What’s Really Real: Teaching Critical Inquiry Through the History of Synthetic Media

In an era of deepfakes and generative AI, the question of “what’s real” has never felt more urgent. But as it turns out, we’ve been grappling with synthetic media for much longer than you might think.

A bright, modern gallery space with wooden pillars and brick accents, featuring an exhibit on the history of synthetic media. In the foreground, a vintage wooden stereoscope and antique cameras sit on a curved white display table alongside black-and-white "spirit photography" from the 19th century. In the background, a large digital screen shows a modern AI-generated face transition, while several people—including a man in a blazer and students—stand nearby, looking at the displays and discussing the evolution of image manipulation.

The University Library is inviting the W&L community to join a special webinar hosted by the Virginia chapter of the Association of College and Research Libraries (VLACRL). This session offers a deep dive into the evolution of “fake” media and provides practical strategies for teaching students how to navigate it.

“What’s Really Real: Strategies for Teaching Critical Inquiry through the History of Synthetic Media”

When: Tuesday, March 17, 2026
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
Where: Join via Zoom or attend the public screening in the Leyburn Library Gallery.

Why Attend?

The presenter, Oscar Keyes (Multimedia Teaching & Learning Librarian at VCU), specializes in the intersection of creative technologies and pedagogy. His approach moves beyond just “identifying AI” and looks at the broader history of how we’ve always used technology to alter reality—from 19th-century spirit photography to modern-day generative models.

What will be covered:

Historical Parallels: Understanding how previous “emerging technologies” (like the first cameras) challenged our sense of truth.
Classroom-Tested Activities: Strategies designed to deepen student understanding of how synthetic images are created.
Verification Skills: Practical methods for effectively verifying the authenticity of digital media in a classroom setting.

How to Participate

You have two options for joining the conversation on March 17:

Join the Public Screening: The Library has reserved the Gallery in Leyburn Library for a public showing at 11:00 AM. This is a great opportunity to attend with colleagues and engage in the discussion in person.
Join Virtually: If you can’t make it to Leyburn, you can register to attend virtually via Zoom.

Note: If you cannot attend live but are interested in the content, please register anyway to receive a link to the recording after the event.