Chris Sperry Publishes in EL Magazine “Teaching Media Literacy in an INFODEMIC”
How to Combat Misinformation in the Classroom
Fake news. Deepfakes. Social media bubbles. It can be hard to know what to believe these days, especially for students. In the November 2024 issue of ASCD’s Educational Leadership, Chris Sperry shares strategies for empowering students to think critically about media messages and become informed, engaged citizens.
Sperry, co-director of Project Look Sharp, argues that “habits of critical thinking about media messages must become integrated across our curriculum for all students if we are to fulfill the promise of true democracy.” He outlines a four-step approach to media literacy education:
- Teach students how to analyze and evaluate diverse and conflicting claims.
- Give students opportunities to take and defend their own positions with evidence.
- Help students reflect on their own thinking and identify their confirmation biases.
- Integrate media literacy into all areas of the curriculum, not just social studies.
Sperry also emphasizes the importance of using a constructivist approach to teaching media literacy, which focuses on student-centered inquiry and collaboration.
Want to learn more? Read the full article here:
Teaching Media Literacy in an INFODEMIC (pdf)
About the Author
Chris Sperry is the co-director of Project Look Sharp, a media literacy initiative at Ithaca College. He is also the author of Teaching Students to Decode the World: Media Literacy and Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum.
About Project Look Sharp
Project Look Sharp is a media literacy initiative that provides educators with free and low-cost resources and training. The project’s mission is to help students develop the critical thinking skills they need to be informed and engaged citizens.
About Ithaca College
Ithaca College is a private liberal arts college located in Ithaca, New York. Known for its vibrant campus and strong academic programs, it offers undergraduate and graduate degrees across a variety of fields including arts, humanities, business, health sciences, and communications. The college emphasizes experiential learning, creative expression, and social responsibility, providing students with opportunities to engage in research, internships, and community service. The picturesque campus, nestled near Cayuga Lake, fosters a close-knit, collaborative environment.
