Lesson Plan
Digital Detectives Lesson Plan
Students will learn to apply a digital media literacy rubric to evaluate the credibility and reliability of online content by analyzing examples and scoring real-world sources.
In an age of misinformation, teaching students to critically assess digital content builds their media literacy, promotes informed decision-making, and combats false narratives.
Audience
7th Grade
Time
30 minutes
Approach
Interactive rubric-driven analysis
Prep
Review Materials & Setup
10 minutes
- Print enough copies of the Digital Media Reliability Rubric Handout and the Credibility Example Analysis Worksheet for each pair of students.
- Load and preview the Digital Detectives Slide Deck on the classroom projector or smartboard.
- Arrange seating in pairs or small groups to facilitate discussion.
- Familiarize yourself with the rubric criteria and sample analyses to model scoring.
Step 1
Introduction & Hook
5 minutes
- Display the first slide of the Digital Detectives Slide Deck featuring a sensational headline.
- Ask: "Would you share this online? How do we know if it’s true or reliable?"
- Highlight today’s goal: use a rubric to become digital detectives.
Step 2
Teach Rubric Criteria
7 minutes
- Walk through each criterion on the rubric: Authority, Accuracy, Bias, Currency, and Purpose.
- For each criterion, show a real-world example slide and model how you’d rate it using the rubric.
- Invite students to ask clarifying questions about any rubric category.
Step 3
Guided Practice
10 minutes
- Distribute the Credibility Example Analysis Worksheet.
- In pairs, students analyze two sample online articles or posts, scoring each against the rubric.
- Circulate to support scoring decisions and prompt deeper thinking (e.g., "What evidence supports your accuracy score?").
Step 4
Group Discussion & Debrief
5 minutes
- Reconvene as a whole class.
- Invite pairs to share one finding: a strength or red flag they discovered.
- Discuss common pitfalls (e.g., unchecked bias, outdated info) and best practices for verifying sources.
Step 5
Assessment & Exit Ticket
3 minutes
- Ask each student to write down:
- One credible source they find online and why (using rubric).
- One questionable source and which rubric criteria failed.
- Collect exit tickets to gauge individual understanding and rubric application.
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Slide Deck
Digital Detectives
Evaluating Online Content with Critical Thinking
7th Grade • 30-Minute Lesson
Welcome students and introduce the lesson. Mention the blue gradient theme and today’s goal: become digital detectives by learning a rubric to spot misinformation.
Hook: Sensational Headline!
“Scientists Discover Chocolate Cures All Diseases!”
• Would you share this online?
• How can we check if it’s true?
Display a big, colorful image of the headline. Ask students to read it quietly, then invite a few quick shares of their first impressions.
Today’s Objectives
• Understand five rubric criteria
• Apply the rubric to real-world content
• Share findings and reflect on reliability
Briefly outline what students will learn and why it matters. Connect to real life—everyone uses social media!
What Is a Digital Detective?
A digital detective uses critical thinking and a structured rubric to
• Spot misinformation
• Verify sources
• Make informed decisions online
Define the role of a digital detective. Emphasize curiosity, skepticism, and systematic evaluation.
Digital Media Reliability Rubric
- Authority: Who is the author or publisher?
- Accuracy: Is the information supported by evidence?
- Bias: Is there a slant or agenda?
- Currency: How recent is the information?
- Purpose: Why was it published?
Hand out the Digital Media Reliability Rubric Handout. Briefly show each criterion—authority, accuracy, bias, currency, purpose.
Criterion: Authority
Example: “Health Advice from Unknown Blogger”
• Author not identified?
• No credentials listed?
Authority Score: Low
Model scoring an authority example. Highlight author credentials and publication domain.
Criterion: Accuracy
Example: “Study Claims Earth Will End in 2025”
• No source citations?
• Contradicts NASA data?
Accuracy Score: Low
Show an example with clear factual errors. Point out missing citations or contradictory data.
Criterion: Bias
Example: “Politician X Is the Worst Ever!”
• Uses loaded words?
• Ignores opposing views?
Bias Score: High
Highlight language that appeals to emotion or one-sided viewpoints.
Criterion: Currency
Example: “Top Tech Trends of 2010”
• Published 14 years ago?
• No updates?
Currency Score: Low
Discuss why up-to-date info matters. Show a dated article used as a current source.
Criterion: Purpose
Example: “7 Secrets to Lose Weight Fast (Buy Our Product!)”
• Primarily an ad?
• No balanced info?
Purpose Score: Commercial
Examine hidden agendas—ads, sponsored content, or clickbait motives.
Guided Practice
• Analyze two sample posts
• Score each criterion (Authority, Accuracy, Bias, Currency, Purpose)
• Note evidence for each score
Divide students into pairs. Remind them to use the rubric on the Credibility Example Analysis Worksheet. Encourage discussion and critical questions as you circulate.
Group Discussion & Debrief
• Share one strength or red flag found
• Discuss common pitfalls (e.g., unchecked bias, outdated info)
• Highlight best practices for verification
Bring the class back together. Call on a few pairs to share. Record common red flags and best practices on the board.
Assessment & Exit Ticket
- One credible source you found online and why (use rubric)
- One questionable source and which criteria failed
Collect exit tickets as students finish. Use their responses to plan any reteaching or follow-up.
Worksheet
Digital Media Reliability Rubric Handout
Use this rubric to evaluate online content. For each category, circle a score from 1 (Low) to 5 (High), then provide evidence or notes supporting your decision.
1. Authority
Definition: Who is the author or publisher? Do they have credentials or a reputation in the field?
Score: 1 2 3 4 5
Evidence / Notes:
2. Accuracy
Definition: Is the information supported by credible evidence, citations, or data? Are there factual errors or contradictions?
Score: 1 2 3 4 5
Evidence / Notes:
3. Bias
Definition: Is there a slant, loaded language, or one-sided perspective? Does the content present multiple viewpoints fairly?
Score: 1 2 3 4 5
Evidence / Notes:
4. Currency
Definition: How recent is the information? Is the content up-to-date and relevant to current events or research?
Score: 1 2 3 4 5
Evidence / Notes:
5. Purpose
Definition: Why was this published? To inform, persuade, sell, entertain, or mislead? Are there hidden agendas (ads, sponsored content)?
Score: 1 2 3 4 5
Evidence / Notes:
After scoring all five criteria, total your scores (minimum 5, maximum 25). A higher total indicates a more reliable source. Use this worksheet alongside the Digital Detectives Slide Deck and the Credibility Example Analysis Worksheet for guided practice.
Worksheet
Credibility Example Analysis Worksheet
Use the Digital Media Reliability Rubric Handout to guide your analysis. In pairs, examine each online example below. For each criterion, circle or write your score (1–5) and provide brief evidence or notes. Total your scores and reflect on your findings.
Example 1: Article / Post Details
Title or URL:
- Authority (Who is the author/publisher? Credentials?):
- Score: ____
- Evidence / Notes:
- Accuracy (Supported by evidence? Citations? Errors?):
- Score: ____
- Evidence / Notes:
- Bias (Loaded language? One-sided?):
- Score: ____
- Evidence / Notes:
- Currency (How recent? Up-to-date?):
- Score: ____
- Evidence / Notes:
- Purpose (Inform, persuade, sell, entertain?):
- Score: ____
- Evidence / Notes:
Total Score (5–25): ____
Overall Reflection: What stood out as a strength or red flag in this source?
Example 2: Article / Post Details
Title or URL:
- Authority (Who is the author/publisher? Credentials?):
- Score: ____
- Evidence / Notes:
- Accuracy (Supported by evidence? Citations? Errors?):
- Score: ____
- Evidence / Notes:
- Bias (Loaded language? One-sided?):
- Score: ____
- Evidence / Notes:
- Currency (How recent? Up-to-date?):
- Score: ____
- Evidence / Notes:
- Purpose (Inform, persuade, sell, entertain?):
- Score: ____
- Evidence / Notes:
Total Score (5–25): ____
Overall Reflection: Which rubric criteria influenced your trust in this source and why?
When you finish, be prepared to share one key finding from each example during our Group Discussion & Debrief. Refer back to the Digital Detectives Slide Deck for supporting examples and teacher guidance.