Lesson 5: Hoaxes & Fakes

Essential Question:

• How can you avoid being fooled by fake videos and other information online?

Learning Objectives:

• Define "misinformation" and explore the consequences of spreading misinformation online
• Learn how to use lateral reading as a strategy to verify the accuracy of information online.
• Apply lateral reading to examples of questionable videos to determine their accuracy.

Review Vocabulary:

corroboration -additional source(s) that confirm or support the claims of a news story, article or piece of information

lateral reading - a method of determining credibility of online information in which you open multiple tabs to search for other information to validate the site’s claims

misinformation - false or inaccurate information, especially that which is intended to deceive

Watch:

Reflect on video:

Wow, that is amazing, right? How does this story make you feel?

Watch:

Reflect on video:

How do you feel now knowing the Pig Rescues Baby Goat video is fake?

As you can see, the comedian Nathan Fielder shows how easy it is to make a fake video that could potentially go viral. This video is an example of misinformation, which is false or inaccurate information, especially that which is intended to deceive. This video is just meant to be funny and to make people laugh; however, what if it was something more serious, like a fake news story or false information about an important event, like a natural disaster? What ramifications might that have?

Online misinformation can have big consequences. It can:

• Increase tension and anger between groups of people
• Damage individuals' or groups' reputations
• Affect the outcomes of elections and ballot propositions

Reflection questions for Video:

There's so much information out there, and we're consuming it so fast. It's easy to get duped. A strategy that will help you tell misinformation from credible information, whether it's fake videos or other questionable information you encounter is lateral reading.

Listen for the answers to these questions while watching John Green's "Crash Course: Check Yourself with Lateral Reading."

1. What does Green mean when he says “information does not just appear” on the Internet?
2. Why is reading a website vertically not a great way to determine reliable information?
3. What is lateral reading, and why is it more effective than vertical reading to determine reliable information?
4. Where should you go when you read laterally?

Watch:

Review:

The creator and intention of the "Pig Rescues Baby Goat" viral video is an example of:

o Credibility

X Misinformation

o Corroboration

o Lateral reading