Everyday Fact‑Checking: Trustworthy or Not?

Practical tools to spot misinformation, verify everyday claims, and strengthen your research skills.

Created byMarj Atkinson

Last updated 7/2026

English

What you'll learn

Evaluate online information quickly using simple checks to decide what you can trust.
Cite the sources you use clearly and correctly in projects, school work, or content you create.
Use online information ethically, avoiding plagiarism and sharing misleading or inaccurate content.
Identify fact-checking sites, search engines, and databases that help verify information more effectively

Course content

1 section • 6 lectures • 44m total length

Introduction3:02
By the end of the course, learners will be able to:
Identify instances of misinformation and disinformation and explain the difference between the two
Use strategies such as CRAAP and lateral reading to evaluate information resources
Access tools that help them to use information ethically and effectively
Misinformation and Disinformation6:28
By understanding the potential dangers of misinformation and disinformation, researchers are better prepared to evaluate potential sources of information and reject those judged to be unreliable or actively malicious.
CRAAP (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose)9:15
Using the CRAAP Method to evaluate the Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose of potential research sources can help ensure that the information in those sources is reliable and can be used effectively to support the research task.
Lateral Reading6:13
By using lateral reading to establish a resource's place within the context of work on similar topics, researchers can make informed decisions about the reliability and usefulness of that resource.
Case Studies7:43
By using the CRAAP method and the technique of lateral reading in these case studies to assess the resources in question, we can see how effectively these tools help determine the reliability and applicability of the resources we encounter in the course of our research.
Online Tools11:29
Beginning the research process with an informed understanding of available search engines, databases, and other tools that support effective research through a media-literacy lens can make the process more efficient and worthwhile for the researcher.

Requirements

General knowledge of looking up and consuming online content

Description

Information is everywhere—headlines, social media feeds, viral videos, and group chats—but not all of it is accurate, fair, or trustworthy. This course gives you a practical, jargon‑free toolkit to recognize misinformation and disinformation, understand the difference between them, and evaluate what you see with much more confidence. It’s designed for beginning researchers, students, educators, and curious citizens who want clear steps, not information overload.

You’ll learn how to:

Spot real‑world examples of misinformation and disinformation and explain how they differ
Apply simple, research‑based evaluation strategies to news, websites, videos, and social media posts
Use lateral reading to quickly check what other credible sources say about a claim
Combine multiple evaluation tools (like CRAAP, SIFT, checklists, and quick fact‑check moves) to decide what to trust, share, or cite
Access tools that help you credit sources properly and use information ethically in your own work

Throughout the course, you’ll see demonstrations, guided practice, and short reflections that connect these skills directly to your own topics and everyday information habits. You won’t just learn definitions—you’ll practice evaluating headlines, posts, and articles that look a lot like what you encounter in real life. By the end, you’ll be able to move beyond “gut feelings” and use clear, repeatable steps to judge the quality and credibility of information in your academic, professional, and everyday life.

With gratitude to Alison Ching, MLIS, for designing the course and bringing her library and information skills, course design prowess, and persistent commitment to improvements. LinkedIn: alison-ching-42842a94

Who this course is for:

People who regularly read news, blogs, or social media and want to tell reliable information from misleading content.
Beginning researchers, students, or lifelong learners who need simple ways to evaluate sources for school, work, or personal projects.
Educators, librarians, and content creators who want a quick, practical way to teach or apply CRAAP and SIFT to everyday information.