Post by ck4829 on Feb 16, 2017 14:18:36 GMT
When I mention that I teach middle school, I often get a reaction that seems to pity me, “Oh, you poor thing. I could never do that. How do you handle those kids?”
I’m perplexed by this, as I think middle school is an interesting age.
Students are just starting to really define themselves, and they haven’t yet become so self-conscious that they aren’t open to new things.
It’s also a prime time to give them the tools they need to make their way in the world.
As I sometimes remind them, they will be running the world when I am old and decrepit, so I want to make sure they are equipped to do a good job.
One of the things I teach is argumentation and logic. This past week, I introduced the concept of confirmation bias to them.
It’s amazing to me how many people are unaware it even exists, and even those who are aware of it don’t always check themselves before indulging in it.
Having defined it as “the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one’s existing beliefs or theories,” I then have to point out that it also includes the rejection of new evidence which does not support existing beliefs or theories.
We always have an interesting discussion of how it works.
I only wish we could require people to take a class in logic, including a section on confirmation bias, before allowing them to go forth into social media.
Think of how many baseless “news” reports we could prevent from being spread! All those memes which contain half-truths or out-and-out lies would no longer clog our feed.
More to the point, we could perhaps have a more civil discourse.
Granted, it puts the onus on you, as opposed to the media, but ultimately isn’t that empowering?
The thing that gives me hope in the midst of the chaotic mess our country’s political discussions have become is that while it is easier than ever for misinformation to spread, it is also easier to fact-check and verify.
On April 22, I will be marching in Houston for the March for Science. Why, you may ask, is an English major marching in support of science?
Because I have enjoyed the many benefits of our advances in science — almost every part of my life is better because of work in a scientific field.
Scientists who did not let confirmation bias keep them from exploring new ways to combat disease, to improve technology, to advance everything from agriculture to transportation, have earned from me my eternal gratitude, and for too long we’ve taken them for granted.
It’s not an anti-anything march; it is to support those whose work is often devalued.
I’m happy to be tagged as in favor of fighting confirmation bias, and as someone who knows the importance elf those who do it professionally.
www.parispi.net/opinion/columns/article_8a45820e-f2ce-11e6-8937-230b287e9356.html
I’m perplexed by this, as I think middle school is an interesting age.
Students are just starting to really define themselves, and they haven’t yet become so self-conscious that they aren’t open to new things.
It’s also a prime time to give them the tools they need to make their way in the world.
As I sometimes remind them, they will be running the world when I am old and decrepit, so I want to make sure they are equipped to do a good job.
One of the things I teach is argumentation and logic. This past week, I introduced the concept of confirmation bias to them.
It’s amazing to me how many people are unaware it even exists, and even those who are aware of it don’t always check themselves before indulging in it.
Having defined it as “the tendency to interpret new evidence as confirmation of one’s existing beliefs or theories,” I then have to point out that it also includes the rejection of new evidence which does not support existing beliefs or theories.
We always have an interesting discussion of how it works.
I only wish we could require people to take a class in logic, including a section on confirmation bias, before allowing them to go forth into social media.
Think of how many baseless “news” reports we could prevent from being spread! All those memes which contain half-truths or out-and-out lies would no longer clog our feed.
More to the point, we could perhaps have a more civil discourse.
Granted, it puts the onus on you, as opposed to the media, but ultimately isn’t that empowering?
The thing that gives me hope in the midst of the chaotic mess our country’s political discussions have become is that while it is easier than ever for misinformation to spread, it is also easier to fact-check and verify.
On April 22, I will be marching in Houston for the March for Science. Why, you may ask, is an English major marching in support of science?
Because I have enjoyed the many benefits of our advances in science — almost every part of my life is better because of work in a scientific field.
Scientists who did not let confirmation bias keep them from exploring new ways to combat disease, to improve technology, to advance everything from agriculture to transportation, have earned from me my eternal gratitude, and for too long we’ve taken them for granted.
It’s not an anti-anything march; it is to support those whose work is often devalued.
I’m happy to be tagged as in favor of fighting confirmation bias, and as someone who knows the importance elf those who do it professionally.
www.parispi.net/opinion/columns/article_8a45820e-f2ce-11e6-8937-230b287e9356.html