Stossel in the classroom answers

Health Ed/Fitness Dynamics

(Example Below)

Your project consists of 9 “mini” projects as assigned below in which you watch different

videos and visit different web sites. On the same word document you are to type all 9

“mini” projects. Each “mini” project consists of one full paragraph. In each paragraph

you are to explain everything you viewed and comment about the content. Use proper

respectful language and try and avoid slang. Make it interesting for me to read. Use your

spell and grammar check-please! Do not start and complete it all the night before. Watch

or listen to the entire assignment!

Do your own work! You can send this assignment in a few weeks early but not late.

(Do not send it in a month early) Get started early. Paragraphs should be font size 12

single space. Skip a line between paragraphs. USE THE FORMAT GIVEN IN THE

EXAMPLE BELOW! Each paragraph is worth 10 points.

Paragraph 1: Go to www.skeptoid.com and select the drop down menu “Books & Videos”

and then select “Here Be Dragons Video & DVD”. The 41 minute video appears so

select play, watch and take notes. Make sure you note all the “red flags” and cite your

own examples to be aware of when using critical thinking (red herring, confirmation bias,

anyone?).

Paragraph 2: Go to www.bodyworlds.com and select the first rectangle box on the left

that says prelude. Watch the video regarding donating your body and check out the

pictures below. Peruse the rest of the sight. What did you see and what do you think?

Paragraph 3: Go to www.infactvideo.com by Brian Dunning and select episodes at the

top. Find an episode that relates directly to health such as “Vaccine Ingredients” (Season

1 episode 13) Tell me about many of the points made in the video and give me your

logical opinion. (Feeling statements are interesting but like testimonials is no proof at all)

Paragraph 4: Go to www.stosselintheclassroom.org with John Stossel and select

“Streaming Video” at the top. Browse down on the right and select “Health” under the

browse by category. Watch any of the videos such as “Foam More Energy Efficient than

Paper” and answer discussion questions below the video for your paragraph.

Paragraph 5: Select videos on our blackboard class web site and select the video “Junk

Science-Stossel”. Note how this older show is still relevant today and site a current

example. Especially comment from the video regarding salt, spinach, smoking, nuclear

fusion and vitamin C guru Linus Pauling!

Paragraph 6: Go back to www.skeptoid.com and on the top left side select the tab

“About Skeptoid” and then select “episode guide”. Choose one that you think relates to

health. You can listen and or read the episodes. The 99 cents is only a request if you

want to donate which I suggest you do not donate. Write a full paragraph regarding the

http://www.skeptoid.com/
http://www.bodyworlds.com/
http://www.infactvideo.com/
http://www.stosselintheclassroom.org/
http://www.skeptoid.com/
episode. Tell me about the episode and your thoughts. Make me believe you listened to

or read the entire episode (I have). No copy and pasting ever!

Paragraph 7: Go to www.quackwatch.com. This excellent web site by Dr. Barrett

exposes many of the hucksters and cites all sources. (Skeptoid above is more of a teaser)

Scroll down the page and on the left look at the black type headings. After “About

Quackwatch” and “About Dr. Barrett” and “Publications for Sale” and “General

Observations” select a “Questionable Products, Services, and Theories” topic. They are

in blue type. (Examples “Algae Products: False claims and Hype” or “Reiki.” Write a

full paragraph on one of these in the usual format and investigate one of the sources he

cited.

Paragraph 8: Go to either of these reputable health websites www.webmd.com or

www.healthcentral.com and I suggest looking up a medical procedure or condition and

report. Report on what you found and why. Do you think the information is reputable

and helpful? Again write a full paragraph in the usual format. Please note just because

an advertisement is on a reputable web site does not mean that web site endorses it!

Paragraph 9: Have you ever heard of a health story or any other rumor on the internet?

Many are false. Go to www.snopes.com to find out the truth. Pick one that is somewhat

plausible-there are thousands! Choose one that relates to health. Everybody should

have “snopes” bookmarked on their computer! Confront the “know-it all” and the

“goody-two-shoes” who send out this garbage! Note: anybody reporting on the urban

legend that “Mickey” did not die from eating “pop rocks and soda” will be whipped with

a wet noodle. Try and choose one that you or someone you knew thought was true. Yes,

“Snopes” has its bias as we all do but overall this is a great source.

FOLLOW THE FORMAT BELOW:

Example of Assignment that you will turn in to Safe/Assign:

Make sure the document is in the correct format. Spell and grammar check is a must.

Skip a line between paragraphs. The name of the video should be clearly stated and the

date you watched it should be put in parenthesis!

Fred Fibernugget

Online Class #

Spring 2015

Title (interesting title is a must)

http://www.quackwatch.com/
http://www.webmd.com/
http://www.healthcentral.com/
http://www.snopes.com/
1. Video “Here Be Dragons” by Brian Dunning (3/1/14) when I first watched this older video I was expecting to see dragons. Silly me as this was obviously a

metaphor. There are so many things that advertisers try and sell that are not true.

I have fallen for more than a few. Mr. Dunning then explains how we can be

duped. The one I especially have to keep my guard up is “confirmation bias”

which is . . .

2. Video “Body Worlds: The Plastination Process” (3/5/14) Incredible! I had to find more so I went to the web site. It is showing in Las Vegas in the next few

months and I am going to go. This video showed the process of Plastination

which is not only educational but is art . . .

3. Video “InFact: Nuclear Energy” by Brian Dunning (3/6/14) when I was in my junior year of high school I had a very good instructor who pretty much

convinced the entire class that nuclear power is the evil of all evils. I held that

belief throughout my college years. I think the video dispels many of those fears.

After the Japan Tsunami the media portrayed the nuclear power plant destruction

as Armageddon . . .

4. Video Stossel in the Classroom “Foam More Energy Efficient than Paper” (3/8/14) Before I answer the questions I would like to say that I enjoy my cup of coffee in

the old Styrofoam cups rather than the paper so I sure have my bias. With that

said . . .

5. Video “Junk Science” (3/9/14) this golden oldie is still relevant today. A current example I believe is the latest fad with the gluten free diet . . .

6. Internet www.skeptoid.com “Student Questions: Energy Shots and Sunscreen” (skeptoid #268)” (3/22/14) the mail sure is lively for Mr. Dunning! I had to laugh

at all the students who take their “energy shots” before . . .

7. Internet www.quackwatch.com “Ear Candling” (4/1/14) I just had a friend explain to me how this detoxified them and their headache went away. Unbelievable . . .

8. Internet www.healthcentral.com “Vasectomy” (4/10/14) my husband is considering getting a vasectomy. This web site explained much more than the

brief explanation given in class. There is even a video giving a demonstration of

the procedure. I thought . . .

9. Internet www.snopes.com “Benzene Warning” (4/15/14) I had no idea what to select so I went to the “Hot 25” selection at the top of the page and selected #9.

Here we go again another cancer scare! The scare goes like this . . .

http://www.skeptoid.com/
http://www.quackwatch.com/
http://www.healthcentral.com/
http://www.snopes.com/