Local Technology Instructor Gave Seniors a “Fake News 101” via Webinar

St. John’s held the second virtual webinar of the return of its popular Technology Tuesdays Series on Tuesday, March 23.  The topic was Fake News and How to Spot It as part of the series theme of Digital Media Madness. Fifty-two seniors were interested in hearing from local technology instructor Daniel Jones about how to be better consumers of information in this digital age.

Ensuring everyone was operating from the same base of knowledge, Jones began with a definition of  terms like fact, opinion, disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation. The historical origins of fake news and a big contributor to the phenomenon, circular reporting, was also discussed.

While human nature’s impatience and “need to know now” temperament was also cited by Jones as a contributor to our falling victim to “fake news,” being an educated consumer of information was identified as the best defense. Among the most pertinent content provided in this area was “Five Ways to Spot Fake News,” with easily identifiable triggers noted that any purveyor of information could use as a guide.

Also helpful were the listed fact checking sites that people could use to evaluate information in terms of the level of fact or opinion and degree of accuracy. Notable among those were Washington Post’s Pinocchio Fact Checker, Politifact.com, and Snopes.com.

Sharing this type of instruction with seniors is nothing new to instructor Daniel Jones. Jones is an independent consultant/instructor based in Rochester, NY,  who provides both private in-home one-on-one instruction, as well as small-size courses and seminars at various community centers, independent living and assisted living communities. Jones has developed computer, internet and digital technology programs for Lifespan’s Lily Café and Senior Options For Independence (SOFI) at Fairport Baptist Homes. He has also taught courses and seminars through Lifespan, Valley Manor, Oasis Institute, Crimson Ridge Meadows, The Summit at Brighton, Baywinde, Eastside YMCA, Perinton Community Center, and The Highlands At Pittsford.

St. John’s is pleased to have brought Jones back in, not only for this webinar series, but he also serves as an instructor for our senior residents at St. John’s Meadows and Bricktsone by St. John’s, both for individual lessons and large group events.

If you would like to get a leg up on your technology skills, there is still time to register for the final webinar in our Technology Tuesdays Series – Digital Media Madness. Click here to register before Tuesday, March 30.