*ALERT* FAKE NEWS *ALERT*

June 10, 2021 2 By elb776

In a world where fake news and information is everywhere, it becomes more important than ever to teach students about digital literacy. What is digital literacy you ask, Western City University describes it as, “Understanding how to use web browsers, search engines, email, text, wiki, blogs, Photoshop, Powerpoint, video creation/editing software, etc. to showcase learning. Evaluating online resources for accuracy/trustworthiness of information”. In today’s world, it is much harder to distinguish between what is real and fake news, click here to read an article all about it. It is so much harder because the technology in this era has advanced so much, everyone has access to the internet and has the ability to change information, this is called media manipulation. Another reason for false information being everywhere is from ‘trolls’, or ‘bots’. To learn more about trolling and media manipulation, check out pages 1-22 in this link. As the NTCE states, students need to learn about the harms of fake news and how it can affect students in multiple ways (ie. grades, health, false beliefs etc). This is why its so important that we teach our students how to identify whats real and fake on the internet. 

“Fair and Fake News” by HerryLawford is licensed under CC BY 2.0

As a future elementary teacher I plan on teaching digital literacy in respect to the Saskatchewan Curriculum. For grade 1, I would implement digital literacy into USC1.1 . This outcome is about making examining healthy behaviours and what these behaviour may do to affect a persons well-being. I would add in the idea of digital literacy by making sure my students understand that fake news and trolling is not a healthy behaviour and the affects that are associated with trolls and fake news on the internet. There are many ways that I would go about teaching my students about fake news. First thing being this video , what kids don’t love to watch videos!? I would also use these fun games as a way for younger students to identify fake news as well as still being engaged. Check them out: https://this.deakin.edu.au/society/quiz-can-you-spot-the-fake-news-headline

https://spotthetroll.org

https://mediasmarts.ca/quiz/break-fake-news

There are many ways to teach students about the harms of fake news and how to spot it. For example, bringing in fake news and teaching it, showing students what trolls look like on the internet, using information verification checkers, using games as listed above, etc. It is SO important that we teach our students to understand media manipulation, trolls, fake news, bots, catfishes, etc. as a way to protect them from the harms of the internet world! 

“Aspects of Digital Literacy” by mikecogh is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0