Critical Thinking
What is critical thinking?
The ability to analyze and evaluate information before accepting it as true.
What is information literacy?
The ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively.
What does it mean to be media literate?
To understand, analyze, and responsibly use media content.
What are fake news?
Deliberately false or misleading information made to deceive or manipulate.
A stranger sends you a friend request on Facebook. How can you check if the profile is real or fake?
Check the profile age, photos, friends list, and activity history.
Why is it important to evaluate the information we read or hear?
To avoid believing false claims and make informed decisions.
What is the difference between searching for information and evaluating information?
Searching means locating data; evaluating means judging its reliability and quality.
How can media influence our opinions?
Through language choice, emotional tone, images, and selective presentation of facts.
What is the main goal of fake news?
To influence opinions, provoke emotions, or make money through clicks.
What should you be careful about when entering personal data on a shared or public computer?
Do not save passwords, log out after use, and clear browser history.
One sign that a news story may not be reliable is an anonymous source – why does that matter?
Because without knowing the source, we cannot verify if the information is true.
How can you tell if an online source is reliable?
Check the author, publication date, purpose, and whether it’s cited by trusted sources.
Who are influencers and why is it important to analyze their content?
They are opinion leaders who can shape attitudes; their content may be biased or promotional.
What are some warning signs that a news story might be fake?
Sensational headline, anonymous sources, spelling errors, no evidence provided.
You read an online post accusing a kindergarten teacher of wrongdoing. What should you do before sharing it?
Verify the source, check reliable media, and don’t share unconfirmed information.
What is “confirmation bias”?
The tendency to believe only information that supports our existing opinions.
What three questions should you ask when you find information online?
Who wrote it? Why was it published? Can it be verified elsewhere?
What is “clickbait” and how can you recognize it?
A sensational headline designed to attract clicks but often not matching the article’s content.
Why do people sometimes share fake news even if they are false?
Because of emotions, lack of verification, or the desire to share something “interesting.”
You receive an email about a “bank security check.” What should you do?
Do not click links or enter data; check your bank’s official website or contact them directly.
How can you train critical thinking in everyday life using library resources or reading?
By comparing different sources, asking questions, and evaluating evidence instead of opinions.
How can libraries or databases help you find trustworthy information about health, education, or society?
They provide verified, peer-reviewed sources and professional search tools.
How can you check if a photo or video shared on social media is real?
Use reverse image search tools like Google Lens or TinEye.
Name three trustworthy fact-checking websites you can use.
Snopes, FactCheck.org, Reuters Fact Check, AFP Fact Check.
You see breaking news claiming a famous person has died. How can you quickly check if it’s true?
Verify with trusted news outlets (e.g., BBC, Reuters, LSM) or fact-checking websites.