- The grades I would like to teach are anywhere from grades 1 to 5. It might be hard to teach the younger grades about being safe when using technology but in today’s world the age of children using the internet is getting younger. It is important to educate and teach them the dangers of the internet like fake news and cyberbullying. I believe by teaching students the basics like what bullying is and how bad it can be, this can lead to cyberbullying. By learning how to protect their privacy, recognize misinformation, and practice healthy tech habits, students can navigate the online world responsibly. This education empowers them to make informed decisions, avoid potential dangers, and maintain their mental and emotional health in a digital age. I think it’s also a good idea to have posters highlighting the dangers of fake news or even just the internet.
- There is a poster example of this site
What is fake news?
- Fake news is false or misleading information.It can come in many forms, such as fabricated stories, manipulated images, or misleading headlines, often designed to promote a particular agenda, generate clicks, or provoke strong emotions. Fake news is typically spread through social media, websites, and sometimes traditional media outlets.
- It’s also important to teach students about why they may fall for fake news and this site can tell you all about it. Some of the reasons include lower attention spans and how fake news stories can appeal to our emotions
What might it look like to teach about digital literacy in your subject area/grade range?
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- In grade 4, in the health unit there are some indicators and outcomes about cyber safety. Instead of scaring students, I think educating them about the internet is much more effective. Warning them about the dangers of social media and the internet can be made to be fun but serious. In the Lesson Plan: Fighting Fake News By Rachel Roberson there is a writing prompt “What are potential consequences when fake news goes viral? Do you think you could spot fake news or would you be fooled? Why or why not?” which is a great way to make students think about fake news.
Educating over scare-tactics is 100% the way to go. Children access technology younger and younger. It’s our job to keep up and teach them the dangers!
I like your breakdown of digital literacy, fake news, and plans for your future classroom! I also like your idea of using posters to reinforce these lessons in a way that is visual and accessible for younger learners. I know you mentioned you’d like to teach grades 1-5, but I did find this online resource for teaching grades 6-8 about fake news, maybe you could get some ideas and adapt for your grade range! https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/collection/newsandmedialiteracy/t/fake-news/