Forming Opinions in the Age of Disinformation

Course content

What can I expect from this course?

The course consists of three units, each requiring approximately 7–8 hours to complete. 

Key topics:

Unit 1: Opinion & Information Literacy Information Literacy
Introduction to information literacy, key definitions and distinctions (disinformation, misinformation, and malinformation), the intentions behind disinformation, as well as algorithms and filter bubbles.

Unit 2: Fact-Checking & Information Evaluation
Methods and tools for verifying facts and sources, fact-checking vs. trust-checking, AI-driven desinformation

Unit 3: Self-Assessment & Reflection
Reflection and self-awareness, values and value conflicts, and one's own process of forming opinions.

Learning goals

What will I be able to do after completing this course?

By the end of this course, you will be able to:

• distinguish between different forms of false or misleading information.
• critically reflect on your own information and media consumption.
• deal with disinformation in a strategic and informed way.
• develop a reflective and questioning approach to media content.

Prerequisites

What prior knowledge do I need to take this course?

This MOOC is designed for anyone who wants to learn more about this important topic and strengthen their information literacy.

No prior knowledge or specific prerequisites are required to participate in this course.

Course schedule

How is the course structured?

The course consists of three units and corresponds to a workload of 1 ECTS credit. Each unit follows a clear structure, including a brief introduction to the topic, key content sections, a self-study component, and a self-assessment at the end to help you evaluate your understanding.

The course is asynchronous and self-paced, offering maximum flexibility in how and when you choose to complete it.

Will I receive a certificate?

Upon active participation and successful completion of the course, an automated certificate will be issued. This certificate includes your username, the course title, and the completed lessons. Please note that this certificate serves as a confirmation of participation. It indicates that the participant has correctly answered at least 75% of the checkpoints (self-assessment questions).

This work by MCI Management Center Innsbruck Internationale Hochschule GmbH is licenced under CC BY 4.0.

Additional content

FAQs

What is the best way to approach this course?
This MOOC is designed for self-study, meaning it is completely independent of time and location. You can learn according to your own preferences and at your own pace. You can go through the content as often as you like—for example, to take notes, focus on topics that interest you most, or reinforce your learning by reviewing the material more than once.

Will I receive a certificate after completing the course?
Yes. Once you have successfully completed each checkpoint with at least 75%, you will be eligible to take the final test at the end of the course. If you achieve at least 75% on the final test as well, an automatic certificate will be issued to you upon completion.