Active learning ideas
Knowing where to turn for help is a key part of the 'Resilient' indicator. In the digital age, students are often bombarded with health information, not all of it reliable. This topic focuses on identifying trustworthy online support services in Ireland, such as Childline, Jigsaw, and SpunOut.ie, and learning how to evaluate the credibility of health websites.
Activity 01
Groups are given three different websites offering health advice. They must use a 'Trust Checklist' (checking for authors, dates, and .ie or .org domains) to rank them from most to least reliable.
What makes a website a reliable source of health information?
Activity 02
Stations around the room feature different Irish support organizations (e.g., Pieta, BelongTo). Students move around to find which service is best for specific scenarios, like 'feeling lonely' or 'questioning identity.'
Which Irish organisations provide support for teenagers?
Activity 03
Students practice what to say when they first reach out to a support service, whether it's a text to a helpline or an email to a counselor. This lowers the barrier to seeking help in real life.
How can I report harmful content online?
A few notes on teaching this unit
Watch Out for These Misconceptions
Helplines are only for 'extreme' emergencies.
Students often wait until they are in crisis to seek help. Through the 'Support Map' activity, they learn that services like SpunOut.ie are there for everyday worries and information, not just emergencies.
If it's on a professional-looking website, the health advice must be right.
Many students are fooled by good web design. The 'Website Vetting' task teaches them to look for medical credentials and evidence-based information rather than just a 'clean' look.
Methods used in this brief
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