3h/v - Project 1

• Engels
• Middelbare school
• havo, vwo
• Leerjaar 3

WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO?

In this 3-lesson project, you are going to learn how to distinguish fact from fiction, by looking at some examples of real and fake news. In the end, you are going to create a front page of a newspaper, containing only real news. You are going to explain why you think the news you put on your front page, is real and not fake.  

HOW ARE WE GOING TO DO IT? 

Lesson 1

The first lesson is an introductory lesson in which you will be offered some pointers as to what to look out for when looking up news on the internet: how do you know an article that you are reading isn’t fake?

Lesson 2

In the second lesson you will create groups (your teacher will decide on how big the groups will be) and you will start the orientation phase of the final product. You will start writing your own texts that will be used on your front page.

Lesson 3

In this final lesson, you will finalize your front page of the newspaper.

Class activity 1

You are going to watch a short video on how fake news spreads. After having watched the video, answer the following questions. 

ed.ted.com

1. What makes circular reporting ‘circular’?

1. It is round and symmetrical
2. It has neither a beginning nor an end
3. Sources become validated by themselves in a logical loop
4. It is uniformly consistent in its reporting

2. Which of the following has NOT directly contributed to an increase of circular reporting?

1. The speed of the news cycle
2. The ability for anyone to write, edit and publish on the Internet
3. Increased accessibility to the internet.
4. Human curiosity

3. Why might the anti-vaccer movement be considered a product of circular reporting?

1. It is based on misinformation
2. The body of literature and information supporting the theory can all be traced to one, initial, discredited source
3. As a movement, it has enough momentum to be considered a serious problem
4. Because the media has reported on the anti-vaccine movement.

4. Before the 20th century, because it took longer to publish writing, it was more accurate.

1. True
2. False

5. Which of the following is NOT an example of circular reporting?

1. When one incorrect source informs multiple sources, which are then cited as multiple verifications of the incorrect information.
2. When a website is edited to include false information without verification, someone writes an article based on the un-cited fact, and then someone uses that article to verify the false information on the original website. 
3. When an incorrect source directly informs another source, and the two sources are considered to have independently verified the same information.
4. When a source intentionally provides false information to a writer.

Questions 6-7-8

Think about these questions before we discuss them in class:

6. What are some ways you can avoid falling for false information, and avoid contributing to the cycle of circular reporting? 

7. What makes circularly reported facts so difficult to correct? 

8. Circular reporting isn’t limited to large-scale media and news. How does circular reporting apply to rumors and gossip? 

Class activity 2

You are going to watch another short video. This time it is about how to distinguish fact from fiction/opinion. After having watched the video, answer the questions.

ed.ted.com

3. What is the name of the people who used to determine what was fit to print or play?

1. Peacekeepers
2. Watchdogs
3. Gatekeepers
4. Producers

4. Which isn’t a word that shows the outlet isn’t completely sure about a particular statement?

1. Likely
2. Certainly
3. Expected
4. Possibly

5. When are the best times to check in on ongoing breaking news?

1. Every five minutes
2. As quickly as your browser can refresh
3. The first five minutes, then in wider gaps to allow more details to develop
4. Don’t check in at all

6. How reliable are anonymous sources?

1. You never know
2. Very reliable
3. Not reliable at all
4. Depends on the story

7. How can you verify a story before you share it on social media?

1. There’s no way to verify – just share the story anyway
2. See how many times other people online have shared the story
3. Check to see if your friends are saying the same thing
4. Do a search to see if multiple outlets you trust are also covering the same story

Questions 1-2

Think about these questions before we discuss them in class:

1. So-called ‘citizen journalism’ has exploded as smartphones, glasses-based cameras, and other tools make it easier for average people to report breaking news. What are some of the positives and negatives with citizen journalism? 

2. There are billions of outlets, but most people only rely on a few for their information. Which places do you go first when you want more information on breaking news? Which outlets do you trust the least? 

Class activity 3

Do class activity 3 in your workbook.

Homework: 

Determine whether this article is fake or not: Click here