Preparation

None.

Method / Process description

The aim of this exercise is to collect the different factors that influence the way we look at the world. Learners should become aware of how they are influenced in the way they see the world. This exercise serves as an introduction to the topic of opinion making and does not focus exclusively on opinion making and fake news. 

The exercise is implemented as an open discussion in plenary. The teacher collects the topics and clusters them on the board or flipchart. 

The topics are briefly discussed during the collection. Subsequently, individual topics can be elaborated in detail in separate teaching units. 

The target picture should contain at least the following statements:

• Own world view / own views 
• Selective information search
  • I mainly look for information that confirms or strengthens my opinion, less for contrary opinions. 
• Own filter bubble 
  • What food do I read? What information reaches me at all?
  • In which circles do I move? 
• My own interpretation of the information
  • What do I read in a message? 
  • What do I possibly want to read in a piece of information?
  • Own conclusions (causality vs. correlation)
• Effect of the "echo chamber
  • With which persons / profiles do I discuss information? 
  • What is the proportion of people with similar opinions compared to people with different opinions in my circle of friends?  
• Objectivity of news and media
  • How objective is news? How objective can an author write?
  • Difference between reporting and commentary 
  • Interpretation of an event
• Pre-selected news by automated systems 
  • My newsfeed in social media is based on an algorithm
  • Search engine results are based on the algorithm of the respective search engine 
• Attempts to influence 
  • Image manipulation
  • Attempts at political influence / manipulation
  • Misinformation
• Types of misinformation
  • Chain letters and hoaxes
  • Accidental / unconscious misinformation (unintentional)
  • Disinformation & classic fake news (deliberate spreading of misinformation)
  • agitation
  • Conspiracy theories 

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References

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