Disinformation spread

This is unit 1 of a series of activities that focuses on the understanding of the phenomenon of disinformation and what we can do to fight it.

Like all 4 units, unit 3 contains a computational model plus a series of activities to implement with students. Before diving into the model, read the explanations below to understand more about the unit:

Besides all components in units 1 and 2, the unit 3 model contains:
  • A "Social media" option in the "form of spreding" chooser.
  • "Post lifespan" slider: to be used with the "social media" form of spreading, this slider simulates the amount of time that a user's post reamins online. Low values indicate little "air time"; high values, higher airtime.
  • "Discourse triggers" slider: this option represents the rhetorical strategies used in politically motivated disinformation.
Activities in unit 3:
  • Opening activities:
    • solving a puzzle together (in groups, if possible)
    • guided discussion on the feelings associated to solving the puzzle and how this connects to the way we get absorbed by calls to "uncover the truth" in politics and society.
  • Introduction to critical thinking and how it has been used by politically motivated, extermist groups.
  • Tinkering with the model and reflection
  • Closing activity: guided group discussion
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Navigate through units 1 to 4 below to learn more about the issue, factors that influence it, and strategies to be more prepared to deal with it.

1. The issue of disinformation
2. Understanding biases
3. Understanding discourse triggers
4. Fact-checking strategies