ICYouSee: A Lesson in Critical Thinking
Level: Grades 8 to 10
Overview
In this lesson, students use a Web-based activity to help them think critically about how to determine the quality of Web resources.
Learning Outcomes
The students will:
- understand the importance of authenticating online resources
- recognize how the source of information may affect the quality of information found on a Web site
- use a template to authenticate and assess the quality of Web sources
Preparation and Materials
- Prior to class, arrange for access to a computer lab. (Depending on the length of your class period, you may need two computer lab sessions to complete this lesson.)
Procedure
Explain to students that an important part of assessing Web pages is to understand that the quality of information found online can vary greatly.
Ask students:
- In order to determine the quality of information on a Web site, what elements do you have to consider?
- What sources of information do you think might be your best sources of information?
- What sources of information do you think might be your weakest sources of information?
- Is it easy to tell the quality of information on a Web page?
Activitiy
Have students go to the Web Page “ICYouSee: T is for Critical Thinking” at the Media Awareness Network:
- Give them 15 – 20 minutes to review the first five points on the sheet and visit the sample Web sites that are offered. (Tell them that they are not to go on to the homework section at this point.)
- As they go through this page, they are to summarize and record the main points. (This includes jot-notes about what they think the quality of information is on each of the Star Trek Web pages.)
- Once they are done, summarize the main points as a class, and discuss how students determined the quality of information on the Star Trek pages.
- When this is completed, have students complete the Mayan Calendar homework assignment, applying the questions that have been provided for each site.
- Students will submit their answers to you.
- Once assignments have been returned, discuss their findings and answers as a class.
Evaluation
- Completed homework assignments.
