Media literacy is vitally important for today's students

Danielle Kutchel

By Danielle Kutchel
Published August 5, 2020

Since being tweeted by Donald Trump several years ago, the term ‘fake news’ has entered the common vernacular: from an insult hurled at news media, to a catch-cry of denialists, it’s certainly become the phrase du jour.

Annabel Astbury, head of education at the ABC, says teachers have felt their students could not detect misinformation, and so, in collaboration with RMIT Fact Check, the ABC has produced a toolkit for students and teachers.

But perhaps, in some way, Trump was onto something. After all, the amount of information we’re bombarded with each day ...

This story appeared in the August 2020 edition of Australian Teacher Magazine.

EOI - Deputy Principal (Primary) - Temporary Talent Pool - 2026 - Metropolitan North Region

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Brisbane

Are you interested in relieving as a Deputy Principal within Metropolitan North Region? Our region is creating a talent pool of experienced school leaders available f...

Teaching - Secondary / Jun 23, 2026

Head of Department (Mathematics) - Robina State High School

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Brisbane

Robina State High School is seeking Expressions of Interest for a Head of Department (Mathematics). This is a temporary full-time position for Term 3, 2026 unless othe...

Teaching - Secondary / Jun 23, 2026

EOI - Principal (Levels 3 - 10) - Temporary Relieving Pool 2026 - Metropolitan North Region

Department of Education and Training (Queensland) Brisbane

Are you looking for short term relieving opportunities as a Principal within Metropolitan North Region? Our region is creating a talent pool of experienced school lea...

Teaching - Secondary / Jun 23, 2026

School news / ‘Absolute disgrace’: fatal park attack near school shocks parents

A school community has been left to pick up the pieces after a man died following a violent attack in broad daylight metres from its gates.

School news / New ‘Futures Academy’ to help get at-risk back on track and re-engaged in education

The Queensland Government has announced a new Crime Prevention School to provide specialised education, mentoring, and family support for at-risk youth in Grades 7-12 who are disengaged from mainstream schooling.

School news / New PD offerings helping teachers grow the next gen of ag professionals

Teachers are being given new tools to help students explore the wide range of careers available across Queensland’s agriculture industry.

School news / AEU members vote to reject Vic Govt’s public school pay and conditions offer

Victorian teachers have rejected their union’s advice and voted down a pay rise offer of up to 32 per cent.

School news / ‘False sense of mastery’: AI may erode the mental structures for learning, experts warn

Quality teaching and the way we learn isn't changing because of AI, but the context means we have to make it the centrepiece of what schools do and give teachers the support and the agency to do so, Professor Leslie Loble says.

School news / ‘Defeats the purpose’: maths expert takes aim at CAS calculators allowed in exams

Subject study designs that heavily involve senior students using advanced calculators capable of solving problems that veer well into university-level mathematics, risk diluting teacher instruction and derailing learning – and are causing clear eq...

School news / Catholic educators take next step in ongoing fight for fair bargaining rights

The IEU has begun its application for a Single Interest Authorisation (SIA) before the Fair Work Commission, marking a major step in its campaign for fair bargaining rights for Victorian Catholic education staff.

School news / ‘They can’t resist them’: teacher reveals extent of digital device distraction

The classroom often descends into a ‘battle scene’ when students have devices with them, as one teacher reports it is a constant struggle to ensure screens remain closed or actually used for learning.

School news / ‘Tough on truancy’ policies under scrutiny as attendance rates continue to drop

Extreme flooding is being blamed for Northern Territory’s reduced school attendance rates as its education minister defends her Government’s tough anti-truancy policy, which includes fines for parents.

School news / Teen terror accused had ‘autistic interest’ in bombs, court hears

A teenager accused of preparing a terrorist attack on then-opposition leader Peter Dutton was not guilty due to his autism-related fixations on dark humour and explosives, a jury has heard.

Comments