​

Activity #1: Analyzing News Headlines

(15 min)

 

In addition to concerns about the credibility of online information, there are also related concerns about the accuracy of information. In the digital age, we have seen a rise in misinformation and “fake news” due to a range of factors including the lack of vetting of online information, the ease with which information can be circulated, and the growing numbers of people who get their news from social media. Another important factor is the increase of partisanship that can bias our judgment about the credibility and accuracy of civic and political information online. Having strongly held partisan beliefs can lead you to be less critical of political claims that match up with your own perspective -- whether they are conservative or liberal. In other words, if something aligns with your overall beliefs, then you are more likely to believe it whether it’s true or not.

 

To engage your students in thinking about this issue you can ask them to work in pairs or in small groups to analyze the following published headlines. Students can just analyze the headlines and source website listing. Ask students to talk with each other about whether they believe these are real or fake news stories. Why or why not?

 

NASA is launching a 4G mobile network on the moon

Posted on CNBC.COM, October 19, 2020

 

Lecturers asked to stop using capital letters to avoid upsetting students

Posted on METRO.CO.UK, November 19, 2018

 

Newborn becomes first baby to be named an emoji

Posted on PRETTYCOOLSITE.COM, January 30, 2019

 

Primary school bans parents from sports day for bad behavior

Posted on THEGUARDIAN.COM, June 30, 2019

 

[Note for teachers: The first and last articles are real news stories that are still available here and here.

The second and third articles are fake and explanations as to why are available here and here.]

 

Ask students to share out whether they thought the stories were real or fake and their reasoning behind those judgments. You can use some or all of the following questions to guide discussion:

​

• Which articles do you think were fake and why?

• What did you think about to help you judge whether or not they were fake?

• What previous knowledge do you have that helped you determine whether the news story was real or fake?

• (If students had access to the Internet during this activity) What steps did you take to check the credibility of the news story?

• If you had more time, what more would you do?

• Do you think your previous opinions on these issues may have impacted your judgment? Why or why not?

 

If you would like to find more fake news examples and an analysis of those stories, you can visit Politifact.com or Snopes.com.

An online alternative or in addition to the above headlines activity, you can ask students to take the following online interactive quiz called Don’t Get Faked. Students can take the quiz on their own or in pairs. Here is more information about the tool from Youth Radio: