For many people in this “post-truth” era, facts often take second place to their emotional response and the beliefs they already hold. Exploring Fake News guides students to build the knowledge and skills they need to question this environment and respond to it constructively. Through information and activities, they explore the differences between real news and fake news, and try out strategies to assess the accuracy of material both online and in the traditional media.
An in-depth look at the COVID-19 pandemic vividly illustrates how relevant the dangers of misinformation are to students’ own lives: here they find out the facts and have opportunities to practise debunking the myths around the virus and vaccines. In addressing conspiracy theories, the resource shows clearly why those theories are false while also encouraging students to be empathetic and sensitive in their response to those who truly believe in them.
The goal of strengthening essential skills in the English curriculum underlies all of the work students complete. Yet this thoughtful and thought-provoking book does not stop there, with its vision of developing insightful and empowered citizens for the 21st century.
Features – This book:
- Deepens students’ understanding of three related issues with a far-reaching impact today – fake news, misinformation and conspiracy theories
- Offers guidance on how to recognise these phenomena and on positive strategies to promote truthfulness and accuracy
- Concurrently develops students’ skills in research, reading, writing, listening, speaking and presentation
- Contains versatile activities that individuals, pairs, small groups or the whole class can work on, to suit the level of your students.
About the Author:
Dale Sutherland has been a media studies and English teacher. She has a background in film and media, along with a passion for contemporary issues facing young people today. Now living in New Zealand’s Far North, she researches and writes full time.
