Children will be taught how to spot extremist content and misinformation online under planned changes to the school curriculum, the education secretary said.

Bridget Phillipson said she was launching a review of the curriculum in primary and secondary schools to embed critical thinking across multiple subjects and arm children against “putrid conspiracy theories”.

One example may include pupils analysing newspaper articles in English lessons in a way that would help differentiate fabricated stories from true reporting.

In computer lessons, they could be taught how to spot fake news websites by their design, and maths lessons may include analysing statistics in context.

  • fine_sandy_bottom@lemmy.federate.cc
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    1 month ago

    “Critical thinking” was a buzzword when I was at school in the 80s.

    Memorisation is a component of learning, but the vast majority of any learning I’ve done has been understanding.

    Certainly children need to learn to be skeptical, but I hope we can do better than showing them biased articles from newspapers.

    • Mothra@mander.xyz
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      1 month ago

      Is it a buzzword though? I always took it as the ability to understand AND question in order to prove/disprove/ build upon said understanding.

      • FarraigePlaisteach@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        1 month ago

        I think they mean that it was a buzzword because although it was mentioned, it wasn’t a substantial part of state education at the time. They’re saying that it “was” a buzzword, rather than that it is one.

    • whoisearth@lemmy.ca
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      edit-2
      1 month ago

      The difference between intelligence and wisdom. We have been prioritizing the former at the detriment of the latter.

      This is how you end up with people like Elon Musk who I will give the benefit of the doubt and say he isn’t dumb, but Christ he’s a moron.

      • wewbull@feddit.uk
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        1 month ago

        I’m not sure you mean intelligence and wisdom.

        Intelligence is the capability to apply your brain to problems. Wisdom is the lessons you learn through experience.

        Maybe “knowledge Vs wisdom” is a better way of putting it.