The rise of ‘fake news’, the indiscriminate application of newer AI technologies and the constant evolution of the information landscape all pose interesting and perhaps unprecedented challenges for educators.

Digital content curation is key to building resilience to misinformation in three important ways:

1. Encourage information exploration

Digital content curation involves careful selection and organisation of learning objects in a way that provides a ‘story’ or context for exploring information.

This scaffolding of information and ideas fosters critical thinking skills and ultimately encourages the learner to:

The Digital Learning Institute likens this to a museum, where items are not randomly selected, but rather characterised by:

“A careful selection and display […] that provides a context for the viewer, and gives them the opportunity to engage, experience and respond.” (What Is Learning Curation & Why Is It Important, 2022).

LibPaths takes this one step further by harnessing a profile-based approach to the sharing of curated content to target students at their immediate point of need.

2. Model critical evaluation

The model of information often presented to our students on the internet is one of exaggeration, misconception and sometimes intentional misdirection.

“We ought to seek to reach a point where scepticism towards online information is as common a piece of wisdom as refusing candy from a stranger” (Ali, 2023).

Because of this, modelling appropriate and critical evaluation to students – through a carefully curated and scaffolded presentation of resources – becomes more crucial than ever before.

3. Ensure consistent delivery

Targeted delivery of transferable skill development – such as research processes, study strategies and critical literacies – is relevant to all curriculum areas and is uniquely targeted through digital content curation.

By leveraging a digital content curation platform, such as LibPaths, schools can:

These packaged resources can then be ‘shared’ from LibPaths to any number of information access points to:

Want to see how LibPaths can be an invaluable tool in the new information landscape? Talk to the team at Concord for a demo.

References:
Ali, Mir Mohammad. (2023, June 19). Bridging the Information Gap: AI, Misinformation, and Global Education Reform – HKS Student Policy Review. HKS Student Policy Review. https://studentreview.hks.harvard.edu/bridging-the-information-gap-ai-misinformation-and-global-education-reform/

What is Learning Curation & Why is it Important. (2022, August 25). Digital Learning Institute. https://www.digitallearninginstitute.com/blog/what-is-content-curation-for-learning

World Economic Forum. (2024, January 10). Global Risks Report 2024. World Economic Forum; World Economic Forum. https://www.weforum.org/publications/global-risks-report-2024/digest/