Unit 1: Defining News Literacy
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REMEMBER! Digital Journal
You will need your Digital Journal throughout this course. If you haven't done so already, go to https://docs.google.com/document/d/105e0G10fSgBYNwYkvZW017eSyLdHaoCX7sY4LJLDjQk/edit?usp=sharing and access the document, and save it as an editable document on your device.
Lesson 1: What is News Literacy?
CHECK-IN: Self-Reflection
In your digital journal, reflect on the following questions:
- Do you have any experience with news literacy or media literacy?
- What do you think it should entail?
STUDY: Learn Terminology
Familiarize yourself with some news literacy terminology that can be used in the classroom with students using the flashcards provided here (NOTE: To use these flashcards, view the slide deck in presentation mode).
WATCH: News Literacy Introduction
Watch the following two videos to get an overview of what news literacy is.
SELF-CHECK: Test Your Skills
Test your own skills with this quiz here . Then try out the other quizzes offered here.
ASSESSMENT: Reflection
In your digital journal, answer the following prompt:
The News Literacy Project defines News Literacy as: “News literacy is the ability to determine the credibility of news and other information and to recognize the standards of fact-based journalism to know what to trust, share and act on.”
Would you change anything about this definition? What would it be? Or why wouldn’t you change anything?
Lesson 2: Why is News Literacy Important to Teach?
CHECK-IN: Reflection
In your digital journal, reflect on the following question:
- What makes something important to teach?
READ: Article
Read this NPR article which cites some statistics and discusses students’ struggle with spotting inaccurate and misleading news articles and sources.
WATCH: Students Reflect
Watch this video and hear from students about their experience with “fake news” and their opinions of news literacy education.
ASSESSMENT: Reflection
In your digital journal, reflect on this question:
- Why is news literacy important to teach?
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