We need to train children how to think independently and critically,
because this is a survival skill in the Information Age. Such a
training can be introduced early, possibly during kindergarten years
through daily practice with the simple question-and-answer method. Do
not ask children to follow or accept anything blindly and passively.
Instead, encourage them to ask and answer questions about new things and
events they encounter every day. Then allow them to test and see the
result for themselves. In other words, kindle their curiosity, let them
think, explore, get actual experiences, and evaluate the experiences by
themselves under some guidance. In that way they can learn
effectively.
As children grow up, they need to know how
to hone their skills of observation, evaluation and judgment. One of
the best ways to teach children critical thinking during their
elementary years is to ask them to read, and to keep a journal (diary)
to record their feelings and thoughts about what they have just read,
and about their daily life at home and in school. Compare and contrast
what they read with what they observe and experience in real life. That
is a good starting point to develop keen observation, critical
thinking, and also meta-cognition, all of which are essential for
scientific inquiry later on.
Children need
encouragements and feed backs about what they have accomplished.
Therefore, responsible adults (i.e., parents and teachers) should read
the children's journal entries with them, and provide some positive
feed backs and comments. Children need someone to listen to them and to
provide them with guidelines.
In the Information Age,
children need guidelines regarding Internet and information use and
usage. Without responsible adults' guidance, children might become
vulnerable victims of Internet crimes, or unintentionally get confused
about values. They may even get the wrong messages about life values.
Children, therefore, need to be taught information evaluation as early
as first grade, or even earlier. Learning values, life skills, and
information use and evaluation is a must through all school years, and
even beyond.
Most Webpages found from search engines
are self-published with some motives. Even Webpages by well-known
national or international institutions, organizations and government
agencies may have flaws or errors which the organizations, institutions
or agencies might have overlooked. That is why Web users need to
cultivate critical thinking and healthy skepticism.
Besides
knowing your own topic and searching purpose (What information you look
for and why you need it), you may rely on some of the following
evaluation criteria to decide whether or not you should use the
information you found:
1. Authority: What is the original source of information? Who is the author? His/Her credentials? Is s/he an authority on the topic?
2. Currency: When was it first published or last updated?
3.
Reliability and verifiability: Any bibliography, documentation, or
additional links to resources to authenticate the information? Is the
image/the video clip/the sound authentic, or is it manipulated,
distorted intentionally? Photoshop has been doing a marvelous job in
manipulating information.
4. Point of view or bias: What point of view does the author
represent? Conservative or progressive, or affiliated with some advocacy
group? Read between the lines.
5. Appropriateness and Coverage: The scope (breadth and
depth) of the information item, and whether it meets your search
purpose.
Finally, don't hastily share the information
to others without checking it first. It is better to compare, contrast,
and use many sources on the topic before you decide if the information
item you have found meets your information purpose.
Information and technology alone cannot save the world. Only TRUTH and WISDOM can better the world.
Resources:
http://olinuris.library.cornell.edu/ref/research/webeval.html
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/instruct/guides/evaluation.html
http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Evaluate.html
http://www.library.jhu.edu/researchhelp/general/evaluating
