Digital literacy requires a lot more skills nowadays to be considered truly digitally literate. Identifying fake news and navigating the added dangers of it is becoming more and more difficult with technology. It's critical to students safety that they are taught how to identify fake news. I think, to begin teaching this to students, choosing and knowing how news is presented to us online is important. Fake news, and the news and posts that are shown to us online is for a reason, and we consciously decide what news to choose, as this TedEd video suggests. As we discussed in class, our 'likes' and 'reactions' to Facebook content, just as one example, tailors the future content we see. Using language skills and analyzing sources fits in with the English Language Arts curriculum, especially grade 7, as an example. Of course, this should be introduced much earlier, but grade 7 ELA is within my wheelhouse. The possibilities of ELA curriculum connections include: CR7.2, CR7.3, CR7.4, CR7.5, CR7.7. Using strategies to confirm and investigate meaning of various types of text summarizes these outcomes very simply, which is the intent of ELA, and developing digital literacy. This opens new opportunities as the NCTE Framework states,
To introduce digital literacy skills , I would use a comic as a hook for students. For example, this comic would be a good example to start with for older students. To continue to keep students engaged, I would utilize this website. Using this, students can use their experiences with social media to the test to analyze fake social media profiles. Once students have background on identifying news that is false, I would use this website to spot fake headlines as a large or small group discussion. Additionally, this interactive chart can allow students to search independently for media bias. Often, I find that important topics such as this one is taught as a "one off" lesson or unit, and then it's put on the back burner. This is a resource that could be used weekly either individually, in small groups or as a whole class to reiterate the important of digital literacy. All of these tools fit in with the outcomes linked above as they vary as text and media. Once these skills are introduced, students can practice it in every subject using all types of texts;
The importance of digital literacy is apparent in today's world.
2 Comments
iram usmani
24/11/2020 12:28:48 am
That was a very comprehensive reply Erin. I was wondering that will you keep it as an ongoing lesson or will use it as a one time taught topic?
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Erin Zinger
26/11/2020 08:31:15 pm
I think that I would do a mix of both - longer lessons and relevant reminders here and there.
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