Bookmark Collection

Digital / Media Literacy Module

Resources for a Middle School Digital / Media Literacy Module

Date Added to MERLOT:

July 18, 2020

Created by:

Loreen Azevedo

License:

Derived from

Collection Content

AllSides Media Bias Ratings (Assessment Tool)

This is a news media chart that rates news outlets based on political leanings. The five categories include: (1) left,... More
Interactive Media Bias Chart - Ad Fontes Media (Assessment Tool)

This is a highly informative media bias chart. Not only does it look at the political biases of the media, it has 7... More

This is a highly informative media bias chart. Not only does it look at the political biases of the media, it has 7 categories: (most extreme left, hyper-partisan left, skews left, neutral or balanced bias, skews right, hyper-partisan right, and most extreme right). This tool also rates the overall reliability of a news source, with categories that include: (1) contains inaccurate / fabricated information, (2) propaganda / contains misleading information, (3) selective or incomplete story / unfair persuasion, (4) opinion / fair persuasion, (5) analysis, (6) complex analysis, (7) fact reporting, and (8) original fact reporting. Additionally there is a broader evaluation, that divides the news media into 4 categories: (1) serious reliability issues and / or extremism, (2) some reliability issues and / or extremism, (3) reliable for news, but high in analysis / opinion content, and (4) most reliable for news. In my digital / media literacy unit, I would use this media bias chart after the All Sides Media Bias Chart, as it is more complex. I would have students use this Ad Fontes Media chart in a final project assessing and presenting the reliability of different news sources.
Research Guides: Evaluating Sources: The CRAAP Test (Reference Material)

The CRAAP Test is a great tool for analyzing any type of informative source. CRAAP stands for Currency, Relevance,... More

The CRAAP Test is a great tool for analyzing any type of informative source. CRAAP stands for Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose. This framework is incredibly helpful for students, especially because it contains specific questions for students to ask when evaluating sources. I would use this in my digital / media literacy module by creating lesson plans that would focus on each section in depth (currency, relevance, authority, accuracy, and purpose).
AllSides (Collection)

The home page of the All Sides website aggregates current news articles by topic. Each news topic has 3 sources - one... More

The home page of the All Sides website aggregates current news articles by topic. Each news topic has 3 sources - one from the left, one from the center, and one from the right. This is format makes finding news articles about one topic from multiple sides of the political spectrum much easier. I would integrate this in my digital / media literacy module by (1) using this tool to build background knowledge when first presenting media bias to students and (2) having students use this resource for an assignment in which they compare differences in reporting among news sources with varying media biases.
Analyzing How Words Communicate Bias (Reference Material)

This resource provides a great framework for students on how to analyze bias in terms of word choice. It also contains a... More

This resource provides a great framework for students on how to analyze bias in terms of word choice. It also contains a complete lesson plan. In my digital / media literacy module, I would adapt this lesson. I would use the vocabulary outlined in the lesson (i.e. the definition of charged, bias, point of view, and implicit), use the method of comparing two news articles to give students exemplars of media bias, and adapt some of the questions from the handouts to help students evaluate sources.
Evaluating Online Sources (Reference Material)

This resource provides a lesson plan for high school students on how to evaluate online sources. It has relevant... More

This resource provides a lesson plan for high school students on how to evaluate online sources. It has relevant vocabulary for current media literacy, including definitions of fake news, credibility, accuracy, and reliability; multiple resources; and thought provoking questions. I would use this in my digital / media literacy unit to introduce the concept of "fake news" and to help students begin analyzing the role of social media in spreading disinformation.