Checkology Virtual Classroom is a comprehensive, free e-learning platform designed by the News Literacy Project to enhance students’ critical thinking and news literacy skills. Here’s an overview of what the product does and its key features:
Purpose and Objective
Checkology aims to equip students, particularly those in grades 6-12, with the skills to distinguish between fact and fiction, identify credible information, and navigate the complex information landscape. The platform focuses on building news literacy, enabling students to become informed and engaged participants in civic life.Key Features
Interactive Lessons
Checkology offers 13 interactive lessons, some of which are also available in Spanish, organized into four distinct news literacy topics and skill sets:- Filtering news and information
- Exercising civic freedoms
- Navigating the information landscape
- Learning how to know what to believe
Customizable Curriculum
Educators can customize and sequence lessons based on classroom objectives, allowing for flexibility in integrating the curriculum into their teaching plans. The lessons align closely with educational standards, making it easier for teachers to incorporate them into their existing curricula.Independent and Collaborative Learning
Checkology supports both independent and collaborative learning, enabling students to progress at their own pace. The platform includes game-like exercises, quizzes, and challenges that extend and expand on the concepts and skills introduced in the lessons.Supplemental Activities and Tools
The platform includes a variety of supplemental activities such as:- MisinfoQuest: Interactive exercises to practice fact-checking skills.
- InfoZones: Lessons focused on specific topics like immigration.
- Evaluating Evidence Online: Activities to help students verify social media content.
- The Check Center: Tools designed to build skills and habits to detect and debunk misinformation.
Accessibility Features
Checkology is designed to be accessible, with features that support users with disabilities. The platform is compatible with screen readers, providing image descriptions and assessment text spoken aloud, adhering to WCAG standards.Educational Resources and Support
The platform offers a range of resources for both teachers and students, including:- Word Wall: A glossary of news literacy terms.
- Discuss Wall: An optional classroom discussion wall for student responses.
- Messaging System: Educators can send announcements, text-response, and multiple-choice messages to students.
- Journalist Visits: Opportunities for virtual or in-person visits from NLP’s journalist volunteers.
- Lightweight Learning Management System (LMS): Educators can access and evaluate all student submissions.