Pre-requisites
- Basic understanding of media literacy and digital ethics
- Familiarity with social media platforms and content verification methods
- Knowledge of AI-driven tools like deepfakes, bots, and synthetic media
Explanation of activity
Students will work individually or in groups to:
- Identify real-world disinformation examples (e.g., deepfake videos, AI-generated fake news, manipulated images).
- Analyze the technology behind the disinformation (e.g., machine learning for deepfakes, bots for mass dissemination, altered metadata).
- Critically evaluate the impact of these techniques on public perception, democracy, and trust in media.
- Discuss ethical concerns related to technology and deception.
- Present findings in a structured format (written report, infographic, or presentation).
Teacher materials
- Presentation slides on disinformation techniques
- Case study examples of technological manipulation
- Guidelines for evaluating sources and fact-checking
- Discussion prompts for ethical considerations
Relevant Reading to Understand the Materials:
- Shoaib, M. R., Wang, Z., Ahvanooey, M. T., & Zhao, J. (2023). Deepfakes, misinformation, and disinformation in the era of frontier AI, generative AI, and large AI models. arXiv preprint, arXiv:2311.17394. Retrieved from https://arxiv.org/abs/2311.17394
- Vinay, R., Spitale, G., Biller-Andorno, N., & Germani, F. (2024). Emotional Manipulation Through Prompt Engineering Amplifies Disinformation Generation in AI Large Language Models. arXiv preprint arXiv:2403.03550. Retrieved from https://arxiv.org/abs/2403.03550
Further Reading to Develop the Activity/Understanding of the Topic:
Student Materials
- Research worksheet to document disinformation examples
- List of fact-checking websites (e.g., Snopes, FactCheck.org, etc)
- Guidelines for identifying manipulated media
Analysis of Student Understanding
- Formative assessment: Class discussions on findings, peer feedback on presentations
- Summative assessment: Students submit a report analyzing at least two examples of disinformation, including a breakdown of the technology used and its effects
Assessing and Evaluation
- Content accuracy: Correct identification of disinformation techniques
- Critical analysis: Depth of discussion on technology’s role and impact
- Ethical reflection: Consideration of the broader societal consequences
- Presentation quality: Clarity, structure, and engagement in written or spoken format
Modulations
- For beginner students: Provide pre-selected case studies instead of requiring independent research
- For advanced students: Ask them to propose countermeasures or technological solutions to combat disinformation
- Interdisciplinary adaptation: Can be modified for journalism, political science, or computer science courses
You may also like
Resources
June 23, 2025
