Think Before You Click: Teaching Critical Literacy in the Age of AI

Outline

1. Welcome (5 minutes)
Brief introduction to the urgency of teaching critical literacy in an AI-saturated world by showing a clip of a Deep Fake video
Pose a provocative question: “How do we teach students to think critically when AI can answer everything?”
Encourage interactive in person responses to gather initial thoughts.

2. What Is Critical Literacy in 2026? (10 minutes)
Define critical literacy and its evolution in the digital age.

Discuss how AI, misinformation, and media bias have reshaped the need for deeper evaluation skills.

Share examples of student misconceptions and real-world consequences of poor digital literacy.

3. Tools That Teach Thinking: Microsoft Search Coach & Checkology (20 minutes)
Demonstrate how these platforms support inquiry and digital citizenship.
Walk through sample lessons using each tool and share personal experiences

4. Exploration time (15 minutes)
Allow for time to explore inside of tools and encourage conversation amongst attendees peer: peer

Engagement: (5 mins)
Participants complete “How News Literate Are You” resource from NewsLitProject

6. Wrap-Up & Resource Share (5 minutes)
Recap key takeaways and invite reflection: “What will you change in your classroom tomorrow?”

Outcomes

Teach students to evaluate digital content for credibility, bias, and accuracy, including AI-generated information.

Apply inquiry-based strategies to promote student questioning, reflection, and independent thinking.

Support student agency by creating opportunities for learners to investigate real-world issues and construct informed perspectives.

Leave with ready-to-use lesson plans, curated resources, and a framework for embedding critical literacy into daily instruction.

Supporting research

https://newslit.org/

https://www.iste.org/standards

https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/training/educator-center/instructor-materials/search-coach

https://www.academia.edu/26190252/Becoming_text_analysts_Unpacking_purpose_and_perspective

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research

https://www.commonsensemedia.org/research/research-brief-teens-trust-and-technology-in-the-age-of-ai

https://www.edutopia.org/article/critical-thinking-framework-for-elementary-school/