With the spread of the Internet, people are now equally exposed to a vast amount of information. This includes, of course, misinformation and malicious disinformation. In addition, in the past few years, there has been an increase in the amount of information about wars, politics, and other issues that are viewed from completely different perspectives depending on one's position.
Students need to verify information.
Being able to differentiate false information is especially important in schools. Students are accessing the internet for schoolwork more often in recent years. On top of that, active learning and programming education have accelerated the usage of the internet even more.The skill of being able to access correct information is essential, yet it is not under the spotlight nearly as often.
Over 80% of students are unable to verify false information.
We guarantee not a single student will be left bored during Ray’s Blog. It is specially crafted to retain the students attention throughout the whole hour of class to effectively deliver our message
002 ENVIRONMENT
Safe learning environment catered for classrooms.
We care about student safety more than anyone. We would never want the students to access information that may be harmful to them. But at the same time, we want them to access actual information on the internet and equip themselves with practical verification skills. That is why we created our own virtual environment where the teacher will not have to worry whether the student will be accidentally accessing any harmful misinformation.
003 SKILLS
Practical fact-checking skills and critical thinking.
We are a group of professional fact-checkers that battle against the relentless tide of misinformation every single day. We are delivering the most practical fact-checking skills that the students will use in their everyday life to differentiate true and false information. We also use a special three step process, “Doubt, Decipher, Discover” to make sure the students go home with the critical thinking skills to safely access correct information on the internet. We deliver the mindset and the necessary skills to decipher your own truth.
Teaching method of Ray's Blog
001 DOUBT
Don’t just consume the information given to you. Doubt the information given to you, and the information you choose to confuse. Because remember, not everything is as it seems...
002 DECIPHER
Equipped with real fact-checking skills, used daily by professional fact-checkers, find your way through the lies that have been spread by Ray. Simple skills such as finding primary source to advanced skills such as geo-location will be tested.
003 DISCOVER
Uncovering true information will lead you closer and closer to the identity of Ray. Discern truth from falsehood through a variety of media types, including social media to real-life news articles. Can you uncover the true identity of Ray?
Lessons taught in Ray's Blog
Finding primary information.
In fact-checking, the act of "searching" is fundamental. When one comes across an article or post with questionable content, it is important to first search for it using a search engine such as Google and compare it with primary information from credible news organizations and public institutions. At the same time, it is important to pay attention to the "when and by whom" the information was spread and the "citation source" of the information.
Social media awareness.
Social media sites are filled with a lot of false information. According to a study done by the Japanese government, about 30% of all respondents saw fake news on social networking sites and blogs at least once a week. This is why it is easy for misinformation and fake news to spread as well.
Invasion of short-form videos.
Nowadays, short-form video content distributed on TikTok and YouTube has become mainstream among the younger generation. Information that is complex or requires additional context is difficult to convey accurately in a short amount of time, and inaccurate information can easily spread.
Geo-point Location.
Geo-point location is the ability to identify a location from video and images.Such skills can be useful in response to fake images and videos that tend to be spread during times of turmoil, such as war. For example, if an image that has nothing to do with war is spread as an image of war, the information in the image can be used to identify the location, thereby establishing that the information is false.
What is after Ray's Blog?
The Youth Verification Challenge
The Youth Verification Challenge is a dynamic and engaging competition designed for high school and university students. This event aims to hone critical thinking and fact-checking skills among the youth. Participants, grouped into teams, will undergo a series of challenges focused on identifying misinformation and establishing the truth. There is a world tournament this year to test your student’s ability to decipher the true information. This annual tournament will be hosted by Classroom Adventure all over the world to ensure that there is effective and long-lasting learning.
Hosting Ray's Blog in your school
One device, Infinite adventure.
Ray’s Blog can be implemented into your classroom with minimal preparation. All you need is a device, and the eyes to doubt information for the most memorable fact-checking adventure, right in your school classroom. Ray's Blog has been designed specifically for smooth integration and operation in a busy school curriculum. Contact us to see how you can fit Ray's Blog into your school.
In the first hour, the students will participate in playing "Ray's Blog" without the context of fact-checking or deciphering information at all. The students will slowly figure out on their own that their mission is to figure out the true information.
2
30 minutes - Review Lesson
In the review lesson, we will connect the actions you have taken so far in the game to the context of fake news, how to deal with misinformation, and examples of verification to help you realize the social value of the skills you have just acquired.
3
20 minutes - Workshop
In the workshop part, students are asked to participate as a group in an activity where they will actually create a PR post using Instagram. The mission is: "Create a post to sell this pen.” After the creation is complete, the students will be checked to see if they have included false information in their posts in an attempt to sell more pens.
Who runs Ray's Blog?
FOUNDING TEAM
We are an organization run by university students at Keio University who are passionate about the gamification of education and are at the forefront of information verification. We fight misinformation daily with articles and videos at the Japan Fact-check Center, the largest fact-checking organization in Japan.
Noa Horiguchi was born and raised in the USA for 18 years, before moving to Japan. Notably, he ranked 1st in the Youth Verification Challenge in Japan and placed 4th globally. Noa currently interns at Japan Fact-check Center where he ardently combats the spread of misinformation. He has also founded "Classroom Adventure", a revolutionary initiative that transforms classrooms into a place for adventure, educating teens on misinformation in a completely new approach. At the heart of Noa's work is a profound passion: teaching the next generation the importance of questioning information and instilling them with the nessessary skills to independently uncover the truth.
NOA HORIGUCHI
Co-founder / Keio University 3rd Year
・Intern at the Japan Fact-check Center ・Google Youth Verification Challenge2022 Japan ・National TeamLiT! Programming School Mentor
Hinata Furukata, a prodigious talent from Japan, has soared to impressive heights as the National Champion and a formidable 4th place contender at the World Championship in the Youth Verification Challenge, proudly hosted by the Google News Initiative in 2022. This prestigious accolade fueled his fascination with fact-checking, leading to the inception of 'Classroom Adventure'—his groundbreaking initiative which aims to empower future generations with the skills of fact-checking in a new innovative approach. As its founder, Hinata is driven by a commitment to develop content that not only enlightens but also inspires young minds in middle and high school, fostering a new generation of critical thinkers and truth-seekers.
HINATA FURUKATA
Co-founder / Keio University 3rd Year
・Intern at the Japan Fact-check Center ・Google Youth Verification Challenge2022 Japan ・Editor of a YouTube Channel with 200k+ Subscribers
Born amidst the vibrant culture of Japan in 2001, Zentaro Imai embarked on a life-changing journey to Canada shortly after his middle school graduation. It was in the diverse and inclusive atmosphere of Canada where he discovered his passion for education—a seed planted while interning at an elementary school. This experience was the catalyst for his visionary venture, YOMY!, an innovative online storytelling service that captivates and educates children aged 3 to 8. Currently, Zentaro is nurturing his academic and entrepreneurial aspirations at Keio University's esteemed Faculty of Policy Management, shaping the future of educational technology.
ZENTARO IMAI
Co-founder / Keio University 3rd Year
・Intern at the Japan Fact-check Center ・株式会社 YOMY! COO ・Tokyo University Matsuo Lab
Ray's Blog is supported by
We have hosted Ray's Blog for every age group.
Middle School
Age 12-15
Ray's Blog was held at Tosajuku Junior & Senior High School in Kochi Prefecture for approximately 60 students in the middle school exploration course with the package that included two periods of games, a lesson, and a workshop all in one.
Exploration Course Representative
Mr. Wada
It was easy to understand because they explained what it meant after the game. I felt more urgency knowing that I can easily make fakes by myself.
High School
Age 15-18
Kosei Gakuen held Ray’s Blog for first-year high school students participating in the Entrepreneur Program in the Global Course. The two-hour package included games, lessons, and workshops.
Kosei Gakuen Global Course Teacher
Mr. Kitano
The students were very absorbed by the game. Since the game uses tools that are familiar to the students, it gives them a sense of realism.
University
Age 18-22
Mejiro University hosted Ray's blog for students in the School of Media Studies.We held the event as a package that included a game and a reflection lesson in one 90-minute session.
Dean at the School of Media Studies
Prof. Mikami
The basis of journalism is fact checking. I thought it was very interesting to learn through actively fact-checking, and cooperating with others.
Language School
Age 18+
Shibuya Gaigo Gakuin hosted Ray’s Blog in the most challenging "Super Level course”. We delivered a fresh experience that is not often found in classes, where students can use Japanese they learn in a game format.
Super Level Course Teacher
Mrs. Kobayashi
Since they are foreigners and in Japan, misinformation is a threat and with fraud being a problem, a program like this is a great way to learn Japanese and media literacy together.
Professional Testimony of Ray's Blog
Daisuke Furuta
Editor-in-Chief at Japan Fact-check Center Former Editor-in-Chief at Buzzfeed Japan
The content provides deep understanding of when to use certain skills as well as give the students confidence to find misinformation on their own.
Prof. Masato Kajimoto
Professor of Journalism at Hong Kong University Editor-in-Chief at Annie Lab
The foundational fact-checking skills you get from playing this game are very important. Frankly, I think it is more fun than my own lectures.
A world where everyone is able to decipher their own truth.
Our vision is to create a future where people are not deceived by misinformation. That future will not come simply from being told the "truth" by fact-checking organizations. Misinformation can only be solved when all people are able to discern the truth for themselves.
Won't you join us in creating a future where we are free from misinformation?
Ray's Blog is an educational game developed to teach essential fact-checking skills. It's a project initiated by a team of fact-checkers from the Japan Fact-Check Center, designed to combat misinformation. The game is primarily aimed at middle and high school students and integrates into school curriculums.
How is Ray's Blog conducted?
Ray's Blog can be hosted both offline and online. However, we recommend offline sessions as they offer direct guidance from our mentors. This interactive approach enhances the learning experience.
What is the duration of the game?
The game is flexible in terms of timing, typically lasting about an hour. We offer two packages: a one-hour game-only session and a two-hour session that includes the game plus a lesson and workshop on fact-checking.
What is the story behind Ray's Blog?
Set in a Japanese middle school, players receive an envelope from "Ray" leading them to a blog filled with false information. Through the game, participants use their phones to search the internet, uncovering accurate information and gradually revealing Ray's true identity.
Who operates Ray's Blog?
Ray's Blog is operated by Classroom Adventure, founded by a team of fact-checkers working at the Japan Fact-Check Center. [More details here] Our team includes award-winning fact-checkers, two of whom work at the Japan Fact-Check Center. Recognizing the overwhelming amount of misinformation, we created Ray's Blog to empower individuals to fact-check independently.
What is our goal?
We aim to introduce Ray's Blog in schools globally, recognizing the widespread issue of misinformation. Besides educational settings, we also envision Ray's Blog as a standalone event internationally, replicating the success we've had in Japan.
How can schools or organizations participate?
Schools or organizations interested in hosting Ray's Blog can contact us through our website. We provide all necessary materials and support for a successful event.
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