Homework #1  Science and Pseudoscience (Fake Science)

Dr. Doug Duncan   

Go to the www or to YouTube, or both.  Find two science websites or videos on scientific subjects, one that you think is really good, and one that you think is bogus (false; biased, inaccurate.  Fake science is often called "Pseudoscience"). Post the links (web addresses) on the class Canvas website.

For the "bogus" site, I'll be most impressed if you find something that looks credible, but is actually not true!

Do this on our class Canvas website:

  1. In canvas.colorado.edu , choose "Discussion," then "Favorite Pseudoscience Website." Enter your favorite bad website or YouTube video.  Write a brief description of why your classmates should look at it.  Look at the sites other people have entered and VOTE FOR YOUR FAVORITE BAD (PSEUDOSCIENCE) ENTRY.  The entries with the highest rating will earn their owners an edible prize in class next week.

Now comes the most important part of the exercise. Be ready to explain how you decide whether something you read or see on the web is true or false. How did you decide that your bogus site was not telling the truth?  Do you apply the same criteria to something you see on TV or read in a newspaper?  Please be thoughtful about your answer.

We will make up a list of common characteristics of good, believable sources, and another one of sources that are trying to fool you.  We will post and use that as a class, and you are encouraged to use it for real, in your life, to avoid getting fooled! - DD