Reality Check

Begin by asking students if any of them have ever been unsure about whether something they saw online was real or not. What (if anything) have they done to find out?

Ask students if they have ever shared anything they weren’t sure was true. If so, how did they decide whether or not to share it?

Point out that it isn’t just scammers, trolls or spies that make online misinformation a problem: all of us are a part of it when we share things we aren’t sure are true. Suggest that they think of verifying online information as a habit like using seatbelts: you have to do it every time for it to be effective.

Next, have  students access the student chapter Reality Check.

Have each student complete one of the five different “missions” in the Reality Check game and complete the analysis activity. They can do this individually, in pairs or in small groups, as you prefer.

Reality Check is delivered in portrait mode to be playable on mobile devices. You may want to have students complete this activity as homework, or have them view the game in fullscreen (click the rectangle with four arrows at top right.)

When students have finished, ask them to share their analysis.