120 likes | 251 Vues
This activity, designed for 11- to 13-year-olds, fosters critical thinking about digital media and source reliability. Students will engage in a three-part lesson that includes forming simple research questions, participating in a matching game on website domains, and conducting an activity called "Verify the Source!" to evaluate the credibility of online information. By considering factors like authorship, publication credibility, and objectivity, students develop essential skills for discerning reliable sources. This hands-on approach encourages early media literacy and prepares students for responsible internet use.
E N D
Media Literacy Project:Verifying Internet Sources Kristen Benson Natalie Brown Lizz Garcia Sharonda Thomas
Pre-Activity • Problems with digital media and sources even as college students • Have to be able to examine all information and other components that make a source credible • Helping young kids start early when it comes to finding reliable sources of information on the Internet
The Six Factors to Consider • Who wrote it? • Who published it? • Is the information current, accurate, complete? • Is the information presented in an objective manner? • How often is the site updated? • Is the document well written?
Activity Requirements at Racine Family Literacy • Needed access to computers with the Internet • Students should have some prior computer research experience • Be at least 11 to 13 years of age
Lesson Plan • Three part activity • Initial simple research question to have students find the correct answer • Matching game handout of Internet domains • “Verify the Source!” activity using three different sites • Additional handout and snacks to conclude
Goal of the Activity • Help students who are in the formal operation stage of cognitive development understand that information isn’t always reliable unless you verify the source
Stage of Cognitive Development • 8th graders in the formal operational stage • Stage starts around 11 and lasts till about 16 • Deals with the present, here and now • Can think about the future, abstract and hypothetical • Develops an inner value system and sense of moral judgment • Have the “mental tools” for living life
Presentation of Activity:Initial Research Question • Log onto Internet • “Find the Population of Racine” • What search engine did you use? • How did you know that information is accurate? • How often do you use this search engine?
Understanding Websites Matching Domain Game
“Verify the Source!” Activity • What is the real White House website? • Whitehouse.gov • Whitehouse.com • Whitehouse.net
Observations • Four 8th grade students • One boy, three girls • Main reasons they use Internet: Facebook, Myspace, Youtube • Obvious who had more experience with using computer/Internet • Recognized similar letters in the matching game rather than actually knowing domains • Guessed things based mostly off pictures, not information
Overall Outcome & Feedback • Core concept – All media messages are constructed • Develop the necessary “mental tools” • Small number of students led us to work one on one with them in the available computer lab