Students in Utah are developing their critical thinking abilities to identify false medical information

Draper, Utah – In order to navigate a sea of false information, students are developing their critical thinking abilities. As part of the News Literacy Project, the Canyons School District has educated over 300 teachers in the information investigators curriculum.

Lacee Kendall, a biology teacher at Corner Canyon High School, stated, “We have a lot of information.” “They have access to information everywhere, and they do.”

In one class, Ms. Kendall guided her students through medical information on the internet. “You are literally entrusting someone with your life when you trust them with your healthcare,” she explained to the participants.

Her students have seen a lot of sources of both positive and negative information because they grew up with access to the internet and social media.

Maddix Gardiner, an honors student in the ninth grade, was questioned about the most strange medical information he had ever come across online. He said he had seen a video that suggested applying mayonnaise to the forehead to treat a headache. Maddix saw right away that the information was untrue. “I go to places I know I can trust because I know that stuff is mostly just for views,” he stated.

Students are taught a skill called lateral reading as part of Ms. Kendall’s course. It involves opening many tabs in a web browser in order to conduct research from a variety of sources. “You can usually tell based on the motive,” Sloan Rowe, an honors student in the ninth grade, said.
“What do they hope to gain from it? You can usually verify that it isn’t factual if it doesn’t appear plausible.

Ms. Kendall is pleased to see that her pupils are analyzing everything they come across online by applying their critical thinking abilities. It’s critical, in my opinion, that kids distinguish between what is and is not trustworthy. Throughout their lives, they may make wise choices,” she stated.

Her pupils have faith in their ability to uncover the truth. “The sheer number of people who genuinely believe this stuff is astounding,” Rowe remarked.