Week 8

Critical Thinking and Information Literacy

"It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it." - Aristotle

"Do not go where the path may lead; go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking Quotes Read carefully.

Characteristics of Critical Thinkers Read carefully.

Mistakes to Avoid Read carefully.

Critical Thinking Guidelines Read carefully.

Evaluating What You Read Read carefully.

What Is Critical Thinking? Read carefully.

Setting Criteria for Critical Thinking Read carefully.

Example of Fallacious Thinking

Strategies for Critical Thinking Read carefully.

Distorting Reality

Out of Control Yet another example of the need for critical thinking

Self-Deception Read carefully.

Checklist

How to Ask a Question Read carefully.

Debunking: The Ramifications of Critical Thinking

Alternative News Sources Much of your thinking comes from the news sources you access. Regular commercial TV and radio, for example, promotes commercialism, consumerism, and fear. Having access to "alternative" news sources helps you to debunk corporate dogma. Try some of these out. I particularly recommend AlterNet and the Global Report (which is also a weekly TV news report on Free Speech TV). Another good way to receive unique viewpoints is to peruse news sources from foreign countries. They give different views on world affairs and often report American news not reported in American media.

Information Literacy

Information literacy is a set of abilities requiring individuals to "recognize when information is needed and have the ability to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information." (American Library Association)

Re-read the definition of information literacy again. It is a concept which is central to helping people in a library and in society. Read the following links carefully:

Information Literacy Best Practices

The Case for Information Literacy Classes Read carefully.

Quiz

Once you have completed all the readings for this week, please return to Canvas, click on the quiz link, and take the quiz. If you are not satisfied with your score, take the quiz over again. This can be done multiple times.

Once you have taken the quiz and achieved a grade with which you are satisfied, return to Canvas and address the Discussions topic for the week.

Colby Glass, MLIS