Different sources of information are good for different purposes. Despite its glaring security issues, TikTok is increasingly being used as a way to search for more socially important information, such as where to find a restaurant or comparing two similar items. But social media has no filters to determine the accuracy of its content. For… Read more »
Tag: critical thinking
The Fight Against Fake News Begins with Me
A first person account of the battle for accuracy from a rather unattractive couch I have tried very hard to be a Nerd of Trust. To me, accurate and timely information is a critical need for daily life function, and since 2016 I have worked tirelessly to promote good information literacy while combating fake news. … Read more »
Reading – for engagement, inspiration, discovery, and more!
Many departments on campus are partnering with the library to make READ posters. These posters, conceived in 1985 by the American Library Association, promote the value and excitement of reading and other forms of literacy. Celebrity authors and media personalities are featured. At IU East, we’re featuring our own stars – staff and faculty… Read more »
The Truth about Conspiracy Theories
You’ve probably heard that the illuminati has been trying to overthrow the US government since its beginning, right? And of course you know the earth is flat, not round like all those “scientists” claim. The moon landing was obviously faked, because how could people ever really do that? You’ve heard all of these theories, but… Read more »
Fake news fatigue? Never fear!
Since fake news came to wider prominence in 2016, many of us are increasingly skeptical of news accuracy and news quality. While it makes sense to scrutinize various news sources, most Americans find mainstream media biased. Only about 32% of Americans trust mainstream news, and this figure dropped eight percentage points from the previous year’s… Read more »
Media Savvy
Media Literacy Week is coming up, starting November 6th, and it is perfectly timed as you think about sources and what you want to include in your upcoming papers and projects. Media literacy is vital to anyone, teaching you how to understand and critique the many messages news, entertainment, advertising, and more send to you,… Read more »
Separating fact from non-fact
The buzzwords are legion: Fake news, alternative facts, falsehoods. In the last three months, all these terms have been printed in newspapers, flashed on screens and rehashed on television on a nearly daily basis. It’s difficult to discern reliable data from opinion or lies these days. While there is no single sure-fire method for telling… Read more »
On the Lookout for Fake News
Did you hear that taurine can reverse the effects of tinnitus? Or that a man named Tom Ogle invented a carburetor that runs entirely on fuel vapors? Maybe you did, but hopefully you didn’t believe those stories – because they’re not true. Fake news is legion these days. According to Merrimack College professor Melissa Zimdars,… Read more »
Authority, accuracy, transparency and more: tips for being media literate
Misinformation, either accidentally or intentionally, is prevalent online and it’s up to you to decipher fact from fiction. The ability to analyze, assess, evaluate, create and act on media is called media literacy. Similar to books and websites, media can be “read” for its content and educational value. Any work of media – a YouTube… Read more »
Putting It All Into Practice
It’s finally finished! All your hard work paid off, and another semester is completed. Another milestone in your path to graduation, as an articulate, thoughtful, educated person with the knowledge, skills and attitudes for a productive life. But what you’ve learned isn’t behind you. Your classwork isn’t just a set of hoops to jump through… Read more »