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The Information Disorder Spectrum

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About This MicroSim

This interactive MicroSim helps students classify examples of false or misleading content into the correct category (misinformation, disinformation, malinformation, propaganda) based on intent and accuracy.. It supports the learning objectives in Chapter: Misinformation and the Information Age.

How to Use

Use the interactive controls below the drawing area to explore the visualization. Hover over elements for additional information and click to see detailed descriptions.

Iframe Embed Code

You can add this MicroSim to any web page by adding this to your HTML:

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<iframe src="https://dmccreary.github.io/theory-of-knowledge/sims/information-disorder-spectrum/main.html"
        height="450px"
        width="100%"
        scrolling="no"></iframe>

Lesson Plan

Grade Level

9-12 (High School / IB TOK)

Duration

15-20 minutes

Prerequisites

  • Understanding the difference between facts, opinions, and claims
  • Awareness that false or misleading information exists in media and online spaces
  • Basic familiarity with the terms misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation

Learning Objectives

  • Analyze examples of information disorder by accurately classifying them as misinformation, disinformation, or malinformation based on the intent and veracity of the content

Activities

  1. Exploration (5 min): Open the sim and read the definitions of the three categories: misinformation (false, no intent to harm), disinformation (false, intent to deceive), and malinformation (true but used to harm). Examine the spectrum visualization to understand how these categories relate to each other along dimensions of truth and intent.
  2. Guided Practice (10 min): Work through the 10 classification examples provided. For each example, read carefully and classify it into one of the three categories before revealing the answer. Keep a tally of correct and incorrect classifications. For any you got wrong, write a sentence explaining why the example belongs in its correct category. Pay special attention to borderline cases where classification is ambiguous, and note what additional context would help you decide.
  3. Assessment (5 min): Find or create three original examples of information disorder (one for each category) drawn from current events, social media, or everyday life. For each, explain: (a) Is the content true or false? (b) What is the intent behind sharing it? (c) What harm could it cause? Discuss borderline cases with a partner: Can the same piece of content shift categories depending on who shares it and why?

Assessment

  • Correctly classifies at least 8 of 10 provided examples into the appropriate information disorder category
  • Provides clear justification for classification decisions that references both truth value and intent
  • Identifies at least one borderline case and explains what factors make classification difficult

Quiz

Test your understanding with this review question.

1. A politician's private medical records are leaked to the press by a political rival during an election campaign. The records are authentic and accurate. This is best classified as:

  1. Misinformation, because the public may misinterpret the medical data
  2. Disinformation, because it was shared with the intent to deceive voters
  3. Malinformation, because it is true information shared with the intent to cause harm
  4. Not information disorder, because the information is factually accurate
Show Answer

The correct answer is C. Malinformation involves genuine, factual information that is shared deliberately to cause harm. In this case, the medical records are authentic, but they were leaked strategically to damage the politician's reputation during an election. The truth of the content does not exempt it from being a form of information disorder when the intent is to harm.

Concept Tested: Malinformation and the role of intent in information disorder

References

  1. Wardle, C., & Derakhshan, H. (2017). Information Disorder: Toward an Interdisciplinary Framework for Research and Policymaking. Council of Europe.
  2. UNESCO. (2018). Journalism, 'Fake News' and Disinformation: Handbook for Journalism Education and Training. UNESCO Publishing.