Truth Hurts: Researching the End of Deception
Inquiry Framework
Question Framework
Driving Question
The overarching question that guides the entire project.If humanity could no longer lie, which profession would vanish first, and what does this reveal about our reliance on deception in society?Essential Questions
Supporting questions that break down major concepts.- What defines a lie, and how does it differ from deception or withholding information?
- How reliant are different jobs/industries on the ability to lie or deceive?
- What are the ethical implications of lying in various professions?
- How would the sudden inability to lie impact social structures and interactions?
- What criteria can be used to evaluate which job/industry would be most immediately affected?
Standards & Learning Goals
Learning Goals
By the end of this project, students will be able to:- Students will be able to conduct research using perplexity.ai to gather credible information, facts, and statistics.
- Students will be able to formulate an argumentative thesis based on research.
- Students will be able to evaluate the ethical implications of deception within various professions.
- Students will be able to construct a well-supported argumentative research presentation.
- Students will be able to analyze the impact of truth and deception on social structures.
Entry Events
Events that will be used to introduce the project to studentsEthical Job Swap
Students are assigned a profession and must argue why their assigned job/industry would NOT be the first to die out if lying became impossible. This requires them to think creatively about the value and function of that profession in a world of absolute honesty and consider how it might adapt or evolve, promoting deeper understanding of the industry's core functions.Portfolio Activities
Portfolio Activities
These activities progressively build towards your learning goals, with each submission contributing to the student's final portfolio.Truth-Seeker's Toolkit: Perplexity.ai Training
Students will learn to effectively use Perplexity.ai for research, focusing on identifying credible sources, extracting relevant information, and properly citing their findings.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA written guide on using Perplexity.ai for research, including examples of effective search queries and source evaluation checklists.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to conduct research using perplexity.ai to gather credible information, facts, and statistics.The Honesty Index: Industry Vulnerability Ranking
Students will analyze the ethical implications of lying within various professions and rank them based on their reliance on deception.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA ranked list of professions based on their reliance on deception, with detailed justifications for each ranking based on research and ethical analysis.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to evaluate the ethical implications of deception within various professions.Argumentative Thesis Forge: Crafting Your Stance
Students will formulate a clear and argumentative thesis statement that directly addresses the project's driving question, supported by initial research findings.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA well-crafted argumentative thesis statement that clearly states the student's position on whether their assigned job/industry would be the first to vanish if lying became impossible.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to formulate an argumentative thesis based on research.Truth or Bust: Building a Research Presentation
Students will develop a well-supported argumentative research presentation, synthesizing their research, analysis, and ethical considerations into a compelling narrative.Steps
Here is some basic scaffolding to help students complete the activity.Final Product
What students will submit as the final product of the activityA comprehensive argumentative research presentation, including visual aids, a clear thesis statement, supporting evidence, and ethical considerations.Alignment
How this activity aligns with the learning objectives & standardsAddresses the learning goal: Students will be able to construct a well-supported argumentative research presentation.Rubric & Reflection
Portfolio Rubric
Grading criteria for assessing the overall project portfolioArgumentative Research Project Rubric: The Honesty Index
Research & Information Literacy
Focuses on the student's ability to gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from credible sources using Perplexity.ai and other resources.Source Credibility & Relevance
Assesses the student's ability to identify and use credible and relevant sources to support their arguments.
Exemplary
4 PointsConsistently uses highly credible and relevant sources from Perplexity.ai and other databases; demonstrates a sophisticated understanding of source evaluation techniques; adeptly synthesizes information from multiple sources.
Proficient
3 PointsUses mostly credible and relevant sources, demonstrating a good understanding of source evaluation; synthesizes information from multiple sources effectively.
Developing
2 PointsUses some credible and relevant sources, but may include questionable or less reliable sources; demonstrates a basic understanding of source evaluation; attempts to synthesize information.
Beginning
1 PointsUses few credible or relevant sources; struggles to evaluate source credibility; relies heavily on opinion or unsubstantiated claims.
Information Extraction & Application
Evaluates the student's ability to extract pertinent information, facts, and statistics to support their analysis.
Exemplary
4 PointsSkillfully extracts and applies relevant information, facts, and statistics to build a compelling and well-supported argument; demonstrates a comprehensive understanding of the data.
Proficient
3 PointsExtracts and applies relevant information, facts, and statistics effectively to support their argument; demonstrates a clear understanding of the data.
Developing
2 PointsExtracts some relevant information, facts, and statistics, but may struggle to apply them effectively to support their argument; demonstrates a basic understanding of the data.
Beginning
1 PointsExtracts limited relevant information, facts, and statistics; struggles to understand and apply the data to support their argument.
Argumentation & Analysis
Assesses the student's ability to formulate a clear thesis, construct logical arguments, and analyze the ethical implications of deception.Thesis Clarity & Argumentation
Evaluates the clarity, focus, and argumentative strength of the thesis statement.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents a compelling, clearly articulated, and nuanced thesis statement that directly addresses the driving question; arguments are exceptionally logical, insightful, and well-supported.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents a clear and focused thesis statement that addresses the driving question; arguments are logical and well-supported with evidence.
Developing
2 PointsPresents a thesis statement that is somewhat unclear or unfocused; arguments are present but may lack logical flow or sufficient evidence.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents a thesis statement that is vague or missing; arguments are weak, illogical, or unsupported.
Ethical Analysis & Consideration
Assesses the depth and complexity of the student's ethical analysis regarding deception in different professions.
Exemplary
4 PointsDemonstrates a sophisticated understanding of the ethical implications of deception in various professions; analyzes diverse ethical perspectives and considers nuanced impacts on society.
Proficient
3 PointsDemonstrates a thorough understanding of the ethical implications of deception; analyzes ethical considerations effectively and considers the impact on different professions.
Developing
2 PointsDemonstrates a basic understanding of the ethical implications of deception; identifies some ethical considerations but may lack depth or complexity in the analysis.
Beginning
1 PointsDemonstrates a limited understanding of the ethical implications of deception; struggles to identify or analyze ethical considerations.
Presentation & Communication
Focuses on the student's ability to communicate their research and analysis effectively through a well-organized and engaging presentation.Organization & Clarity
Evaluates the structure, flow, and clarity of the presentation.
Exemplary
4 PointsPresents information in a highly organized, logical, and engaging manner; transitions are seamless and enhance understanding; visual aids are exceptionally clear and effective.
Proficient
3 PointsPresents information in a well-organized and logical manner; transitions are clear and support understanding; visual aids are clear and effective.
Developing
2 PointsPresents information in a somewhat organized manner, but may lack clear transitions or logical flow; visual aids are present but may be unclear or ineffective.
Beginning
1 PointsPresents information in a disorganized or confusing manner; lacks clear transitions or logical flow; visual aids are missing or distracting.
Engagement & Delivery
Assesses the student's ability to engage the audience and deliver the presentation effectively.
Exemplary
4 PointsDelivers the presentation with exceptional confidence, enthusiasm, and clarity; maintains audience engagement throughout; demonstrates mastery of the subject matter and effectively addresses questions.
Proficient
3 PointsDelivers the presentation with confidence and clarity; maintains audience engagement effectively; demonstrates a strong understanding of the subject matter.
Developing
2 PointsDelivers the presentation with some confidence and clarity, but may struggle to maintain audience engagement; demonstrates a basic understanding of the subject matter.
Beginning
1 PointsDelivers the presentation with limited confidence or clarity; struggles to engage the audience; demonstrates a weak understanding of the subject matter.