At Komenda Moste Primary School and Šenčur Primary School, 7th-grade pupils participated in testing the new educational game Media Masters, designed to develop critical thinking and help recognize fake news and other forms of misleading information.
The workshop began with an overview of reliable sources of information and children's news media in Slovenia, followed by an educational video about deepfakes. We then introduced the pupils to the Media Masters game, which uses tasks, questions, and QR codes in a mobile app to help players identify disinformation. In addition, we included the Bad News Game Junior and discussions about social media, the influence of influencers, fake news, conspiracy theories, deepfakes, and tools like ChatGPT.
The pupils played the game in small groups. The sessions were moderated by Saša Petejan and Dr. Sonja Merljak Zdovc, while the attending teachers encouraged discussions on fake information and the importance of critical thinking. Pupils wrote down their impressions on paper and completed a feedback survey at the end.
We used a variety of educational approaches during the workshops:
- Experiential learning through gameplay
- Interactive discussions with moderators and teachers
- Peer learning through exchanging opinions among pupils
The game was engaging, but according to the pupils, somewhat too long and complicated. They struggled with terms such as pseudoscience, sensationalism, and Brexit. Nevertheless, the children recognized the value of the game – they especially pointed out how much they had learned about deception, disinformation, the influence of influencers, and online scams.
They appreciated being able to use their phones, work in groups, and play different games. What stuck with them most was the realization that you should not believe everything you see or hear online.
Their key takeaway is that the game has potential but needs to be adapted to the age and prior knowledge of primary school pupils. Shorter, clearer content and better explanations would enhance its effectiveness and make it more enjoyable.