SU-Lao ICI Lab trains youth to fight false information online

The Dr. Mariano Lao Innovation, Creation, and Invention (ICI) Laboratory of Silliman University started training groups of students and youth from Barangay Maloh, Siaton, Negros Oriental in fighting misinformation, disinformation, and mal-information, July 13 until 29, 2022 through a Hybrid-Flexible (HyFlex) event.

The training, titled “Fighting Misinformation, Disinformation, and Mal-information on Social Media,” is part of the Dr. Mariano Lao Free Computer Education Program. Dr. Dave E. Marcial, the Lao ICI Laboratory’s project leader, spearheaded the training.

The training caters to youth from Barangay Maloh, Siaton, Negros Oriental for the face-to-face participants and accepted students for the training’s virtual mode.

The training was conducted in three batches: first on July 13-15, second on July 20-22, and the last batch will be on July 27-29.

For three days, each batch of trainees learned through a HyFlex modality, wherein events are simultaneously done through virtual means and face-to-face.

On the first day, participants learned about social media, including its history and dangers, with Jan Cynth Palama and “Deciphering the ‘Architects of Networked Disinformation'” with Dr. Marcial.

The second day is about “Trolls and Advanced Fake Technologies” with Jade. O Montemayor and “Spotting and Stopping Fake Information” with Asst. Prof. Alfie Q. Arcelo and Assoc. Prof. Janice Antoniette V. Forster.

For the last day of the training, participants learned about “Infographics-making to Fight Misinformation, Disinformation, and Mal-information” with Aurielle Lisa Z. Maypa and action planning with Fredlie P. Bucog, where participants are expected to develop and implement an action plan.

Face-to-face sessions are held at the Dr. Mariano Lao ICI Laboratory. All participants are expected to enroll in the virtual classroom and do assessments and activities with submissions via the virtual classroom.

The Lao ICI Laboratory offers free computer education to students, professionals, and senior citizens and retirees since 2019.

(With reports from the Dr. Mariano Lao ICI Laboratory)