LIS 568 Review - News Literacy Project

Checkology: The Essential Tool for Teaching News Literacy in Schools

As a library science student, I’m constantly thinking about how we can help students navigate the complex, often overwhelming world of information. Between social media, 24/7 news cycles, and the sheer volume of content students consume, it can be hard to teach them how to evaluate what’s credible, what’s fake, and what’s just a little too questionable. That’s where Checkology, the online platform from the News Literacy Project, really shines. It’s a resource I’ve come to see as essential for any school librarian or educator interested in fostering critical thinking skills in students—especially when it comes to news and media literacy.

So, let me break down what Checkology is, how it works, and why it’s such a game-changer for schools.

What Is Checkology?

At its core, Checkology is an interactive, web-based platform designed to teach students how to analyze and evaluate news. It’s all about giving students the skills they need to figure out which sources are credible, spot misinformation, and navigate the information jungle we live in today. Media literacy is more important than ever, and Checkology offers a structured way to build those skills in students.

Through engaging lessons, Checkology teaches the fundamentals of news literacy—like identifying reliable sources, spotting bias, evaluating evidence, and recognizing misinformation. Students can interact with real-world examples, honing their critical thinking skills while learning about media bias, the role of the press, and how news is created and consumed.

How Does Checkology Work?

Checkology is divided into several modules, each one tackling a different aspect of news literacy. Here’s a deeper look at what you and your students can expect from the platform:

Interactive Lessons and Modules

Each lesson is designed to teach a specific concept, such as:

- Making Sense of Data: Explore how we create, interact with, and are influenced by data in all aspects of our lives and learn how to evaluate the accuracy of data-based claims and visualizations

- InfoZones: Categorize information into one of six "zones": news, opinion, entertainment, advertising, propaganda, or raw info

- Be the Editor: This interactive lesson tests your news judgment as you select the most newsworthy stories to feature on the homepage of your news site, then explain your choices

Real-World Application

What I really appreciate about Checkology is how it doesn’t just present theories. The platform uses real-world news stories—some credible, some questionable—and asks students to evaluate them. This allows them to practice the skills they’re learning in a real-time, hands-on way. Whether it’s identifying the source of an article or cross-checking facts, students get the chance to apply their knowledge and think critically about what they’re reading.

Assessments and Progress Tracking

Each module contains short assessments to check students’ understanding. These quizzes are helpful for reinforcing the concepts covered in the lessons. As an educator or librarian, you can track student progress and get a sense of which areas they may need more help with. It’s a useful tool for measuring growth in media literacy over time.

How Can Checkology Be Incorporated into Schools?

From my perspective as a library science student, I see Checkology as an invaluable resource for school libraries and classrooms alike. Here are a few ways it can be used:

1. Collaboration with Teachers

As a librarian, you can collaborate with teachers across disciplines—especially in social studies, history, and current events—to incorporate Checkology lessons into the classroom. For example, when students are studying a current event or political issue, you can help guide them through Checkology’s modules on evaluating sources and recognizing bias. This makes news literacy an integrated part of their learning.

2. Library Media Literacy Classes

For school librarians, Checkology is a perfect fit for media literacy lessons. These classes could focus on teaching students the basics of news literacy—evaluating sources, fact-checking, and identifying misinformation. With Checkology, you can create a hands-on learning experience for students, using real-world examples to test their new skills. It’s a fun way to get students engaged while also giving them skills they can use outside of the classroom.

3. After-School Clubs and Workshops

Checkology could be a key part of after-school clubs or workshops focused on journalism or media literacy. For students interested in writing, digital journalism, or even social media, Checkology can help them understand the role of news in society and how to produce responsible, credible content. It could also help them be more discerning consumers of information, which is an important skill for young adults to have as they begin to navigate the digital world more independently.

4. Professional Development for Teachers and Librarians

Another benefit of Checkology is that it’s not just for students—it’s a resource for educators too. Teachers and librarians can use Checkology for their own professional development, learning how to integrate news literacy into their classrooms. This is especially important in a time when digital literacy is becoming a core part of education. By offering workshops or training sessions for teachers, librarians can help their colleagues understand how to teach students to evaluate news sources and think critically about media.

Conclusion

As a library science student, I’m passionate about teaching students how to engage with information in a thoughtful, responsible way. News literacy is essential because, without it, students are more vulnerable to misinformation and biased reporting. By teaching students how to evaluate sources, recognize misinformation, and think critically about news, we’re empowering them to be informed citizens.

Checkology is a fantastic tool for this job. It provides a comprehensive, interactive way for students to learn these skills, and it’s easy to integrate into various subjects. Whether it’s through classroom lessons, after-school clubs, or library workshops, Checkology gives educators and librarians the resources they need to help students become smarter, more informed consumers of news.