Media literacy | Resources | Jigsaw Schools Hub

Media literacy

We live in an age of 24-hour news, where we can be bombarded by information, opinion pieces and evolving stories. As well as allowing ourselves to switch off, we need to be able to distinguish fact from opinion and explore our attitudes to 24-hour information. These resources will give your class the chance to explore some of these themes.

Learning intentions

Learn about confirmation bias and consider the impact that can have on how young people consume information
Perform an internet search and explore whether your students can validate sources of information.

Level

Junior cycle

Duration

40 mins

Module

Minding myself and others

Play

an animation still of a stickman holding a bag of chocolate

Confirmation Bias

MindfulThinks create weekly video content about the mind. Their video on confirmation bias tells us about the idea of “confirmation bias” and the impact that it can have on the way that we think. It reminds us to be aware of what we hear and read online and the impact that this can have on our values and beliefs.

Watch this video with the class and start a discussion based on its contents.

Classroom activity

Using phones or tablets, working in groups, ask the class to open a browser in private or incognito mode.
Ask the class to google terms like ‘mental health’, ‘healthy eating’, ‘ways to improve your life.’
Visit some of the sites listed in the search results and take a look around these sites.
Investigate how they can be sure that the information is coming from a trusted source.

happy young woman looking through magnifying glass

Play

Evaluating information

This video is from the Georgian College Library, Canada. Although it is designed for university students, the information can be useful to your class when evaluating information.

After watching this video consider social platforms like YouTube, Reddit, Twitter, Instagram. An individual who uploaded a video may not be the creator or copyright holder of the content. Ask the class to find video content where they can site the original creator and copyright holder.