Disinformation, Misinformation, and Fake News Teach-Out

At a time when information can be instantaneously and globally communicated, the threat of consuming misleading or false information looms large. Unverified digital information can sway public beliefs about politics, health, science, and current events, and can influence how people perceive differing opinions, experiences, and cultures. Global citizens have to navigate an increasing reliance on social media for critical facts, huge amounts of “fake news” online, and the consequences of disinformation and misinformation in daily digital life. In this Teach-Out, you will learn how to navigate this digital information landscape, identify fake news, and gain critical skills in media and information literacy.

In this Teach-Out, you will:
Understand the history of terms and concepts like “disinformation,” “misinformation” and “fake news”
Identify different types of disinformation and how it's transmitted and received
Evaluate your own habits of media consumption and reactions when presented with novel information
Develop strategies to combat disinformation in your own life