MediaWise is a social-first digital media literacy initiative founded by the nonprofit organization Poynter Institute. The initiative aims to empower people by providing them with non-biased fact-based news and by teaching them how to become more "critical consumers."
Today, MediaWise announced that it would be rolling out a new messaging service called 'Find Facts Fast,' which has been designed to help voters locate reliable and accurate information on the Internet. Of course, the motivation for the new feature is the upcoming U.S. midterm elections. Ideally, users will take the course so that they can make better-informed decisions when it comes time to vote.
The service arrives in the form of a free text message-based course that anyone can sign up for. Once signed up, participants will receive text message lessons every day for one week. Lessons will focus on topics such as how to spot misinformation and how to instill fact-checking best practices.
"This text-based service is an introductory crash course that helps people of all ages and backgrounds build the fundamental skills they need to be their own fact-checker on and off the internet," said Vanya Tsvetkova, interactive learning designer for MediaWise.
Fake News Spotting Courses
MediaWise Launches Free Text Message Course Called 'Find Facts Fast'
Trend Themes
1. Digital Media Literacy - Opportunities exist for developing new digital media literacy courses and initiatives in response to the proliferation of fake news and misinformation on the Internet.
2. Text Message-based Learning - There is potential for the development of new text message-based courses as a way to deliver educational content to users who prefer mobile devices and do not have consistent access to the Internet.
3. Fact-checking Best Practices - Promoting and teaching fact-checking best practices to the public can improve the quality of information available online and help combat the spread of misinformation.
Industry Implications
1. Education - Educational institutions and organizations can develop and offer courses and initiatives that promote digital media literacy and fact-checking best practices.
2. Technology - Technology companies can explore the development of text message-based learning platforms and messaging services that deliver educational content to users' mobile devices.
3. Media and News - Media and news organizations can collaborate with educational institutions and nonprofits to promote digital media literacy and develop fact-checking resources for news consumers.