edWeb and the News Literacy Project Announce a New Online Community and Series of edWebinars on Media Literacy

News Literacy ProjectedWeb.net is excited to announce that the News Literacy Project will be sponsoring News Literacy, a free professional learning community on edWeb where educators can work together to develop their students’ civic knowledge and critical thinking skills when consuming news and information.

The News Literacy Project, a nonpartisan national education nonprofit, is working hard to ensure that young people do not become caught in a web of falsehoods, hoaxes, and conspiracy theories by offering a diverse range of education resources. Through the free News Literacy professional learning community and edWebinars, educators will receive teaching strategies and best practices, will stay up to date on news literacy and will find help and support for improving their students’ abilities to be engaged participants in democracy. All News Literacy Project programs and resources, including its signature e-learning platform Checkology, are available free to educators.

The News Literacy Project will kick off its sponsorship with the edWebinar, “Teaching Disinformation in 2020: CIA Tips for Students and Educators,” on Wednesday, October 14th at 5 pm Eastern Time. Peter Adams of the News Literacy Project and former CIA officer and author Cindy Otis will discuss the difference between misinformation and disinformation. Participants will learn how to tell if a bot or a troll is behind the online content and what to do about it, and will learn strategies for honing news literacy skills using timely, real-world examples. The presenters will also dive into the information landscape surrounding the 2020 elections and political campaigns. Attendees of the live edWebinar will have an opportunity to participate in a book giveaway of True or False by Cindy Otis. Educators are invited to register for the live edWebinar or to receive the recording on the event page.

Shaelynn Farnsworth, the National Director of Educator Outreach and Success for the News Literacy Project, commented, “We are excited to provide a place where educators can go for free news literacy resources, learning opportunities and support to ensure that their students are empowered to help build a ‘future founded on facts.’”

Lisa Schmucki, the founder and CEO of edWeb.net, commented, “News literacy is fundamental to our democracy, so we are incredibly honored to host this new community and series of edWebinars with the News Literacy Project.”

Educators are invited to join the free professional learning community, News Literacy, and are invited to register for the October 14th edWebinar, “Teaching Disinformation in 2020: CIA Tips for Students and Educators.”

About the News Literacy Project
The News Literacy Project is a nonpartisan national education nonprofit, provides programs and resources for educators and the public to teach, learn and share the abilities needed to be smart, active consumers of news and information and equal and engaged participants in a democracy.