Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O)

Welcome to your self-directed 10-source literacy inquiry. Explore an engaging real-world theme, verify sources using the 4-step SIFT framework, record video think-alouds, and build your accredited digital Literacy Portfolio.

🚧 Under Development: This course is currently being built and refined. Features, prompts, and submission workflows may change as we finalize the curriculum.

How the OLC4O Course Works

The Ontario Secondary School Literacy Course (OLC4O / OSSLC) is a Grade 12 Open course (110 instructional hours) that fulfills the Ontario high school literacy requirement for your Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD). This course is self-directed, inquiry-driven, and designed around modern media analysis.

Unlike traditional courses with disconnected textbooks and random worksheets, OLC4O is built around three foundational pillars:

1

Choose a Theme

Tailor your learning to what actually matters to you. Instead of generic textbook prompts, you select a single personalized inquiry theme connected to your future pathway—whether in skilled trades, college, university, or the workplace—and explore it through real-world media.

2

Practice your Skills

Learn with clarity and confidence. Watch concise video lessons showing exactly how to approach each question and literacy format, then get unlimited practice with instant AI feedback so all your study time truly counts.

3

Exam At Your Pace

Demonstrate your growth without test anxiety. Our secure exam workspace makes writing low-stakes by letting you complete formal tasks comfortably at your own pace in a distraction-free, authentic environment.

🔍 The SIFT Lateral Reading Framework

Created by digital literacy researcher Mike Caulfield and adopted by professional fact-checkers, SIFT replaces cumbersome checklists with 4 rapid lateral reading moves:

S
Stop

Don't react or share immediately. Check your emotional reaction and ask: Do I know this publisher or research organization?

I
Investigate

Open a new tab and search laterally. What do Wikipedia, news watchdogs, or recognized journalists say about this source?

F
Find Coverage

Look for consensus. Are multiple reputable, accredited newsrooms reporting the same event, data, or scientific conclusions?

T
Trace Claims

Follow quotes, charts, and statistics back to the primary context (original research study, budget, or press release).

💡 Tip: Every workspace includes a teacher video walkthrough demonstrating how to apply SIFT lateral reading effectively.

Curriculum Breakdown & Course Weighting

The 110 instructional hours are structured into 70% Term Work and 30% Culminating Evaluation:

Course Unit Sources / Deliverables Instructional Hours Evaluation Weight
Unit 1: Short Writing (The APE Method) Assignment 1: Baseline Diagnostic & AI Feedback (2.5h)
Assignment 2: Theme & SIFT (2.5h)
Source 1: Reading APE + Source 2: Personal Knowledge & Experience (Unit 1 Culminating Assessment: Three Short Responses) (20h) 		25 Hours 70% Term Work
(Foundations, 10 Videos, 8 Scaffolded Pieces, 2 Major Pieces)
Unit 2: The News Report Sources 3–4 (5Ws Lead & Quotes) + Major Piece 1: Formal News Report (Source 5) 25 Hours
Unit 3: Graphic Texts Source 6 (Data Infographics) + Source 7 (Technical Diagrams & Schematics) 20 Hours
Unit 4: The Opinion Piece Sources 8–9 (Claims Evaluation & Counterarguments) + Major Piece 2: 5-Paragraph Opinion Essay (Source 10) 25 Hours
Exam: Culminating Portfolio Master Portfolio, Metacognitive Reflection & Video Defense 10 Hours 15% Culminating Portfolio
Exam: Final Exam Secure 2.5-Hour Reading & Writing Exam (Exam Portal) 5 Hours 15% Final Exam