Lesson 4: Hands-On Fact-Checking Practice (M3-U3-L4)

M3-U3-L4-A Text "News"

Introduction

Now that you’ve learned how to check news, spot clickbait, and verify images, it’s time to put it all into practice.In this final lesson, you’ll walk through a real-world article, use tools like fact-checking websites and reverse image search, and test your skills step by step.

You’ll also learn how to help others, especially older adults, do the same — using clear, easy steps and real examples.

Ana Puts Her Skills to Work

Ana, 68, is helping her neighbour who saw a worrying article online. The headline says:
“Government secretly bans common vitamins!”

It sounds dramatic — but Ana doesn’t panic. She checks:

  • The article’s source: it’s from a blog, not a health agency.
  • The facts: she uses PolitiFact and finds no real evidence.
  • The images: with reverse image search, she sees the same photo used in an old post from another country.

Ana realises the story is misleading, and now she’s helping her neighbour understand why. In this lesson, you’ll do what Ana did.

QUiz

M3-U3-L4-C Screen shot of a tablet showing "News"

Quick Guide

M3-U3-L4-D Image showing the text "Fake News"

Here’s a quick guide you can use (or share) when helping someone else check a post or article:

Step 1: Identify the claim
 What is the article or post really saying?

Step 2: Find the source
 Is it a news agency, a blog, or unknown?

Step 3: Check the facts
Use PolitiFact, FactCheck.org, or search official websites.

Step 4: Verify images
 Use Google Images or TinEye to check where a photo came from.

Step 5: Watch for red flags

  • Emotional language
  • No sources or quotes
  • Fake-sounding websites

Be patient. Go step by step. Explain as you go.

Final Summary – You Did It!

Congratulations — you’ve finished Lesson 4, and that means you’ve completed Unit 3 and the entire Module on Fact-Checking and Media Literacy.

Let’s take a moment to reflect on everything you’ve learned:

You explored how to check where photos and stories really come from
You learned how to spot clickbait, emotional headlines, and false claims
You practised using trusted tools like PolitiFact, Google Images, and TinEye
And most importantly — you built the confidence to help others do the same

This isn’t just about reading online — it’s about thinking clearly, asking questions, and sharing skills with others, especially older adults who might need a bit of extra help.

Thank you for taking this journey. You’re now part of a growing group of smart, caring media users who want to make the internet a little safer, clearer, and kinder.

Keep questioning. Keep checking. And keep sharing what you know.