Critical thinking skills

PROJECT BACKGROUND

Today false news stories spread farther, faster, deeper, and more broadly than true news stories. Against this background, the Critical Balance project was initiated to target the need to strengthen and empower young people to become better at identifying conspiracy theories and disinformation.

PROJECT GOALS 

This will be done by supplying youth workers and young adults with a set of tools to enhance critical thinking skills and critical media literacy that will be taught via non-formal, informal methods and an e-learning environment. 

PROJECT OBJECTIVE

The project will supply youth workers with new skills, knowledge and methods on how to work with young people, critical thinking and media literacy connected to conspiracy theories. 

This will done by:

• Mapping of conspiracy theories in Europe related to young people, including

• • a list of prevalent conspiracies in Europe 
  • young people’s media and news usage connected to conspiracy theories and 
  • outlining youth workers' capacity in relation to critical thinking/critical media literacy and conspiracy theories. 

• Publishing an E-Book for youth workers on critical thinking and conspiracy theories. This will be a resource for youth workers in better understanding how conspiracy theories relate to each other and how social media and media consumption interacts with forming opinions. 
• The Toolbox critical thinking and media literacy exercises including 24 interactive exercises for youth workers to implement in their work with young people.
• Developing a Methodological guide for youth workers working with critical thinking and critical media literacy on how to use effectively the activities of the above Toolbox.
• E-platform - a slick educational platform that combines 1, 2 and 3 along with a magazine-style Pop Quiz and using the results to target tailored video responses.