In today’s hyperconnected online world, we have access to more information than ever before. However, included in this deluge of data is an increasing amount of false and misleading information, often spread intentionally to sow confusion, discord, and distrust. This has created an online “misinformation war” that poses unique challenges. There are three main types…
Posts tagged "disinformation"
Digital Wildfires: Tending to Social Media in the Classroom
“For the master’s tools will never dismantle the master’s house” – Audre Lorde (1983) Together with a great group of colleagues, we published a piece in the special issue on Bringing Critical Media Literacy into ELA Classroom from NCTE. You can review the draft we submitted to the journal here. The full publication is embedded…
Why Can’t We Agree On What’s True?
This is not as simple as distrust. Digital platforms and ubiquitous access to these spaces have ushered in a new public mindset that ends in a refusal to accept any mainstream or official account of the world. This also includes being instinctively suspicious of anyone claiming to describe reality in a fair and objective fashion.…
Breaking Down the Misinformation & Disinformation Ecosystem
I’ve written quite a bit about misinformation and disinformation in online, social spaces. Misinformation is “false information that is spread, regardless of whether there is intent to mislead. Misinformation is often considered to be unintentional sharing. When people spread misinformation, they often believe the information they are sharing. Disinformation is “deliberately misleading or biased information;…
Combating Misinformation & Disinformation
We’ve been hearing a great deal about misinformation and disinformation in online, social spaces. These two topics differ on intent. That makes it much harder to differentiate. You need to know/understand what the purpose or sincerity of the sender. You also need to consider if you’re willing to question what they’re communicating…or if you’ll blindly…
Truth, lies, & learning in an online disinformation war
According to existing laws of war and international human rights accords, children and schools (i.e., learning environments) are supposed to be protected when in warzones. In 1949, The Geneva Convention established rules that occupying powers must “facilitate the proper working of [educational facilities]” and even provide education for children who are displaced because of war.…
Critically evaluating online information while under attack
A 21st century educational system must educate all students in the effective and authentic use of the technologies that permeate society to prepare them for the future. In the past, our educational system emphasized the use of traditional tools such as textbooks, chalkboards, overhead projectors, ring binders, and composition books. Now however, our culture has…
The most valuable thing on the Internet is your attention
We often hear the tired trope that “if you’re not paying for something, you’re the product.” This most often applies to the digital spaces and tools that we use on a regular basis, and never pay for. The truth of this is that in many ways we are paying a great deal. We’re paying for…