I have been facilitating a book talk on Web Literacy for Educators by Alan November. Our discussions have been very interesting and I think we are all getting a lot out of it as we seek to apply those skills to our classrooms and daily searching habits.  One of the topics that has come up is how to teach critical reading and analysis of web pages.  We want to get beyond simply evaluating web pages for reliability, credibility and relevance and focus on analyzing the ideas and arguments presented in any reading.

So I have begun putting together a workshop series I hope to run in the spring on advanced searching skills and critical reading.  Somethings we will work on are how to identify fact, inference, opinion and bias. I have begun to gather a variety of web resources on Climate Change to use for some of the workshops.  Since climategate, Copenhagen and Cap & Trade are in the news so much lately I thought there would be lots of material available with a wide range of opinion and information.  I am a scientist by training and information junkie in general who loves to dissect an argument.  I like to encourage people to play devil’s advocate and take on both sides of an argument.  Back in the day when we taught debating in school, I did not mine taking on a view contrary to my personal belief. I always found I learned so much more immersing myself in an opposing view.  I don’t think we encourage that as much any more.

Below is a link to the livebinder I am building.  If you know of any climate related websites from all sides of the issue, I should include please let me know. Once I get the workshop outline and materials together I will add it to the binder, at that time I will make it copyable. I hope to get it done over the Christmas holiday.