Fact-Checking & Media Literacy Skills
Posted inVideo
Memes, the New Political Cartoon, Are Transforming Social Commentary
Political memes are being deployed to share opinions, similar to how editorial cartoons were used in the past – but with one important difference.
Posted inVideo
Vaccine Skepticism Is Reviving Preventable Diseases
Skepticism and fear surrounding vaccines were fed by a flawed study done in 1998 linking the MMR vaccine to autism. The study was quickly discredited, we’re still dealing with the repercussions.
Posted inCivics and Government
Lesson Plan: The Rise of Political Memes
Students will learn about political cartoons and how today’s version — memes — are being used across social media.
Posted inCivics and Government
Lesson Plan: Civics Skills: Sleuthing Socials (Fact-Checking Social Media)
The convenience and speed of social media has led to an increase in news consumption on platforms like Facebook, TikTok and X. This comes with increasing concerns about the accuracy of claims made on social media and how they influence public opinion. A Penn State study showed that the youngest generation has switched most of their attention to digital platforms that are more visually based, with 15 percent of 18- to 24-year-olds using TikTok for news. Students will learn about effective research habits that can assist in fact-checking posts on social media to ensure information is accurate prior to sharing or allowing that information to inform opinions.
Posted inCollection
Use the Internet to Check the Internet: Media Literacy Collection
False headlines. Exaggerated claims. Fishy-looking photos. If you’re not careful, the internet can serve up a tangle of misinformation. Watch these short videos and learn to sort fact from fiction, sidestep online scams and stop the spread of misinformation. Where’s That Photo From? Identify the Source Each year, unsuspecting victims lose millions of dollars to […]
