Fake News and Post-Truth: considerations about an extension course for teachers

Abstract

This paper presents the results of a research on post -truth and fake news, whose objective was to conceptually discuss the terms and investigate whether the teachers participating in an extension course had knowledge or skills to identify false information. Post -truth is a neologism that has been defined by some authors as perspectives anchored in situations that ignore facts and can be adopted according to the individual's mode of understanding. Fake news, in turn, is related to post -truth concepts and can be explained as being false information, which also permeates personal choices and decisions. Taking this into consideration, the research began with a review conducted in the database of the Portal de Periodicos da Comissao de Aperfeicoamento de Pessoal de Nivel Superior, to know the publications on the theme. Next, the results of a course developed with teachers who work with educational computing in the early years of elementary school are presented. The results indicated that issues related to the terms post -truth and fake news are still challenging and constitute possibilities that can guide studies of continuing education for teachers, contributing to reflections.