Overview
Lesson 4.2 Discussion: Real, Fake, or Misleading? You Decide.
In this lesson, you learned that images can be AI-generated (deepfakes), edited, or real but miscaptioned, and that you can't always tell just by looking. Now it's your turn to put your skills to the test.
NOTE: You are graded on your reasoning and use of strategies, not on whether your conclusion is “correct.” Lesson 4.2 Discussion: Real, Fake, or Misleading? You Decide.In this lesson, you learned that images can be AI-generated (deepfakes), edited, or real but miscaptioned, and that you can't always tell just by looking. Now it's your turn to put your skills to the test.
NOTE: You are graded on your reasoning and use of strategies, not on whether your conclusion is “correct.”
Your Post
Select one of the six images provided and analyze it using the strategies from Lesson 4.2. In your post, you must:
- Identify your image — State which image number you chose.
- State your conclusion — Is the image (a) AI-generated/fake, (b) real and unaltered but miscaptioned or taken out of context, (c) real but digitally altered or manipulated, or (d) real and accurately captioned?
- Walk through your analysis — Explain how you reached your conclusion. You should address at least two of the following strategies:
- Visual indicators (e.g., unnatural lighting, distorted features, background glitches)
- Reverse image search findings (note what you searched, what you found, and where)
- Fact-checking sources (e.g., Snopes, AP Fact Check, Reuters Fact Check) — include links
- Application of the SIFT method (Stop, Investigate, Find other coverage, Trace claims)
- Reflect — Was this image easy or difficult to evaluate? What made it challenging or straightforward?
- Opinion - When might image manipulation or AI-generated images be acceptable or even helpful? When do you think it becomes misleading or harmful?
Image #1 Download Image #1 | Image #2 Download Image #2 | Image #3 Download Image #3| Image #4 Download Image #4| Image #5 Download Image #5 | Image #6Download Image #6
Your Reply
Respond to at least one classmate. Your reply must do more than just agree or disagree: it should add substance. You might:
- Confirm their conclusion with additional evidence they didn't mention
- Respectfully challenge their conclusion and explain why, with support
- Point out a strategy or source they could have used that might strengthen or change their analysis
Replies that only say "I agree" or "Great post!" will not receive credit.
Your Post
Select one of the six images provided and analyze it using the strategies from Lesson 4.2. In your post, you must:
- Identify your image — State which image number you chose.
- State your conclusion — Is the image (a) AI-generated/fake, (b) real and unaltered but miscaptioned or taken out of context, (c) real but digitally altered or manipulated, or (d) real and accurately captioned?
- Walk through your analysis — Explain how you reached your conclusion. You should address at least two of the following strategies:
- Visual indicators (e.g., unnatural lighting, distorted features, background glitches)
- Reverse image search findings (note what you searched, what you found, and where)
- Fact-checking sources (e.g., Snopes, AP Fact Check, Reuters Fact Check) — include links
- Application of the SIFT method (Stop, Investigate, Find other coverage, Trace claims)
- Reflect — Was this image easy or difficult to evaluate? What made it challenging or straightforward?
- Opinion - When might image manipulation or AI-generated images be acceptable or even helpful? When do you think it becomes misleading or harmful?
Image #1 Download Image #1 | Image #2 Download Image #2 | Image #3 Download Image #3| Image #4 Download Image #4| Image #5 Download Image #5 | Image #6Download Image #6
Your Reply
Respond to at least one classmate. Your reply must do more than just agree or disagree: it should add substance. You might:
- Confirm their conclusion with additional evidence they didn't mention
- Respectfully challenge their conclusion and explain why, with support
- Point out a strategy or source they could have used that might strengthen or change their analysis
Replies that only say "I agree" or "Great post!" will not receive credit.