DIGITAL CITIZENSHIP | GRADE 10

Challenging
Confirmation
Bias

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 Essential Question

How can we challenge our own confirmation bias?

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 Learning Objectives

l Define confirmation bias and identify why it occurs.

2 Explore examples of confirmation bias, particularly

related to news and online information.

Identify strategies for challenging our own

3 confirmation biases.

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THINK-PAIR-SHARE

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KEY VOCABULARY

Confirmation bias
A tendency to interpret information in a way that
affirms what we already believe

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KEY VOCABULARY

Cognitive bias
Limitations in our thinking caused by perceiving
information through our personal experiences and
preferences

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 WATCH + DISCUSS

Discuss:
● Why does confirmation bias
make us more likely to be
fooled by "fake news"?

To watch this video on KQED Learn and continue the discussion, click here.

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WATCH + DISCUSS

Recognize that you have confirmation bias.

Consider that you may not really

understand what you think you do.

Research and break down the viewpoint of

those who disagree with you.

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ACTIVITY: BIASED BRAINS

Directions

In your group, choose two resources to review. As you

review, track what each says about confirmation bias and
fake news. Capture your thoughts in the notes section.
Review additional resources as time allows.

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ACTIVITY: CLASS DISCUSSION

How does confirmation bias make us more likely to believe fake

news? What can we do about it?

Directions:
1. Close your computer halfway.
2. Track the speaker and practice active listening.
3. If you need to refer to your notes, check your screen quickly and then
close it halfway again.

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Strategies for Challenging Confirmation Bias
1. [Capture student responses here.]

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ACTIVITY: CHALLENGING CONFIRMATION BIAS

Directions
In your group, create a mnemonic (ni-ˈmä-nik) device that includes at least three strategies
you learned about to help people confront their own confirmation bias when they read news
and encounter information online. A mnemonic device is a word or series of letters that helps
you remember steps or strategies for something. Common examples of mnemonic devices
include:

Mnemonic Description Function

device

Parentheses, Exponent, Multiplication, Division, Order of operations

PEMDAS Addition, Subtraction

Sit up, Track the speaker, Ask questions, Classroom discussion

STAND
Note-take, Disagree respectfully expectations

ROY G. BIV Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Indigo, Violet Color spectrum

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commonsense.org/education
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