With this lesson the teacher will provide the students tools to find sources and recognize if those sources are reliable and useful for their discussions.
Material Type: Homework/Assignment
Introduce students to the function of news reporting and editorialzing, and what changes in the information landscape has blurred the lines between the two. Students have the opportunity to identify facts and opinions in the news, with the goal of understanding how to distinguis between objective reporting and opinion pieces. Students are invited to discuss the role news plays in civic engagement, and how, as news consumers, the sources we choose matter.
Material Type: Activity/Lab
As we get caught up in elections cycles and endless political debates, we can sometimes forget what democracy is and its institutions; how they work, their strengths and weaknesses. It's divided into 5 sections. The state of democracy The first part looks at the overall state of democracy across the world. After definining what a democracy is, we're look at how not all democracies are equal in measure, with some having more functioning democratic institutions than others. A useful recap of the other major types of government will feature. Checks and balances The separation of powers (legislative, executive and judicial) come from the premise that concentrating power in the hands of one person, party or government can have a detrimental effect on society. Hence why power and functions are distributed across separate and independent entities. Thriving political culture A democracy is more than voting once every x number of years. It's first of all making sure everyone who is elligible to vote can easily do so (obstacles are common). Political culture is also determined through the freedom to contest and protest. Transparency, accountability & corruption It is a given that a functioning democracy, with politicians elected by the people who get to decide how tax-payer money is spent, decision-making processes and accounting should be as transparant and corruption-free as possible. Unfortunately, lobbying and other forms of corruption are proven to be a hindrance on democracy as a whole. Media: the fourth power What is discussed in media outlets - from podcasts to TikTok videos, news articles to TV news bulletins - can have a significant impact on society, raising matters of public interest, forcing politicians to take position, debate and take action. Hence the importance of a free press. One that is independent, can speak openly about any issue, criticise the government if need be, without fear of reprisal. It is also crucial that information is transparent, that journalists can access information on what governments are doing without hindrance. -- Part of the political science collection.
Material Type: Lesson
This homework problem introduces students to Marcellus shale natural gas and how an unconventional reservoir rock can become an attractive hydrocarbon target. It is designed to expand students' understanding of hydrocarbon resources by introducing an unconventional natural gas play. Students explore the technological factors that make conventional source rocks attractive reservoir rocks and how this advance impacts both U.S. energy supply and the environment.
Material Type: Activity/Lab
In this activity, students explore whether statements made by the news and media on climate change-related issues are actually true. Examples are provided for Antarctic sea ice and hurricane intensity, but the activity could be extended to other topics as well.
Material Type: Activity/Lab
This is a multi-media teaching tool to learn about climate change. The tool is comprised of stills, video clips, graphic representations, and explanatory text about climate science. Acclaimed photographer James Balog and his Extreme Ice team put this teaching tool together.
This short video shows how humanity uses energy today; what sources we use; and why, in the future, a growing global population will require more energy.
We partnered with students to create Digital Essentials, a series of online modules for students to quickly build digital skills for study and work. The modules cover different digital capabilities for creation, communication, data, information, learning and functional skills. The modules are on the Pressbooks platform and include H5P content for interactivity and self-assessment. There is also a short quiz at the end of each module to check your knowledge. The modules include: Accessibility Artificial Intelligence Choose the right tool Communicate and collaborate Digital security eProfessionalism Find and using media Information essentials Internet essentials Social media Types of assignments Working with data and files Write, cite and submit
Material Type: Interactive, Module
The Visual Storytelling lesson plan is a series of four learning ladder activities designed around mobile/digital technology for use by intermediate art and design students. It is a framework for concept ideation, visual design planning, and production. Activity 3: Subtext Storyboard is a versitle tool students can use to develop including both abstract concepts and narrative structure.
Material Type: Activity/Lab
The following motion picture analysis worksheet was designed and developed by the Education Staff of the National Archives and Records Administration. You may find this worksheet useful as you introduce students to motion pictures as primary sources of historical, cultural, social and scientific information.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Primary Source, Teaching/Learning Strategy
The Visual Storytelling lesson plan is a series of four learning ladder activities designed around mobile/digital technology for use by intermediate art and design students. It is a framework for concept ideation, visual design planning, and production. Activity 1: Story Slides is a foundational activity for developing narrative visual storytelling skills. It can be used as an icebreaker for introductions as well as provide the instructor with an authentic assessment of current student visual design skills.
Material Type: Activity/Lab
**The publisher of this resource is Civix.Help Students Fight Information Pollution Case Studies are created by Civix, a Canadian organization developed to support civics and media literacy education
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Case Study
Like footprints in the sand, everything you do on the web leaves a trace. Every time you open up your web browser or app, every search you make, every purchase you make, meal you order, every friend you have, everything you like, everyone you follow, every website you visit, app you download - basically, every time you browse the web - you leave a trace, a footprint. This data is then gathered by actors on the web who then combine it all to set up a profile of you, which is then sold to advertisers who can then target you with very specific ads of things you might want to purchase. This resource uses the ad-model of the web as a backdrop to explain how the web works. Search results, recommendations, cookies, dark patterns... the web will hold no secrets to your students! It will help them understand why and how data on their activity is gathered. This will help them make more informed choices in what websites and apps they decide to use. A final section will focus on digital detox, steps students can take to reduce their digital footprint and screen time. -- This resource is part of the information science collection.
Material Type: Lesson
This resource is published by the Getting Better Foundation.Trust me documentary is a feature-length film that explores topics on misinformation in the media and builds a case for media literacy education to support skill development and resiliency. Educational licenses with teaching, collegiate, and parental guides are available at www.newday.com/film/trust-me.
Material Type: Activity/Lab
The cartoon analysis worksheet was designed and developed by the Education Staff of the National Archives and Records Administration. This worksheet will be useful when introducing students to cartoons as sources of historical, social and cultural information.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Primary Source, Teaching/Learning Strategy
A Field Guide to “Fake News” and Other Information Disorders explores the use of digital methods to study false viral news, political memes, trolling practices and their social life online. It responds to an increasing demand for understanding the interplay between digital platforms, misleading information, propaganda and viral content practices, and their influence on politics and public life in democratic societies.
Material Type: Reading
In this interactive simulation, students can explore global CO2 emissions displayed by different continents/countries and plotted based on the GDP. A map view is also accessible.
Material Type: Simulation
The following poster analysis worksheet was designed and developed by the Education Staff of the National Archives and Records Administration. You may find this worksheet useful as you introduce students to posters as sources of historical, social and cultural information.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Diagram/Illustration, Primary Source
This is a long-term inquiry activity in which students investigate locations they believe harbor cellulose-digesting microbes, collect samples, isolate them on selective media, and screen them for cellulase activity. These novel microbes may be useful for the production of cellulosic ethanol. In the process they learn about plating techniques, serial dilutions, symbiotic relationships and enzyme specificity. Two methods are provided, one focusing on isolation of pure microbial strains, the other focusing on finding symbiotic communities of microbes. The companion activity is here: https://www.glbrc.org/outreach/educational-materials/bioprospecting-cellulose-degrading-microbes-filter-paper-assay
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Simulation
This kit is a historical overview of American representations of chemicals from the three sisters to the Love Canal. It compares conflicting constructions about nuclear reactor safety, depleted uranium, Rachel Carson and DDT. Through analyzing diverse historic and contemporary media messages, students understand changing public knowledge, impressions and attitudes about chemicals in the environment.
Material Type: Activity/Lab, Assessment, Case Study, Diagram/Illustration, Full Course, Homework/Assignment, Lesson Plan, Reading, Teaching/Learning Strategy, Unit of Study
