If you’re a social media aficionado, or someone who feels confident enough to distinguish articles that are absurd from the ones that are logical — now is your opportunity to put that talent to the test.
Melissa Laidman of the McGrath Library will be hosting Fact or Fiction, a virtual game of news literacy hosted through Zoom, on March 1st, at 6 p.m.
Fact or Fiction is a new program at Hilbert College that designed to test even the wisest and most rational thinkers, a fun game of fact-checking where participants are able to remotely compete against friends and fellow students.
“I ran the program in the Fall Semester at (Erie Community College),” Melissa Laidman, Hilbert’s reference librarian, said in an email, “It was really successful at ECC and the students gave me lots of positive feedback.”
Though the program will remain similar to that of its original form at Erie Community College, Laidman has plans to expand on the program’s questionnaire with things that will be more timely.
“It will be mostly the same,” Laidman said “But I am switching up some of the questions because some didn’t work that well.”
In an age where false news has become a valid concern with the widespread dissemination of misinformation on social media and other platforms, having an idea of what is and what isn’t misleading information is invaluable to those who find themselves spending more and more time indoors and online with eyes glued to social media during the coronavirus pandemic. Fact or Fiction being available remotely will give more people an opportunity to learn about the identifying of false or speculative information in a rewarding manner. Though the current event will be hosted remotely to allow for more students to participate, Laidman hopes to one day make the event available in person as well.
If you’re interested in participating in Fact or Fiction, you can register to sign up by visiting https://hilbert.libwizard.com/f/factorfiction. Winner of the event will also receive a $10 Amazon e-card. The event is slated to run from 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM EST. Participants will be sent a Zoom link prior to the event starting. For further information, potential signees can contact Melissa Laidman with any inquiries or concerns at mlaidman@hilbert.edu.
The Scribe 