3 in 1 Fake News and Pseudo-Science: challenges consequences health and racism

Here are resources that tackle the related topics of fake news and pseudo science.

Resource #1 Fake News

Will Garlic Water Cure CoronaVirus? Will 5G cure covid-19?

Students need to know how to fight this.

In brief:

• Learn the history of fake news.
• It didn't begin with new media, but it has grown!
• The what, why and how of fake news.
• Coronavirus fact check: 7 reports for students to confirm or debunk
• students summarize the lesson by creating infographics.
• PowerPoint and Word file with speakers notes

Resource in detail:

I used this as a precursor to conducting individual research projects. I noticed my students do not understand the importance of reliable sources. 

This is a PowerPoint presentation (39 slides) which gives the background for the rise of fake news from an 1835 example to te latest in deep fake.

It gives concrete examples and finishes with rules of thumbs.

Concepts covered: fake vs. perspective, traditional media vs new media, misleading images and Covid-19 fake news assignment.

Inside are good visual examples, and a short video clip. 

It should be super engaging; both a fun break and a serious class discussion.

The slides all have notes for the teacher.

It's also fully editable.

This was a really successful unit in my class. 

I hope you love it as well!

Resources #2+#3 Racism, Eugenics, Google assignment and pptx

No excuse for racism is acceptable.

This a google forms unit that is a self-guided assignment.

This unit draws a lesson for the horrific history of eugenics.

See the preview for view of the three-sectioned google form.

This form automatically grades students.

What questioned are addressed in this unit?

• Why were women of colour, and other minorities and low income individuals, subject to forced sterilization?
• What did Nazi policy think handicapped and Jewish people deserved?
• What is the neutral scientific concept that was twisted into racist policies?

When science is abused and made into pseudoscience, policymakers supported the sterilization and killings of those deemed not fit. A lesson about the dark history of the roots of white supremacy and racism.

Perfect for online learning.

The google form uses text-based questions. Students must use their critical thinking skills. The questions are not simple true/false but demand students to think and engage with the different concepts covered.

They will need to figure out what a Nazi sign says (multiple choice)

They will need to choose between two scientific concepts (natural selection and grafting) as the one which was twisted by racists.

And three more questions inside.

Complimentary the Free PowerPoint

• Difference between science and pseudoscience
• Eugenics with examples
• Fighting racism and pseudoscience today.