Bot or Not? How Fake Social Media Accounts Could Influence Voting

Learning Resource Type

Classroom Resource

Subject Area

Digital Literacy and Computer Science

Grade(s)

7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12

Overview

The invention of social media has provided us with a wide range of opportunities to become more informed on key issues and engage in the democratic process. However, it has also created space for individuals to try to influence public opinion around a particular political agenda through the creation of thousands of phony social media accounts, or computer-generated ‘bots.’

In this PBS NewsHour lesson, students will examine how the invention of the bot on social media websites like Twitter plays a role in influencing public opinion. Students will then invent their own bot to spread awareness about an issue they care about.

Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 7

DLCS18.7.R5

Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

UP:DLCS18.7.R5

Vocabulary

  • curate

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to find valid sources and cite those sources to answer a given research topic.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • locate valid digital resources to answer given research questions.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • a great deal of information is available.
  • it is important to validate the information and to cite the source of the information.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

DLCS18.8.R5

Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

UP:DLCS18.8.R5

Vocabulary

  • curate

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to find valid sources to answer a given research topic.
  • cite sources.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • locate valid digital resources to answer given research questions.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • a great deal of information is available.
  • it is important to validate information and to cite the source of information.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 8

DLCS18.8.13

Evaluate the impact of digital globalization on public perception and ways Internet censorship can affect free and equitable access to information.

UP:DLCS18.8.13

Vocabulary

  • digital globalization
  • Internet censorship

Knowledge

Students know:
  • at one time, trades and goods were limited to mostly advanced economies; with changes in digital globalization, services and data are more readily available to all economies not affected by censorship.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • identify positive and negative implications of digital globalization and internet censorship.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • digital globalization has provided opportunities to countries less advanced than some larger countries.
  • internet censorship occurs locally and abroad.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 09-12

DLCS18.HS.R5

Locate and curate information from digital sources to answer research questions.

UP:DLCS18.HS.R5

Vocabulary

  • curate

Knowledge

Students know:
  • how to find valid sources to answer a given research topic.
  • how to cite sources.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • locate valid digital resources to answer given research questions.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • a great deal of information is available.
  • it is important to validate information and to cite the source of information.
Digital Literacy and Computer Science (2018) Grade(s): 09-12

DLCS18.HS.20

Evaluate strategies to manage digital identity and reputation with awareness of the permanent impact of actions in a digital world.

UP:DLCS18.HS.20

Vocabulary

  • digital identity

Knowledge

Students know:
  • that often individuals are judged by their publicly visible online presence prior to meeting people in person.
  • that strategies exist to manage what is publicly posted online about you.

Skills

Students are able to:
  • identify both positive and negative posts online.
  • identify consequences associated with negative online posting.
  • manage their digital identity and minimize negative repercussions.

Understanding

Students understand that:
  • data posted online may not remain private.
  • all data shared online will have some impact on one's digital identity.
  • one must be mindful of the data attached to one's digital identity.

CR Resource Type

Lesson/Unit Plan

Resource Provider

PBS

License Type

Custom
https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ccabb2b1-491f-4efe-9590-6302f70899e9/…

Custom License Type (URL)

https://www.pbslearningmedia.org/help/terms-of-use/

Approved Date

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