often permanent and easily misinterpreted, so being purposeful and respectful is key.

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Google Suite (now Google Workspace for Education) provides free, cloud-based tools that support collaboration, creativity, and digital communication.

Tools like Docs, Slides, Forms, and Drive are used widely in schools, workplaces, and post-secondary education, making them essential digital literacy tools.

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Use this lesson plan to introduce your students and yourself with google suite and its amazing tools for education!

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 Explore G Suite Tools for Everyday Classroom Use

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 Explore G Suite Tools for Everyday Classroom Use

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G Suite offers simple, effective digital tools that support collaboration, creativity, and organization in the classroom. Below is a quick reference to four essential tools and how they can be meaningfully integrated into elementary instruction

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YouTube’s Google Workspace for Education Playlist

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YouTube’s Google Workspace for Education Playlist

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Looking for simple, step-by-step tutorials? YouTube’s Google Workspace for Education playlist is a great resource for teachers and students alike. It offers quick, practical videos on how to use Docs, Slides, Forms, and more—perfect for building confidence and getting started with digital tools in the classroom.

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Earn a skill badge by completing the Google Workspace for Education quest, where you learn about a set of familiar Google apps and services tailored for scho…

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Display in your room or use as a handout!

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This Padlet is a teacher-friendly guide designed to support the integration of digital literacy into elementary classrooms. It is organized into six easy-to-navigate modules, each focusing on a key aspect of digital literacy.

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1. Scroll across the Padlet to access each module.

2. Start with Module 1 and move sequentially—or choose the topic most relevant to your classroom needs.

3. Each module includes:

A brief explanation of the concept

Downloadable tools (e.g., checklists, lesson plans, visuals)

Optional student tasks or extension ideas

Suggested videos or visual aids

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As a personal PD toolkit to build confidence with digital literacy topics

For direct classroom use (e.g., slides, activities, and handouts)

To supplement or align with existing digital literacy objectives

To support collaboration with other staff integrating tech into core subjects

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Print the checklists and handouts as needed.

Adapt lesson plans to suit your grade level.

Use the visuals and videos to launch discussions or model tasks.