Module 5 Discussion: Locating and Evaluating Sources: Two Truths and a Lie

This discussion will help you reflect on your digital reading habits while having some fun with your classmates. You will research a topic of your choice, analyze your reading practices, and test your classmates’ fact-checking skills by mixing real facts with one plausible lie.

Discussion Instructions

STEP 1: Select a topic that interests you. It doesn’t have to be a serious issue; it could be a favorite musician, movie, hobby, or a place you’d like to visit someday. Then, set a timer for 10 minutes and search for information about your chosen topic. Visit at least four different websites during this time, and collect two true facts about your topic.

STEP 2: As you search, pay attention to how you navigate through websites. Take notes and reflect on your reading habits using these prompts:

  • Navigation: How do you move from one site to the next? Do you follow hyperlinks, use search engine results, or open new tabs?
  • Decision-Making: What influences your decision to stay on a website or move on?
  • Reading Style: Are you skimming for key information or reading closely?
  • Insights: What are you learning about yourself as a digital reader?

STEP 3: Write a discussion post that:

  • Briefly introduces the topic you researched.
  • Provides two true facts and one plausible but false fact. List them in no particular order to make it harder to guess.
  • Includes a short reflection (100-150 words) on your digital reading experience. Discuss what you noticed about your reading habits and any insights you gained.

STEP 4: Choose one classmate’s post and spend no more than 2 minutes fact-checking their facts using a quick web search. After your brief search, guess which fact is the false one. Reply with your guess and briefly explain why you think it might be the lie. Feel free to share your thought process or any evidence you found.

Be respectful and thoughtful in your responses. Try to avoid repeating what others have said—provide specific feedback, new insights, or a different perspective to engage in a meaningful conversation.

Rubric

Sample Grading Rubric
Criteria Proficient Developing Not Evident Points
Follows prompt directions Follows the prompt instructions. Somewhat follows the prompt instructions. Examples may incomplete. Does not follow the instructions. __/10
Responds to peers Response is engaged with peer’s post. Posts on time. Response is somewhat engaged with peer’s post. Post is short and/or late. Does not follow the instructions. __/10
Total: __/20