Making Sense of the News: News Literacy Lessons for Digital Citizens from Coursera

Never before has the need for News Literacy been more urgent. As news consumers are bombarded with a constant stream of fake news, propaganda, hoaxes, rumors, satire, and advertising — that often masquerade as credible journalism — it is becoming more and more difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. While the public’s faith in the news media erodes, purveyors of misinformation have helped give rise to troubling cultural trends and alarming political movements.

This six-week course will help learners develop their critical thinking skills to enable them to better identify reliable information in news reports and to become better informed about the world in which we live. The course will discuss the key elements of journalism from the viewpoint of the news audience.

The language of instruction is English, but Chinese and Spanish subtitles will be available. Each week will tackle a challenge unique to the digital era:

Week 1: The power of information is now in the hands of consumers.

Week 2: What makes journalism different from other types of information?

Week 3: Where can we find trustworthy information?

Week 4: How to tell what’s fair and what’s biased.

Week 5: How to apply news literacy concepts in real life.

Week 6: Meeting the challenges of digital citizenship.

What's inside

Syllabus

Making sense of the news is more important than ever

What is news and who decides?

Where can we find trustworthy information?

Says who?

How do I apply news literacy skills?

Meeting the challenges of digital citizenship

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines the challenges of assessing the credibility of information in a digital society, which is timely and relevant

Develops skills for navigating the information landscape, which are highly relevant for the modern information consumer

Taught by recognized experts from Stanford University and the University of Massachusetts Amherst, who bring a depth of knowledge to the course

Provides real-world examples and case studies to illustrate the importance of news literacy

Reviews summary

News literacy for digital citizens

Learners say that Making Sense of the News: News Literacy Lessons for Digital Citizens is a well-structured and informative course that provides a solid foundation in news literacy. They highly recommend this course, especially for those who want to develop critical thinking and analytical skills when it comes to consuming news and media. Students report that the course is well-organized and engaging. They appreciate the clear explanations, real-life examples, and relevant readings provided by the instructors. Engaging assignments such as quizzes and thought-provoking discussions also contribute to the overall positive learning experience. However, a few students noted that the course could benefit from more up-to-date content and less overwhelming reading materials. Overall, students are very satisfied with the course and highly recommend it to anyone interested in improving their news literacy skills.

Well-structured and organized course

"Excellent course. The modules are well designed."

"This course full of information we need about news literacy, Lecturer give a simple explanation so it's easy to understand."

Assignments help in understanding the concepts

"The course assignments/quizzes were very helpful to check the understanding."

"Challenging assignments made the entire learning more fulfilling."

Real-life examples enhance understanding

"Full of real-life cases."

"Practical in an age of information overload."

Engaging and knowledgeable instructors

"FUN AND AMAZING PROFESSORS"

"Amazing and marvelous course, i will recommend it."

Clear and insightful content

"Concepts were explained clearly with relevant examples."

"Exemplos claros e evidentes de como verificar notícias e como entender a produção jornalística."

Needs more up-to-date content

"I wished that the content could be more periodically updated to keep up with current media practices in 2020 and beyond."

Overwhelming amount of reading materials

"Has Loads of reading materials apart from lectures"

"The only concern was too many reading material which may be a put-off."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Making Sense of the News: News Literacy Lessons for Digital Citizens with these activities:

Review foundational concepts of journalism

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Reinforce your understanding of the core principles of journalism before the course begins to enhance your comprehension during the course.

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Reread your notes or textbooks from previous journalism courses.
Review articles in reputable news sources to familiarize yourself with the structure and style of journalistic writing.
Attend a local journalism event or workshop to observe journalists in action.

Review the key elements of journalism

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Begin your course by reviewing and understanding the fundamentals of journalism to strengthen your perspective.

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Examine the concepts of objectivity, fairness, and accuracy in journalism.
Study the different types of news sources and their credibility.
Analyze how news is gathered, reported, and edited.

Summarize Key News Articles

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Develop active reading skills and enhance understanding of core news concepts.

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Read a news article from a reputable source.
Identify the main points and supporting details.
Write a brief summary in your own words.

11 other activities

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Participate in a Class Discussion

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Engage in collaborative learning and exchange diverse perspectives on news-related topics.

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Attend class prepared to discuss the assigned readings.
Actively listen to others' opinions.
Respectfully share your own insights and perspectives.

Analyze real-world examples of news literacy

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To refine your understanding of news literacy, identify and study examples from real-world situations.

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Identify news articles or broadcasts that demonstrate good or poor news literacy practices.
Analyze the use of language, evidence, and bias in these examples.
Discuss your findings with others to gain diverse perspectives.

Participate in peer discussion groups

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Deepen your understanding of news literacy principles through engagement with others.

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Join or form a peer discussion group with other learners.
Share and discuss your perspectives on news literacy.
Provide feedback and learn from the insights of others.

Analyze news articles

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Develop your critical thinking skills by analyzing news articles and identifying their strengths and weaknesses.

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Choose a news article on a topic you're interested in.
Identify the main points of the article.
Evaluate the sources and evidence used in the article.
Consider the author's bias and perspective.
Write a short summary of your analysis.

Practice identifying fake news and propaganda

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Develop your ability to distinguish between credible and inaccurate information sources.

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Use online tools or resources to simulate real-life situations.
Analyze headlines, articles, and images for signs of bias, misinformation, or manipulation.
Share your findings and discuss strategies for avoiding misinformation.

Volunteer for a local journalism organization

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Gain practical experience in journalism and contribute to your community.

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Find a local journalism organization that aligns with your interests.
Contact the organization and inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Attend training sessions and familiarize yourself with the organization's mission and values.
Assist with tasks such as writing, editing, or fact-checking.
Network with other journalists and learn from their expertise.

Create an Informative Blog Post

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Apply knowledge of news literacy principles to create and disseminate reliable information.

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Choose a specific news topic that interests you.
Research the topic thoroughly, using credible sources.
Organize your information into a clear and engaging post.
Proofread your post carefully before publishing.

Create a digital or physical resource on news literacy

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Develop your understanding by synthesizing your knowledge into a tangible resource.

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Choose a format for your resource, such as a blog post, video, or infographic.
Research and gather information on news literacy.
Create your resource, incorporating examples and evidence to support your points.
Share your resource with others and encourage them to engage with it.

Create a news literacy blog or podcast

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Share your knowledge of news literacy with others and engage in discussions on important issues.

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Choose a platform for your blog or podcast.
Brainstorm topics related to news literacy that you're passionate about.
Research and gather information from credible sources.
Write or record engaging content that educates and informs your audience.
Promote your blog or podcast on social media and other platforms.

Volunteer with organizations promoting media literacy

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Gain practical experience and make a meaningful contribution to promoting news literacy.

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Research local or online organizations focused on media literacy.
Contact the organization to inquire about volunteer opportunities.
Participate in activities such as educational workshops, community outreach, or research projects.

Develop a media literacy curriculum

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Create a comprehensive educational resource to teach others about the importance of news literacy.

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Outline the key concepts and skills that students should learn.
Gather resources and materials to support your lessons.
Design interactive activities and assignments to engage students.
Pilot your curriculum with a small group of students or educators.
Refine and improve your curriculum based on feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Making Sense of the News: News Literacy Lessons for Digital Citizens will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Editor

You can review and revise news articles to ensure that they are accurate and fair. You also make sure that each article meets the standards for credible journalism.

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Journalist

You can write news articles. It can be especially helpful to be able to tell what’s fair and what’s biased.

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Reporter

You can sift through information and determine what is newsworthy. You can also write news articles that are accurate, fair, and unbiased.

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Producer

You can identify relevant news stories and produce attractive shows around them. Making Sense of the News can help you ensure that the stories you produce are accurate, fair, and unbiased.

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News Anchor

You can communicate what is truly news to a mass audience. Further, you can guide your audience by telling what’s fair and what’s biased.

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Librarian

You can help people find trustworthy information. You can also point them toward sources where they can learn what makes journalism different from other types of information.

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Teacher

You can help your students develop their critical thinking skills. This course may be particularly helpful for teachers of social studies or journalism.

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Researcher

You can find and analyze information to support your research. Making Sense of the News can help you develop the skills you need to identify reliable information.

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Media Literacy Specialist

You can help people of all ages develop their critical thinking skills so they can identify reliable information in news reports. Helping people understand what is news and who decides can help them become better informed about the world in which they live.

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Public Relations Specialist

You can help organizations manage their public image.

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Freelance Writer

You can write articles for magazines, newspapers, and websites.

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Entrepreneur

You can start your own business and be your own boss.

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Analyst

You can evaluate information and make recommendations based on your findings. This course can help you develop the critical thinking skills you need to succeed.

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Consultant

You can advise clients on how to make informed decisions. Making Sense of the News can help you develop the critical thinking skills you need to succeed.

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Digital Marketing Specialist

You can help businesses market their products and services online.

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