Values4All Curriculum Activities
Misinformation and Disinformation
Information is a crucial element in our existence, where it serves as the source for growth and development. We require information to live our lives, to make connections with others and to build relationships in order to coexist. In the world we live today, we see an infinite amount of information, and this is produced by an unlimited number of sources such as websites, social media and traditional media. This brings us to reflect upon few important questions,
- Who controls information?
- Who can we trust?
- Who might be manipulating information?
These questions play a vital role in determining the existence of our political, social, economic, and environmental realities. In those situations, if provided with misinformation or disinformation it can even create havoc and ignite humanitarian crisis.
The internet has amplified and increased the ability at which misinformation and disinformation travel. Studies show that, false information spread significantly farther, faster, deeper, and more broadly than the truth in all categories of information.
We already see the severe repercussions created by misinformation and disinformation in our societies. The curriculum provides tools that are strengthened by shared values, to understand the ill effects and to counter them. It is aimed to increase information literacy skills, so that individuals can better make their own determinations about what is true and what is false. Most importantly, the curriculum aims to counter misinformation and disinformation using both individual values and societal values. The awareness it provides will enhance the ability of individuals to be mindful when information is presented to make effective decisions.
The curriculum has two main objectives;
The curriculum is only a guide that provides a pathway for facilitators to engage with participants through experiential learning activities. Therefore, the facilitator has the opportunity to adapt the methodology according to the target audience.
The curriculum also contains, under each activity, reflective questions which are designed in two levels;
The curriculum is designed targeting young adults and anyone with an interest in values education and information literacy.
Participants are guided to do an activity that would simulate an experience. This experience would provide the foundation for participants to have an open discussion in a safe space. The discussion will be facilitated with key reflective questions that would enable participants to share personal stories, opinions and ideas.
Each activity of the curriculum is designed with 3 components;
Misinformation: Unintentional mistakes with no deliberate intention to deceive.
Disinformation: Fabricated or deliberately manipulated information with an intention to harm.