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California Schools Will Require Students to Learn to ID Fake News, Misinformation | KQED (www.kqed.org)

submitted 1 year ago by DevCat@lemmy.world to c/usa@lemmy.ml

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Pushing back against the surge of misinformation online, California will now require all K-12 students to learn media literacy skills — such as recognizing fake news and thinking critically about what they encounter on the internet.

Gov. Gavin Newsom last month signed Assembly Bill 873, which requires the state to add media literacy to curriculum frameworks for English language arts, science, math and history-social studies, rolling out gradually beginning next year. Instead of a stand-alone class, the topic will be woven into existing classes and lessons throughout the school year.

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[–] library_napper@monyet.cc 16 points 1 year ago (4 children)

During remote learning, he gave students two articles on the origins of the coronavirus. One was an opinion piece from the New York Post, a tabloid, and the other was from a scientific journal. He asked students which they thought was accurate. More than 90% chose the Post piece.

Fuuuk how could you possibly make that choice when presented with both?!?

[–] creamed_eels@toast.ooo 8 points 1 year ago

Because tabloid trash is written specifically to appeal to casual readers with buzzwords, colourful pictures, and manufactured outrage. Scientific journals are dry and use big words and academic terms. They probably didn’t read past the first two sentences.

[–] CurlyMoustache@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I'm not a teacher, but I've worked with 14-15 years olds to learn them critical thinking, the scientific principles and about humanism. Not one of them could distinguish between a opnion piece and reporting

[–] library_napper@monyet.cc 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

And after your teaching them the difference? How many could differentiate then?

[–] Alexstarfire@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago

I think I'd rather not know the answer.

[–] Daft_ish@lemmy.world 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

New York my boy. New York knows all the things. Unlike science, which cant even do god just a little bit.

[–] Jax@sh.itjust.works 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Well, considering most of the U.S. reads below a 6th grade level and California has the highest population amongst the states... it makes sense these kids chose the source that tells them what to think.

Scientific journals have fun jargon words that make parsing certain sentences impossible without either knowledge of that field, or taking the time to look them up. That step right there is too much for many people, I think.

[–] library_napper@monyet.cc 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

But wouldn't the reasonable conclusion at least be "wow these are big words and it says scientists wrote it; must be more trustworthy"

[–] Jax@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 year ago

Correct.

Counter-question: how does one develop the ability to reason through information they don't understand if they don't read? Where would that skill develop?