Challenging Confirmation Bias

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

Our brains are great at using past experiences to make quick decisions on the fly, but these shortcuts can also lead to bias. "Confirmation bias" is our brain's tendency to seek out information that confirms things we already think we know. Help your students learn to recognize this when they encounter news online, as a way to examine competing opinions and ideas and to avoid drawing questionable conclusions.

Students will be able to:

  • Define confirmation bias and identify why it occurs.

  • Explore examples of confirmation bias, particularly related to news and online information.

  • Identify strategies for challenging their own confirmation biases.

Users will need to create a free account to access this resource. 

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 09-12

DLCS18.HS.R3

Assess the validity and identify the purpose of digital content.

UP:DLCS18.HS.R3

Knowledge

Students know:
  • not all information found online is valid.
  • some information is shared online to promote an agenda.
  • all information has a purpose.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • assess the validity of digital content.
  • identify the purpose of digital content.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • not all information available digitally is accurate, valid, and/or unbiased.
  • some users/groups misrepresent information in an effort to skew perceptions.

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

Common Sense Media

License Type

Custom
ALSDE LOGO