The internet puts a world of information at students’ fingertips—but with great power comes great responsibility (and, let’s be honest, a lot of misinformation). Teaching students how to research effectively isn’t just an academic skill; it’s a life skill. Here’s how to help them navigate the digital world with confidence and curiosity.
What is Media Literacy?
Research today isn’t just about finding information—it’s about evaluating it. Media literacy is the ability to analyze and assess the credibility of what we read, watch, and hear. In a world of deepfakes, clickbait, and viral hoaxes, this skill is more essential than ever.
Trusted vs. Unreliable Sources
Knowing where to look is just as important as knowing what to look for. Guide students to use:
âś… Trusted Websites - Government sites (.gov), educational institutions (.edu), and well-established organizations (.org) are great starting points.
✅ Library & Educational Databases - If your school provides access to online databases, encourage students to use them—they’re full of peer-reviewed and credible sources.
âś… Books & Encyclopedias - Even in the digital age, libraries remain a goldmine of reliable information.
âś… News Sites - Stick to well-known, balanced news sources that follow journalistic standards.
Steps to Conducting Good Research
1. Spotting Reliable Sources
Not all websites are created equal. Teach students to ask:
- Who wrote this? Is the author credible?
- When was it published? Is it up to date?
- Where is it from? Is the source reputable?
- Why was it written? Is there bias?
2. Fact-Checking Like a Pro
Before accepting information as truth, encourage students to:
- Cross-check multiple sources.
- Use fact-checking websites like FactCheck.org.
- Look for original sources rather than reposts or summaries.
🙋Pro Tip: Introduce students to the CRAAP Test (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose) to evaluate sources effectively.
3. Organizing Research Effectively
Strong research isn’t just about finding good information—it’s about keeping it organized! Have students take notes using structured methods like the Cornell Note-Taking System.
Bringing Media Literacy to Life in the Classroom
Want students to apply these skills in a fun, hands-on way? Try these activities:
Source Sleuth 🕵️‍♂️
- Provide students with a mix of websites (some credible, some questionable).
- Have them analyze each source using the CRAAP test (Currency, Reliability, Authority, Accuracy, Purpose).
- Discuss their findings and have them explain why they would or wouldn’t trust each source.
The Wikipedia Challenge đź“–
- Ask students to pick a topic and find the Wikipedia page on it.
- Their task: Scroll to the bottom and verify facts using the listed sources.
- Bonus: Have them compare the Wikipedia info to other reliable sources and note any differences.
The Misinformation Timeline ⏳
- Pick a viral fake story from the past and have students investigate:
- Where did it start?
- How did it spread?
- How was it eventually debunked?
- Discuss why misinformation spreads quickly and how to stop it in its tracks.
Run a Media Literacy Week đź“°
A week of activities from MediaSmarts.ca to help your students assess, evaluate and gather information online.
Empowering Students as Informed Digital Citizens
Good research isn’t just for school—it’s a skill for life. When students learn how to find and evaluate information critically, they become more informed citizens, better decision-makers, and lifelong learners.
🚀 Ready to take your students’ research skills to the next level? Start small, stay curious, and encourage them to question everything (except your due dates).
The House Hippo Returns
Every Canadian has fond memories of the House Hippo who encouraged us to think critically and to be wary of misinformation. And now the House Hippo has returned in our hour of need.