Citizenship education and tackling disinformation in schools

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Resources for schools on disinformation
How to spot and fight disinformation - a toolkit for teachers

Teaching materials on the 2024 European elections
The European institutions have produced some materials about the elections, for use by teachers, students and parents.
Video: Democracy is what makes us (also available in FR, DE, NL, IT, LT, LV, PT, FI, and SV)
Educational toolkit for teachers about the 2024 European elections
Information for first-time voters
Video: How do MEPs represent me?

Resources for schools on disinformation
How to spot and fight disinformation - a toolkit for teachers

Citizenship education resources
Schools can offer children early democratic experiences, both taught and practical. However, January’s experts, Janis Fifka and Anya Suprunenko from the European Youth Parliament, say that educational institutions often mirror a non-participatory system that inadvertently reinforces passiveness rather than encouraging active engagement. January’s practice article showed how different projects are trying to activate youth participation ahead of the June elections.
A ballot box does not make a house of democracy
Understanding your voice: youth participation in an election year

Our January news articles explored how schools involve children in decision-making in different ways, to ensure that they adopt a democratic mindset, grow into active citizens, and gradually develop a sense of responsibility towards society as a whole.
Acting democratically: Children’s rights and participation in decision-making in schools
Empowering global citizens: integrating social responsibility into school education

We also looked at a European Commission issue paper which highlights the main the policy-level challenges in the teaching and content of citizenship education across Europe.
Spotlight on citizenship education policy and practice

Our final articles discussed the importance of digital citizenship skills and teaching critical thinking skills from an early age. Our tutorial goes further into the topic by looking at how these skills contribute to media literacy – essential in this European election year.
Raising the responsible digital citizens of tomorrow
Critical thinking: A life skill in the internet era
The importance of media literacy in democracy’s big year
Guidelines for teachers: Tackling disinformation and promoting digital literacy

You can learn more about citizenship education by rewatching our webinar on global citizenship education, or by following our recent short self-paced learning course on digital citizenship education.

Exploring global citizenship in the curriculum
Digital citizenship education and democratic participation

Citizenship education plays a crucial role in equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed to engage responsibly in society. Tackling disinformation within this framework is essential for fostering critical thinking and media literacy among students. By integrating lessons on identifying reliable sources, evaluating information credibility, and understanding the consequences of spreading false information, schools can empower students to navigate the complexities of the digital age. Moreover, fostering open discussions and encouraging skepticism in the face of misinformation cultivates a culture of informed citizenship, essential for maintaining the integrity of democratic societies.

In today's digital landscape, citizenship education must address the pervasive issue of disinformation. Schools play a pivotal role in equipping students with the critical thinking skills necessary to discern fact from fiction in an increasingly complex media environment. By integrating lessons on media literacy, information verification, and the ethical responsibilities of online citizenship, educators can empower students to navigate the digital world with confidence and discernment. Tackling disinformation in schools not only safeguards the integrity of information but also cultivates a generation of informed and responsible citizens equipped to actively participate in democratic discourse.

Citizenship education in schools serves as a cornerstone for nurturing informed and responsible citizens. Addressing the challenge of disinformation within this framework requires a multi-faceted approach. Firstly, curricula should incorporate lessons on media literacy and critical thinking, teaching students how to evaluate sources and identify misinformation. Secondly, schools can facilitate discussions on the ethical implications of sharing unverified information and the importance of responsible online behavior. Additionally, partnerships with media organizations and fact-checking initiatives can provide students with practical tools for navigating the digital landscape. By empowering students to become discerning consumers and creators of information, schools play a vital role in countering the spread of disinformation and promoting a more informed society.

One practical solution within classrooms involves interactive exercises that simulate real-world scenarios involving disinformation. For instance, educators can design activities where students are presented with news articles or social media posts and are tasked with fact-checking them using reputable sources. This hands-on approach not only enhances students' critical thinking skills but also familiarizes them with the process of verifying information. Additionally, incorporating role-playing activities where students take on the roles of journalists, fact-checkers, and consumers can deepen their understanding of the complexities of information dissemination. By engaging students in active learning experiences, schools can instill a sense of responsibility and agency in combating disinformation, empowering them to be proactive contributors to a more informed society.

I woud recommend "Rethinking schooling for 21 century" (2017 UNESCO in alliance with MGIEP). There is a content analysis of hundreds of policy documents of 4 world regions are made in order to illuminate the prevalence of modern concepts, one of which was Global citizenship. Their key findings are: instrumental role of education, instrumental function of schooling, role of foreign language is underestimated, elitist approach to education and endemic credentialism...
In this sense E-Forum is a platform that unites world experts and practioners to share with working methods in reimagining together the fundamental priorities of education system for peace.
Besides , PISA constantly reminding stakeholders around the world that schooling is needed to build cognitive, communicative and social-emotional skills, let globally competent, globally minded students REASON, COMMUNICATE, TAKE PERSPECTIVES and care about the future.

By the way, has anyone ever heard south african concept UBUNTU standing for collective identity?

This table provides a concise overview of the various aspects of citizenship education and their importance in equipping students with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage responsibly in society.

It's exact

Sure, here's a summarized version of the information in a table format( see table)
These aspects collectively contribute to nurturing informed and responsible citizens.

Certainly! Here's a summarized version of the solution in a table format (see table).

This table presents a structured overview of how interactive exercises within classrooms can simulate real-world scenarios involving disinformation, fostering critical thinking and media literacy skills among students.

Dear colleague Meriam
it's very interesting

Thank you
Chokri

Dear colleagues, I am reading your posts with great interest, thank you for sharing!

I leave this reminder there - if you take the information fro your posts from a website or other source, please be sure to include a link to that source in accordance with the forum rules and guidelines
https://elibrary-forum.sdpsg.101.com/topic/17/forum-rules-and-guidelines

Dear @all, in the future, I also recommend trying to present information and ideas in one long post rather than splitting your ideas into multiple smaller posts.

If it's not possible to upload multiple pictures in one post, you could try attaching a PDF or other document with this information instead.

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@Bousl2336873cb4

Hi,

Hope everything is going well. Thank you for sharing these invaluable resources on spotting and fighting disinformation. As educators, it's crucial for us to equip our students with the tools they need to navigate the complex media landscape and become informed, active citizens. As a SPED Teacher I feel this is a very hard challenge. Their cognitive level sometimes presents an obstacle to discriminate. The toolkit for teachers on how to spot and fight disinformation is particularly timely and essential.

The emphasis on digital citizenship skills and critical thinking is also crucial. Both are my central emphasis with my students. In today's digital age, media literacy is not just an added skill but a fundamental part of being an informed citizen. The guidelines for tackling disinformation and promoting digital literacy will be an excellent resource for teachers.

Thank you again for these resources. They are a great step towards preparing our students to be responsible, informed, and active participants in their communities and beyond.

Best,
Mr. Bryan

Nice descxription
Thank you for your participation

In today's digital landscape, citizenship education must prioritize addressing the pervasive issue of disinformation. With the ease of sharing and consuming information online, individuals face a constant barrage of misleading or false content, making it crucial to equip them with the critical thinking skills necessary to discern fact from fiction. Effective citizenship education should focus on media literacy, teaching individuals how to evaluate sources, fact-check information, and understand the motives behind the dissemination of false narratives. By empowering citizens with the tools to navigate the digital realm responsibly, we can cultivate a more informed and resilient society capable of combating the spread of disinformation.

@Bousl2336873cb4
In the contemporary digital landscape, citizenship education must confront the pervasive challenge of disinformation head-on. With the rapid proliferation of online platforms and the ease of content creation and dissemination, misinformation and propaganda can spread like wildfire, undermining democratic processes and social cohesion. To counter this threat, citizenship education must emphasize critical thinking, digital literacy, and media literacy skills. Individuals need to learn how to assess the credibility of sources, distinguish between fact and opinion, and recognize the techniques used to manipulate information. Moreover, fostering an understanding of the broader societal implications of disinformation, including its potential to exacerbate polarization and erode trust in institutions, is essential. By empowering citizens with the knowledge and skills to navigate the digital world responsibly, citizenship education can play a vital role in building a more resilient and informed society.

@AHLEM18c600e513
In addressing the pervasive issue of disinformation within the digital landscape, citizenship education must evolve to emphasize the cultivation of critical digital literacy skills. This involves not only teaching individuals how to discern reliable sources from misinformation but also fostering a deeper understanding of the underlying mechanisms driving the spread of false information online. Citizenship education can incorporate lessons on cognitive biases, echo chambers, and the algorithms shaping our online experiences. By equipping individuals with the ability to navigate the complexities of the digital realm, citizenship education empowers them to be proactive, discerning participants in the online discourse, thereby mitigating the harmful effects of disinformation on society.

@OUSSAfd6aa665af

I agree,

Citizenship education in schools is crucial for nurturing informed and responsible citizens, especially in combating disinformation. A multi-faceted approach is needed, starting with incorporating media literacy and critical thinking into the curriculum to help students evaluate sources and recognize misinformation.

Schools should also facilitate discussions on the ethical implications of sharing unverified information and the importance of responsible online behavior. Partnerships with media organizations and fact-checking initiatives can provide practical tools for navigating the digital landscape. By empowering students to become discerning consumers and responsible creators of information, schools play a vital role in countering disinformation and promoting a more informed society.

I try to combine this approach with community-based learning for my students with disability. For them this combination seems to be more relevant and build a bridge from school to their communities.