×
X logo

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox.

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)

You may opt-out anytime by clicking "unsubscribe" from the newsletter or from your account.

Teaching Students About the Media

Students at some schools in our area benefit from discussions, usually on the spur of the moment in classes on history or civics, about what has come to be referred to as “fake news.”

A few school districts understand that helping young people navigate the ever-changing world of “the media” merits special attention. One high school in Toledo, Ohio, will offer a course on the subject next year.

Many students — and quite a few adults — seem to have trouble distinguishing between news reports and advertising. A multiplicity of information sources has some uncertain which ones specialize in “fake news” and which can be relied upon to report as accurately as possible.

That is a concern for those of us at newspapers dedicated to telling the truth as well as we can determine it. It should be a worry for everyone, simply because important decisions, either personal or in government, should be based on the facts.

Educators in our area don’t need any more mandates for what they must teach and how they must teach it. But, when they can sandwich it in among all the ways they are required to spend classroom time, many teachers find ways to impart important, practical knowledge to young people. Making use of the media would be a worthy addition in that regard.

NEWSLETTER

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *

COMMENTS

Starting at $4.73/week.

Subscribe Today