E8 M - Check an online claim
aiMOOCE8 M - Check an online claim
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E8 M - Check an online claim
Mini-Beschreibung: Check one simple English online claim. Focus on source, date, evidence and another source. Work mostly in English. Use German help only when you need it.
Einleitung
Online claims can look confident and still be wrong. Your job is not to believe or reject them quickly. Your job is to check.
Today’s fictional post:
@QuickFactsWorld · 14 May 2026
“Paris fact: The Eiffel Tower is made of steel.”
The profile is fictional. Do not search for or share private social-media data.
Your route: English first → context → try → ask → hint → German help if needed. No full translation is needed.
I can ...
- I can identify a claim and separate it from evidence.
- I can check source and date before I share a post.
- I can compare two sources and explain which evidence answers the claim.
- I can report what another person said and use the passive when it helps.
- I can give a short fact-check with a clear result and reasons.
What you already know
Try first: What makes a source useful? Think of two signs.
Hint: author, organisation, date, evidence, links, purpose.
Deutsch-Hilfe: Du musst nicht jedes Wort verstehen. Suche zuerst nach Hinweisen auf Urheber, Zeitpunkt und Belege.
Media start: look before you judge
Look at the image below. Name three things you would check before trusting an online post.
Key idea: Do not stay on one page. Open another tab and check what other reliable sources say. This is called lateral reading.
Viewing task: Watch the first few minutes. Write down two actions the speaker recommends. Compare your notes with a partner. Do not try to catch every word.
The four-step check
| Step | Question | What you do |
|---|---|---|
| Source | Who is behind the claim? | Look for an author, organisation and purpose. |
| Date | When was it posted or updated? | Decide if the date matters for this claim. |
| Evidence | What supports the claim? | Look for direct facts, data, documents or expert information. |
| Another source | Does a second reliable source agree? | Open a new tab and compare. |
Fast rule: A confident tone is not evidence.
Guided claim check
Step 1: Source
Try: @QuickFactsWorld gives no named author, no organisation and no evidence in the post.
Ask: Is that enough to prove the claim is false?
Answer: No. A weak source makes the claim less trustworthy, but you still check the claim itself.
Deutsch-Hilfe: Eine schwache Quelle ist ein Warnsignal, aber noch kein Gegenbeweis.
Step 2: Date
The fictional post says 14 May 2026. For a historical material claim, age matters less than it would for live news, prices or weather. Still, record the date so your check is transparent.
Step 3: Evidence
The post gives no evidence. Now use a stronger source.
The official Eiffel Tower website explains that the structure is made of puddle iron and explicitly says it is iron, not steel: Official Eiffel Tower source
Evidence note: The page explains the material and the puddling process. That directly answers the claim.
Step 4: Another source
A materials-engineering page from Purdue University also describes the Tower as made of puddling iron rather than modern construction steel: Purdue Materials Engineering
Result: The claim “The Eiffel Tower is made of steel” is false. Two relevant sources identify the structural material as puddle iron.
Model fact-check: “The post was checked against the official Eiffel Tower website and a university engineering source. Both sources describe the Tower as puddle iron, not steel. The claim is therefore false.”
Listening and viewing
Before viewing: Predict: Why can reading only one source be risky?
During viewing: Note three ideas about choosing or checking news.
After viewing: In pairs, say which idea you could use when checking @QuickFactsWorld.
Viewing focus: Listen for the idea that repeated information is not automatically independent evidence.
Optional class listening: Three learners read this dialogue at a natural, moderate pace. Recording is voluntary and should stay private unless everyone has agreed.
Maya: This post says the Eiffel Tower is made of steel.
Leo: Who posted it, and where is the evidence?
Nora: I checked the official site. It says puddle iron, not steel.
Maya: So we need another source before we finish.
Leo: Right. Purdue says puddling iron too. Now the claim has been checked.
Reading
Adapted source note: The official Eiffel Tower page explains that iron was used for the Tower and that puddling removes excess carbon. It also asks why Eiffel chose iron rather than steel.
Task: Find the sentence idea that answers the online claim. Then write one English sentence beginning with: The strongest evidence is ...
Hint: You do not need every technical detail.
Context vocabulary
| Word | Useful meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| claim | a statement that may need checking | The claim sounds surprising. |
| source | where information comes from | Check the source first. |
| evidence | information that supports or challenges a claim | The post gives no evidence. |
| reliable | trustworthy for this purpose | We need a reliable source. |
| verify | check whether something is correct | Verify before you share. |
| misleading | giving a wrong impression | A true detail can still be misleading. |
Pronunciation
Say the words clearly; accent-free speech is not the goal.
- claim /kleɪm/ – one syllable.
- source /sɔːs/ – keep the final sound clear.
- evidence /ˈevɪdəns/ – stress the first syllable.
- reliable /rɪˈlaɪəbəl/ – stress the second syllable.
Functional grammar for fact-checking
Passive: focus on the action
Use the passive when the checking action matters more than the person.
Active: We checked the claim.
Passive: The claim was checked against two sources.
Try: Rewrite: “The official website describes the material as puddle iron.” → “The material ______ as puddle iron.”
Hint: is described
Reported speech: report what people said
Statement with backshift: Maya said, “The claim is false.” → Maya said that the claim was false.
Reported question: Leo asked, “Is the source official?” → Leo asked whether the source was official.
Reported command: The teacher said, “Check another source.” → The teacher told us to check another source.
Focus: meaning first, then accuracy.
Speaking
Give a 45–60 second fact-check.
Frame: “The claim says ... The source is ... The date is ... The evidence says ... Another source says ... My result is ...”
Ask for help: “Could you repeat that?” · “What does evidence mean here?” · “Can I use this source?”
Feedback partner: Listen for one strong reason and one place that needs clearer evidence.
Writing
Write 80–120 words.
Task: Check the fictional Eiffel Tower claim. Include source, date, evidence, another source and a result.
Useful language: “According to ...” · “The claim was posted on ...” · “The evidence shows ...” · “A second source confirms ...” · “Therefore ...”
Direct self-feedback:
- If you only wrote “true/false”, add evidence.
- If you used one source only, add another source.
- If your source has no clear author or organisation, explain that limitation.
- If you copied wording, rewrite it in your own words.
Mediation
A German-speaking classmate asks: “Worum geht es auf der englischen offiziellen Seite?”
Explain the key information in 2–3 German sentences without translating the whole page. Keep the technical term puddle iron and explain it briefly.
Error analysis
| Common mistake | Better move |
|---|---|
| “It has many likes, so it is true.” | Popularity is not evidence. |
| “The first search result confirms it.” | Check who is behind the result. |
| “Two pages say the same thing.” | Check whether one copied the other. |
| “The source is old, so it is wrong.” | Ask whether the date matters for this claim. |
| “AI says it is true.” | Verify AI output with sources and evidence. |
Safe and responsible research
Use public, relevant information only. Do not collect private social-media data. Use fictional profiles in class tasks. Recordings are voluntary and should stay private unless everyone agrees. Do not upload classmates’ work, voices or images without permission.
If you use AI, check its language level, facts and feedback. AI may support your process, but it should not replace your own text or your source check.
Datei:Wikimedia UK's Information Literacy work.webm
Transfer
Choose a harmless everyday claim about a place, object, sport rule, animal or school topic. Avoid private people and high-stakes medical claims. Apply the same four-step check.
Can-do check
| I can ... | Not yet | Almost | Yes |
|---|---|---|---|
| identify the exact claim | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| check source and date | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| find evidence | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| compare another source | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
| explain my result in clear English | ☐ | ☐ | ☐ |
Next course: Compare two online sources.
Interaktive Aufgaben
Quiz: Teste Dein Wissen
What should you identify first in a fact-check? (The exact claim) (!The number of likes) (!The profile picture) (!The font)
What does source mean in this course? (Where the information comes from) (!How long the text is) (!How many comments it has) (!Which colour the page uses)
Why do you check the date? (To decide whether the timing matters for the claim) (!To prove every old source is wrong) (!To count the words) (!To find the author’s age)
What is evidence? (Information that supports or challenges a claim) (!A confident opinion) (!A popular hashtag) (!A large profile picture)
What is lateral reading? (Checking information in other tabs and sources) (!Reading only the first paragraph) (!Reading a page from left to right) (!Ignoring the source)
What did the stronger sources say about the Eiffel Tower material? (It is made of puddle iron) (!It is made of plastic) (!It is made of aluminium) (!It is made only of glass)
Which sentence uses the passive? (The claim was checked against two sources) (!We checked the claim yesterday) (!The source gives evidence) (!I trust the website)
Which sentence reports a question correctly? (Leo asked whether the source was official) (!Leo asked is the source official) (!Leo asked the source official) (!Leo asked to official the source)
What should you do if two pages repeat the same claim? (Check whether they are independent sources) (!Count them as two proofs automatically) (!Share the claim immediately) (!Ignore both dates)
How should AI be used in this task? (As support that still needs source and fact checking) (!As a replacement for your own fact-check) (!As proof without evidence) (!As a reason to skip another source)
Memory
| Claim | statement to be checked |
| Source | origin of information |
| Evidence | support for or against a statement |
| Date | timing of a post or update |
| Verify | check whether something is correct |
| Lateral reading | opening other sources to investigate |
Drag and Drop
| Ordne die richtigen Begriffe zu. | Thema |
|---|---|
| Source | Who is behind the information? |
| Date | When was it posted or updated? |
| Evidence | What supports or challenges the claim? |
| Another source | What does an independent source say? |
| Result | What can you conclude after checking? |
Kreuzworträtsel
| source | Where does the information come from? |
| evidence | What supports or challenges a claim? |
| claim | What statement are you checking? |
| verify | What verb means to check if something is correct? |
| passive | Which voice is used in “The claim was checked”? |
| reliable | Which adjective means trustworthy for this purpose? |
LearningApps
Lückentext
Offene Aufgaben
Leicht
- Claim spotting: Mark the exact claim in three short fictional posts and explain what is not part of the claim.
- Source check: Compare two public web pages and list author or organisation, date and purpose.
- Evidence sentence: Write three sentences beginning with “The evidence shows ...”.
- Pronunciation practice: Practise claim, source, evidence and reliable with a partner; focus on being easy to understand.
Standard
- Mini fact-check: Check a harmless English claim with the four-step method and write 80–120 words.
- Speaking fact-check: Give a one-minute report and answer one follow-up question from a partner.
- Mediation task: Explain the key point of one English source in short German notes without translating the whole text.
- Grammar repair: Rewrite four fact-check sentences using the passive and reported speech where useful.
Schwer
- Source independence: Find two pages that make the same claim and investigate whether one may be copying the other.
- Conflicting evidence: Compare two reliable sources that use different wording or measurements and explain the difference without forcing a quick yes/no answer.
- Fact-check presentation: Present a checked claim with source, date, evidence, another source, limitations and conclusion.
- AI audit: Ask an approved AI tool for a harmless factual answer only if your school allows it, then independently check its sources, facts and wording; do not upload private data.
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Lernkontrolle
- Transfer claim: You see a new post about a famous building. Describe the order in which you would check it and justify each step.
- Source conflict: One official page and one anonymous post disagree. Explain what additional evidence you would seek before deciding.
- Independence test: Two websites use nearly identical wording. Explain why this may not count as two independent confirmations.
- Date relevance: Compare a 2018 source about a building material with a 2026 source about ticket prices. Explain why date matters differently.
- Language transfer: Turn a direct question and a command from a fact-check dialogue into reported speech and explain why the form changes.
- Responsible research: Design a safe classroom fact-check that avoids private data, unnecessary uploads and unverified AI output.
Lernnachweis
Für einen Lernnachweis sind wichtig:
- Du benennst die überprüfte Behauptung klar.
- Du dokumentierst source und date.
- Du verwendest passende evidence.
- Du vergleichst mindestens eine weitere, möglichst unabhängige Quelle.
- Du formulierst das Ergebnis nachvollziehbar und in eigenen Worten.
- Du nutzt Englisch überwiegend selbstständig und setzt Hilfen gezielt ein.
- Du verwendest passive und reported speech passend, nicht künstlich.
- Du beachtest Datenschutz, Freiwilligkeit bei Aufnahmen und Quellenprüfung bei KI-Nutzung.
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