Digital Information Evaluation Worksheet
🔍 Part 1: Key Concepts - Understanding Digital Information
1. Match each term with its correct definition:
1. Credible source
2. Bias
3. Misinformation
4. Digital deception
A. False or misleading information spread online
B. A trustworthy and reliable information source
C. Deliberately creating fake content to mislead people
D. Favouring one side or viewpoint over others
2. Circle the best answer: What is the main difference between fact and opinion?
Facts are longer than opinions
Facts can be proven true or false, opinions are personal beliefs
Facts are always written by experts
Opinions are always wrong
🕵️ Part 2: Digital Detective Checklist
3. When evaluating online information, which factors should you check? (Tick all that apply)
Who wrote or created the content?
What is the purpose of the content?
How many likes or shares it has
When was it published or updated?
Are there reliable sources and evidence provided?
The colour scheme of the website
Does the language seem balanced or emotional?
4. Fill in the blanks with the missing words from the word bank:
Word Bank: author, evidence, bias, purpose, recent
When checking online information, always look for the __________ to see who created the content. Check if the information is __________ and up-to-date. Look for supporting __________ like statistics or expert quotes. Consider the __________ - is it to inform, persuade, or sell something? Finally, watch out for __________ that might make the information one-sided.
📰 Part 3: Source Evaluation Practice
5. You find an article online titled "Miracle Cure Discovered!" with no author listed, published on a website selling health products. Rate this source's credibility:
Highly credible - it sounds exciting
Somewhat credible - health information is important
Not very credible - several red flags present
Completely credible - it's on the internet
6. Explain your answer from question 5. What red flags did you notice?
7. A news article about climate change includes quotes from three different scientists, lists the publication date as yesterday, and is written by an environmental journalist. The website is a well-known news organisation. How would you rate this source?
Not credible
Somewhat credible
Very credible
Cannot determine from this information
🌐 Part 4: Real-World Application
8. Think about how misinformation might particularly affect Māori communities and other groups in New Zealand. Give one example:
9. Create your own "Critical Questions Toolbox" - write down 4 questions you can ask yourself when evaluating online information:
💭 Part 5: Personal Reflection
10. Reflect on your own digital information habits. How often do you check if online information is reliable before sharing or believing it?
Always - I check every source carefully
Often - I check most sources
Sometimes - I check when it seems important
Rarely - I usually trust what I see online
Never - I haven't thought about this before
11. Write down ONE specific strategy you will use going forward to check the credibility of online information:
12. Why do you think it's important for young people in New Zealand to develop strong critical thinking skills about digital information?
🏠 Homework Preparation
13. For homework, you need to find one online source about a current issue and evaluate its credibility. What current issue interests you most?
14. Use this space to plan your homework evaluation. Write down the key things you'll look for:
