In today’s digital age, the spread and rise of misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation has become a critical societal issue. Misleading or false information, unintentionally or otherwise, can spread rapidly, causing significant harm and confusion, just as the 1938, War of the Worlds radio broadcast by Orson Welles had, for so many. My partner, Allie, and I recently delved into this topic during a Zoom conversation, exploring how digital learning environments (DLE) have influenced the propagation of both good and not so good information.
Allie and I met through our MALAT Master’s program, where we were paired for an activity focusing on contemporary societal problems and digital learning environments. We chose to discuss the impact of DLEs on the spread of misinformation… the dreaded “FAKE NEWS“. Our conversation was engaging and enlightening, and we recorded it to share our insights with you.
Digital learning environments have played a dual role in the context of information integrity:
- Propagation of Misinformation:
- Fast as a Speeding Bullet with Reach like Mr. Fantastic: Digital platforms facilitate the rapid dissemination of information, which includes both accurate and false content. The viral nature of social media which can be heavily used in DLEs can amplify misinformation quickly, reaching vast audiences before corrections can be made.
- Echo Chambers: Algorithms on digital platforms often create echo chambers, where users are exposed predominantly to information that aligns with their existing beliefs. This reinforces misinformation and makes it harder for individuals to encounter corrective information.
Combating Misinformation through Critical Analysis:
Digital Literacy Programs: Educational initiatives within digital learning environments have advanced and enhance critical thinking skills by directly engaging with these information issues by incorporating critical analysis inside curriculum.
Our discussion only touched the surface of the complex relationship that digital learning environments have had in the propagation of misinformation as well as fostering confirmation bias.
While digital platforms have inadvertently spread false information through the years during their development, they also have come to offer powerful solutions to combat it.
And now for your viewing pleasure, my friend Allie and I have included our not so brief conversation, haha.
References
Boyd, D. (2011). Social network sites as networked publics: Affordances, dynamics, and implications. In Z. Papacharissi (Ed.), A Networked Self (pp. 39–58). https://www.danah.org/papers/2010/SNSasNetworkedPublics.pdf
Mathew, K. Muhammed, S. (2022, February 15). The disaster of misinformation: a review of research in social media. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s41060-022-00311-6
McGrew, S., Ortega, T., Breakstone, J., & Wineburg, S. (2017). The challenge that’s bigger than fake news. American Educator, 41(3), 4-9. https://www.aft.org/ae/fall2017/mcgrew_ortega_breakstone_wineburg
Pappas, S. (2022, January 1). Fighting fake news in the classroom. Monitor on Psychology, 53(1). https://www.apa.org/monitor/2022/01/career-fake-news
Szymaniak, K., Zajenkowski, M., Fronczyk, K., & Kwiatkowska, M. M. (2023). Trait anger and approach motivation are related to higher endorsement of specific and generic conspiracy beliefs. Journal of Research in Personality. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jrp.2023.104258
All Images by OpenAI. (2024). 1980’s Comic Style Information Sleuthing. https://chat.openai.com/
Interesting thoughts! The idea of malinformation was new to me.
I’ve often thought about the “War of the Worlds” example and wondered about the impact of technology in raising the credibility or believability of a message. Does the “high tech” nature of the medium increase influence of the message? Is there a reflected credibility from the novelty of an emerging tech medium? As you discuss, I also am curious how the interactive nature of “clicks and likes” social media influences our willingness to believe what we read online–and I also wonder how such effects carry over into digital learning environments.