CRISP, in collaboration with Civic Education Teachers’ Forum (CETF) and Eastern European Network of Citizenship Education (EENCE), has launched a project focused on the critical and emerging issue of disinformation in education.
"Fighting Fake News in a Culture Sensitive Manner" is designed to bring together civic education teachers from Ukraine, Moldova, and Georgia, equipping them with the skills to develop culture-sensitive educational materials and effectively manage classrooms in which disinformation may be prevalent.
The program aims at educators committed to fostering critical thinking and media literacy among students. The main objectives are to introduce educators to dilemma-based learning, equip them with the skills to manage classroom discussions around sensitive topics, and provide them with tools to counteract misinformation effectively.
More about the project:
At first, the research on the effects of the disinformation on the school community (students, teachers, administration, parents) was conducted, receiving over 1874 completed questionnaires from respondents from different regions of Georgia. Based on the collected information, the project's further steps were adapted to the needs of our targeted audience.
Then, between February and April 2024, a series of online workshops was held where 3 trainers from Ukraine and Georgia covered themes related to teachers' self-regulations, conflict-sensitive education, media literacy, and the threats of disinformation to democracy. Participants consistently met online to attend workshops and work on the assignments they were given. The presence of (non-)verbal communication between and within groups from different countries helped them to get to know each other and get a theoretical overview for what they will be working on during the rest of the project.
After that, a study visit took place in Berlin between April 27th and May 3rd, offering a comprehensive program designed to equip educators from three countries with innovative teaching strategies. Supported by experts from Ukraine, Austria, and Germany, participants were able to exchange their teaching experience and develop cases pertinent to their local contexts. The training combined team-building exercises, an introduction to dilemma-based learning, and conflict theory to enhance understanding and prevention of disinformation. Participants explored Kohlberg's theory of moral development and engaged in practical activities to apply these theories in educational scenarios. Visits to a German school, museums, and Bundestag were incorporated to enrich understanding and foster cross-cultural connections. The sessions also focused on creating and refining case studies about misinformation, facilitating sensitive topics in classrooms, and evaluating educational materials. This holistic approach aimed to equip educators with tools to handle misinformation effectively in diverse cultural contexts.
The training is going to culminate in the creation of a manual based on the tested cases, which will guide participants and other educators in dealing with the topic of disinformation in heterogeneous classrooms. Until the end of June 2024, this manual will be finalized and presented at the conference for partnering organizations and selected participants from each country.
Project Goals
Our objective is to empower educators to identify and confront urgent educational challenges stemming from the diverse ethnic and gender backgrounds of their students and the widespread issue of disinformation. We aim to equip them with practical tools to enhance their teaching effectiveness, enabling environments conducive to critical thinking and informed discussions.
Target Group(s)
The primary audience for this workshop includes 25 teachers in Georgia, Moldova, and Ukraine, particularly those working in regions heavily impacted by disinformation and where classrooms are increasingly diverse. Beneficiaries of the project are over 800 students who on a regular basis take civic education classes from the teachers who participated in the project.
Planned Outcomes/Achievements
- Participants develop and implement culturally sensitive educational materials to effectively address disinformation.
- Participants apply strategies learned (such as Dilemma-based learning, Kohlberg's Theory, Bloom's Taxonomy, etc) during the training to foster educational environments that encourage critical thinking and informed discussions in their schools.
- A ready-to-use manual is developed that enables teachers to use dilemma-based learning and adapt it to different target groups and environments.
The project aims at educational objectives but also fosters an international network, establishing a sustained dialogue and support system among educators facing similar challenges in different geopolitical contexts.
For more information or to book a training, please contact us at hello@crisp-berlin.org or visit the contact section on our website.
