Hoax Hunters

Hoax (defined at dictionary.com): 

An act intended to deceive or trick.

The Internet is an overwhelming place to get information. A certain percent of the information that is circulated via e-mail or posted on websites is false. We must be more critical of the information that we access on the Internet. It would be a shame to cite sources from the Internet without thoroughly investigating whether the information is true or a down right hoax.

1.   You will get a brief introduction about the seriousness of online fallacies.

2.  Your job will be to investigate websites that have been circulated or seen by thousands of people.

3.  After doing research, you will determine if those sites are truthful or if they are a hoax.

Once you have completed this webquest, you will be more critical of information on the Internet and your research skills will be more advanced.

(Clementi, Chris.  Hoax or Not?)

The following task will be followed in order to complete this webquest:

You and your partner will look at two websites and determine if they are hoaxes or not by doing a thorough investigation using your Website Credibility Rubric.  Efficient research skills will be critical in the completion of this assignment.

• You will carefully move through the rubric one step at a time and rate each criteria:  
• Test all links
• Examine all graphics
• Read text
• Question one another and come to a consensus.
• In the notes section, give reasons to support your score.

Once you have completed the tasks involved in this assignment, you will be more Internet savvy and less susceptible to scams. 

Follow the steps to complete this project. Click on the hyperlinks to get the websites needed to complete this assignment. 

PARTNER WORK:

1.  One partner will come and get a Hoax Investigation folder.  

2.  The second partner will get a pen or pencil.

3.  After writing your names on the folder, click on Sample 1.  Carefully read through and together rate the website according to the Website Credibility Rubric.  BE CRITICAL!     

4.  Perform the same careful investigation of Sample 2.

5.  Place your completed rubrics in your folder.

INDEPENDENT WORK:

Now try the process on your own.  

1.  Choose one site from the following link.  

2.  Write your name and the name of the website on the top of the rubric.

3.  Carefully examine the site and complete your own Website Credibility Rubric.  Be sure to include strong reasons to support your conclusions.

Your evaluation:

Your work on the Hoax Hunters Webquest will be evaluated in the following ways:

1.  Teacher observation:

• On task behavior (work completion, topical discussions)
• Teamwork/cooperation
• Completion of tasks

2.  Website Credibility Rubrics (2 partner, 1 independent)

3.  Google Form:  Please complete the following evaluation to assess your understanding of the credibility of websites on the Internet.

This Webquest was created based on the work of Chris Clementi, Hoax or Not?

ISTE NETS Standards:

• Technology Standards 1 Students understand basic operations and concepts of technology systems.
• Technology Standards 2 Students understand the ethical, cultural and societal issues relating to technology. 
• Technology Standards 3 Students use technology to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity. 
• Technology Standards 5 Students use technology to locate, evaluate and collect information from a variety of sources. 
• Technology Standards 6 Students use technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions.

Common Core State Standards:

• 6: Writing, Standard 8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility of each source.
• 7-8: Writing, Standard 8: Gather relevant information from multiple print and digital sources; assess the credibility and accuracy of each source