第10回全国学生英語プレゼンテーションコンテスト【奨励賞】

Summary

This presentation discusses the growing issue of fake news and its widespread impact, particularly through social media. It highlights the importance of critical thinking in combating misinformation, emphasizing the need for educational courses on this topic. The proposed course, designed for teenagers and employees, will teach skills to identify and question fake news using fact-checking tools and logic. Fact checkers from tech giants like Facebook and Twitter will engage students, making the learning process interactive and insightful. The initiative aims to promote media literacy, starting in Japan and expanding globally.

Takeaways

• 😀 The presentation discusses the issue of fake news, using a viral article about a comedian's death as an example of misinformation.
• 😀 Fake news can spread easily on social media, and many people are at risk of encountering and sharing it due to a lack of critical thinking skills.
• 😀 A study shows that over 50% of internet users in 24 countries use social media as a source for news, increasing the likelihood of exposure to fake news.
• 😀 Social media isn't the sole cause of fake news; the primary issue is the public's inability to critically evaluate information.
• 😀 Media literacy and critical thinking are essential tools for tackling fake news, as evidenced by high-ranking countries like Finland, Denmark, and Estonia.
• 😀 Finland's strong public education system has been instrumental in combating misinformation, promoting critical thinking from an early age.
• 😀 The proposed solution is to implement a mandatory critical thinking course in schools and companies to help individuals recognize fake news.
• 😀 The course will focus on basic logic, how to distinguish facts from opinions, and how to spot misinformation and disinformation.
• 😀 Fact-checkers from companies like Facebook and Twitter will be the instructors, offering students real-world insights into combating fake news.
• 😀 The program includes interactive learning methods like games and quizzes, allowing students to actively engage with the material and practice spotting fake news.
• 😀 The course will help students develop the skills needed to critically analyze news, spot biases, and verify information, ultimately leading to a more informed society.

Q & A

What is the main issue that the presenters discuss in the script?

The main issue discussed is the spread of fake news, its impact on society, and how to combat it through critical thinking education.

What real-life example did the presenters use to highlight the problem of fake news?

The presenters used the example of a famous Vietnamese comedian who was falsely reported as dead, which went viral and caused widespread mourning, only for him to appear alive later.

Why is fake news particularly dangerous in today’s world?

Fake news is dangerous because it can spread quickly through social media, influencing public opinion, triggering fear or anger, and leading to societal chaos, as seen during the COVID-19 pandemic.

What role does social media play in the spread of fake news, according to the presenters?

Social media is a major conduit for the spread of fake news, but the presenters argue that the root cause lies in people's inability to critically assess the information they encounter online.

How do the presenters propose to tackle the issue of fake news?

They propose a critical thinking course to be taught in schools and workplaces, focusing on teaching individuals how to evaluate information, recognize fake news, and develop a more discerning mindset.

What countries are cited as examples of strong media literacy education?

Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Sweden, and Ireland are highlighted as countries with strong media literacy programs, which contribute to their higher resistance to misinformation.

What would be the structure of the critical thinking course proposed by the presenters?

The course would be offered in schools for teenagers and in workplaces for employees, lasting 4-5 months, with no grades or evaluations. It would focus on critical thinking, media literacy, and recognizing fake news.

Who would be teaching this critical thinking course?

The course would be taught by fact-checkers from tech giants like Facebook or Twitter, who have experience in combating fake news. These experts would share their real-world knowledge to engage students.

What kinds of activities and methods would be used to teach the course?

Students would participate in quizzes, play games, and create fake news articles to help them apply critical thinking in spotting misinformation. The class would also be interactive, with students asking questions and getting advice from teachers.

What is the expected outcome of the critical thinking course?

The expected outcome is that students will be able to distinguish between facts, opinions, and fake news, understand the problems with news from social media, and develop sharper thinking skills to critically assess information.