Another Fake Another Fact? - Flying apes on the moon

Our experience at school shows that students struggle to distinguish between real and fake news. This project aimed to demonstrate how misinformation shapes their opinions and thinking. Students d...

Our experience at school shows that students struggle to distinguish between real and fake news. This project aimed to demonstrate how misinformation shapes their opinions and thinking. Students developed awareness of the consequences of fake news, which affects people of all ages. The project highlighted its influence on personal opinion formation and decision-making in areas such as politics and social issues. We sought to expand knowledge in several key areas. First, media literacy, as many students lack the skills to critically evaluate online information, making them vulnerable to fake news. Second, intercultural differences in news consumption, comparing how Italy, Spain, and Germany perceive and handle misinformation. Third, critical thinking skills, helping students differentiate between credible and misleading sources. Finally, responsible digital citizenship, encouraging ethical and informed behavior online. In summary, we aimed to foster international cooperation and equip students and teachers with effective strategies to combat misinformation.

The kick-off meeting took place in October 2023 in Cologne, where follow-up meetings with students were planned. Teachers attended a workshop at the International Newspaper Museum in Aachen, where director Andreas Düspohl explained methods for identifying fake news. The first student meeting with participants from Bergamo, Granada, and Cologne was held in January 2024 in Granada. To ensure a common knowledge base, they joined an online workshop with the Aachen museum. They then began developing materials for a self-created web application, including a Check-it game to verify news, scene-stopping videos on fake news, and the app itself. The second activity took place in Cologne in March 2024, where students worked on filming, refining the web app's backend and frontend, designing the web page and different materials (such as the logo of the project) and further developing the Check-it game. Final development and presentation to the school community occurred in Bergamo in November 2024. The final report was completed with colleagues from Bergamo, Granada, and Cologne in February 2025.

Students developed educational materials such as the CHECK-IT game, which demonstrates how convincingly fake news can be packaged, and scene-stopping videos, which show how easily misinformation spreads and its effects. Web app visitors can interactively influence the course of these videos. The project also includes instructions on using reverse search engines to verify images and texts. All content, including source code, is published in multiple languages on GitHub and E+PRP, allowing other organizations to host their own web apps or expand features. This ensures a broad, global reach. A key outcome of Another Fake - Another Fact? is integrating 'Dealing with Fake News' into the politics curriculum. Collaboration with the International Newspaper Museum in Aachen is also set to continue. For students, the project offers hands-on experience in knowledge transfer. By creating materials, they deepen their understanding of fake news, becoming experts who can educate others. Participants also gain valuable personal and intercultural skills.