WASHINGTON, D.C., April 23, 2024 — The News Literacy Project’s Checkology® virtual classroom has won a prestigious Webby People’s Voice Award, the International Academy of Digital Arts and Sciences announced Tuesday.
The Academy’s 28th annual awards honor the best of the internet, recognizing artists, media companies and other creatives at the leading edge of tech and culture. Checkology won in the category of Websites and Mobile Sites – Responsible Information, which recognizes “web products, platforms, softwares or technologies including gaming that are effectively working to combat disinformation, misinformation, and false or misleading information online.”
Checkology is a free digital learning platform from the News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan nonprofit that provides free training and resources to teach people how to identify credible sources and separate fact from fiction. The platform features 19 foundational news literacy lessons on topics including misinformation, conspiratorial thinking and news media bias. Respected journalists and leading experts guide the interactive lessons, which include real-life examples drawn from the internet, including social media platforms such as TikTok.
Primarily intended for middle and high school, Checkology was used by more than 100,000 students last school year. Independent evaluations show students who completed Checkology lessons learned vital skills, including how to identify when social media posts fail to provide credible evidence. Launched in 2016, Checkology is just one of the many free resources offered by the News Literacy Project and used by educators in all 50 states.
Checkology was selected as an honoree from among 13,000 entries across the world. The People’s Voice Award is decided by a popular online vote. There were 2.2 million votes cast by more than 550,000 people this year, according to the Academy.
Winners will be honored at a gala hosted by comedian Amber Ruffin on Monday, May 13, in New York City. The celebration is famous for its five-word acceptance speeches.
“The future of our shared civic life depends on young people learning the skills necessary to find credible information online,” said News Literacy Project President and CEO Charles Salter. “Checkology is the most comprehensive resource on the internet to do just that. We are honored by this recognition and remain committed to our mission of building a future founded on facts.”
About the News Literacy Project
The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan education nonprofit, is building a national movement to advance the practice of news literacy throughout American society, creating better informed, more engaged and more empowered individuals — and ultimately a stronger democracy.
