Confronting Fake News in Classrooms: Equipping Children to Sift Factual Information from Misinformation

This PEP Talk episode features Jennifer LaGarde, co-author of Fact vs. Fiction: Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in the Age of Fake News. Tackling the issue of fake news has become a major concern for K–12 educators as they find themselves in a strategic position to help school age children navigate their way through a complex and rapidly evolving digital landscape. Students receive information from a variety of sources, but they are not equipped with the necessary skill sets to detect, decipher, and deal with the misinformation and disinformation that inundate their digital devices. Listen to LaGarde share practical strategies and skills designed to help students navigate the landscape of fake news and think critically about how they receive, evaluate, and share information. 

Jennifer LaGarde works with educators worldwide to develop innovative instructional practices. Her work around the world has been recognized by The New York Times, The American Association of School Librarians, and The Carnegie Foundation. LaGarde is also the author of the award-winning blog, The Adventures of Library Girl,  and she currently works with preservice librarians at Rutgers University.