Under the pretext of fake news: teach critical thinking in Italian school starting from Carol C. Kuhlthau

Abstract

Fake news is a hot topic, not only in the professional debate. Among the roles libraries are ready to play there is educating to media literacy, meaning teaching people to think critically when they seek information in the digital space. If it is true that critical thinking is a cross-disciplinary skill, the school – the institution in charge of shaping basic skills – seems to be the ideal place to teach this kind of literacy, along with the other indispensable literacies leading to a self-conscious and active citizenship.
The present paper, after a short definition of the key concepts, relates about an experience led during the first year of secondary school, inspired by Carol C. Kuhlthau’s guided inquiry model and by the concept of ‘third space’, adapted to the specific situation. The synergy with the teachers led to many observations and reflections on what it is necessary to do to to train students to think critically.