Is This For Real?
Have students imagine that somebody told them there was a frog called a “glass frog” that had:
- see-through skin
- eyes like Kermit the Frog’s
- and a visible heart and stomach.
How would they find out if that was for real?
After students have discussed the question for a few minutes, open a search engine such as Google on the data projector or digital whiteboard and search for glass frog. Scroll the results slowly enough for students to look at them.
Ask: How many of these seem like trusted expert sources?
How can they tell?
Now open the MediaSmarts Trusted Source search and search for glass frog. Scroll the results slowly enough for students to look at them.
With older students, you may wish to have them do these searches on their own. If you do, you may choose to have some students use the general Google search and have other use the Trusted Source search and then compare the experience.
Ask: How do these compare to the first set of search results?
Which seemed like it would be easier to find a reliable answer to your question?
Click on one of the results and read through the article to confirm that glass frogs are actually real.
Ask students whether they have ever done a similar exercise. If so, what might be different since the last time they did?