My 8-year-old daughter recently became frustrated as she struggled with an assignment that asked her to memorize the location and spelling of all 50 states.
Why do I even need to memorize this? she complained. I can just Google the location and spelling of any state whenever I need it.
I paused for a moment, not entirely sure how to answer the question. She was right. She could Google this information; but there is a greater value to knowing the whereabouts of Americas 50 states. Would she know, instinctively, when it was worth the effort to Google something like the location of a state?
I replied, Anna, what if someone told you that Montana was located next to North Dakota. Would you believe them and simply take what they were saying as truth? Are you going to Google (i.e., doubt) anything anyone ever says to you?
She stared back at me, understanding that relying on Google to determine all facts from fiction quickly goes awry. Google is useful for some things, but isnt practical for all matters.
The question of course goes deeper than something as simple and easily answerable as geography. It becomes much trickier when we are asked to discern real from fake in areas as fuzzy as public sentiment, portrayals of historical events, and conclusions reached by a confluence of research studies.
iStock from Getty Images
How do I help my daughter to ask meaningful questions, seek multiple sources of truth, and acknowledge the real answer, ambiguous as it may be?
I suppose the conundrum is better phrased this way: How will my daughter know when a simple Google search is sufficient? When will she need to seek multiple sources and doubt even her own understanding?
At Yale University, my undergraduate alma mater, there was a popular slogan that read, Yale doesnt teach you what to think; Yale teaches you how to think.
That premise is critical in todays media environment, because rather than accepting what we are told, we need to teach our children to think critically about how to process the information that they hear.
Early Foundations of Knowledge
If we prioritize our childrens ability think critically, then we need to embed the proper building blocks in their earliest education. While they may seem pass and pedestrian, the basics of literacy and memorization are as paramount as ever.
At Istation, the education technology company where I work, we believe that the fundamentals of critical thinking begin with literacy. With the foundations of reading comes logic, memorization, conceptual thinking, and imagination.
UNESCO writes in its Education for All Global Monitoring Report, it is widely reckoned that, in modern societies, literacy skills are fundamental to informed decision-making, personal empowerment, active and passive participation in local and global social community (Stromquist, 2005, p. 12).
Alongside literacy come the basics of memorization. Memorizing the location of all 50 states may not count as true critical thinking, but it forms a building block of knowledge that allows far more challenging questions to be asked. Even the skill of memorization frees up other parts of the brain for more advanced processing.
The Guardian suggests that memorising facts and lists can build the foundations for higher thinking and problem solving. Effectively, we can draw on what we have memorized to create and grapple with more complex topics. For example, my daughter can use her knowledge of the geographical location of the states to begin to estimate if it would take longer to drive from Dallas, Texas, to Denver, Colorado, or to Portland, Maine.
Once one can read and retain knowledge, one begins to gain the skill of writing. Writing allows a person to express her own thoughts on a topic. We become more than just consumers of information; we become organizers of thoughts and ideas. If our writing resonates with others, we gain the important skill of influence.
iStock by Getty Images
For my 8-year-old, most truths remain simple. Eight times eight is 64, and Austin is the state capital of Texas.
As adults, real meaning and authentic truth become much more challenging to discern. What I hope for my daughter and for our nations children is that they learn how to think critically about the information that is given to them; that they understand the limitations of Google; and that they can embrace a narrative that is not one-sided but multi-dimensional.
In our family, we fully embrace the basics of reading and memorization. We read not just from one author, or one publication, or one geography, but try to embrace both our historical narratives and current events through the lens of multiple sources.
For my daughter, I will continue to encourage what may seem like basic skills of reading and memorization. It is not that I want or expect her to consider that a complete education; quite to the contrary: it is through the building blocks of reading and memorization that we begin to be able to question greater truths, recognize inconsistencies, compare disparate ideas and pursue deeper meaning.
Follow this link:
Teaching Our Kids Real from Fake - Huffington Post
- Empowering Women - Self Empowerment, Personal & Spiritual ... [Last Updated On: March 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 25th, 2016]
- Leadership Skills for Nurse Managers: Personal Empowerment [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- Empowering Women - Self Empowerment, Personal & Spiritual ... [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- Life Coaching for Personal and Professional Empowerment [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- Empowerment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- Counselling and Hypnotherapy in ... - Personal Empowerment [Last Updated On: March 26th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 26th, 2016]
- Personal Empowerment Group . com - Empowering You [Last Updated On: March 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 27th, 2016]
- Personal Empowerment Programs - Empowerment Institute [Last Updated On: March 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: March 28th, 2016]
- Series On Personal Empowerment at Psychology, Philosophy ... [Last Updated On: June 12th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 12th, 2016]
- The Secrets of Personal Empowerment [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Personal Empowerment Solutions.com | All about Personal ... [Last Updated On: June 19th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 19th, 2016]
- Personal Empowerment Solutions.com | All about Personal ... [Last Updated On: June 28th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 28th, 2016]
- The Meaning of Empowerment - Powerful Information [Last Updated On: July 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 21st, 2016]
- Mental Health Counseling, Personal Empowerment | Kansas ... [Last Updated On: August 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 29th, 2016]
- Self Empowerment Appears Fundamental For Personal Development [Last Updated On: September 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 6th, 2016]
- Minds Of Power: What Is Personal Empowerment? [Last Updated On: October 27th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 27th, 2016]
- Authentic Empowerment - Personal and Professional Life ... [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Personal Empowerment Coach Certification - The S.W.A.T ... [Last Updated On: November 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 21st, 2016]
- Bodies of Empowerment Personal Training [Last Updated On: November 29th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2016]
- Charlotte Kasl [Last Updated On: December 9th, 2016] [Originally Added On: December 9th, 2016]
- Empowerment and Strengths-Based Perspective: Social Work [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- Empowerment Theory - Springer [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- Top 100 Womens Empowerment Blogs | Psychology of Eating [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- radKIDS.org - The national leader in children's safety [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- Personal Empowerment Program : World Youth [Last Updated On: January 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: January 8th, 2017]
- 'This is a phase of empowerment' - The Hindu [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- 'Pink' actress joins campaign for women empowerment - The New Indian Express [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- GHCM's new MD on the importance of mentorship, youth empowerment - Bizcommunity.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- 8 Steps to Personal Empowerment - Entrepreneur [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Making Sure Our Longer Lives Are Healthy Ones - Next Avenue [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Teachers ruling a stark reminder - Coast Reporter - Coast Reporter [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- UMass Amherst Celebrates Black Heritage Month - UMass News and Media Relations [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Help yourself, Feb. 8 | Town Crier | trib.com - Casper Star-Tribune Online [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Discover meaning at the Festival of Faiths, April 19 24 - Insider Louisville [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Another Voice: Land trust will empower Fruit Belt residents - Buffalo News [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Town Crier: Help Yourself - Casper Star-Tribune Online [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Boston's Office of Financial Empowerment Wants to Spread the Wealth - Next City [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- WE Are Women's Philanthropy - Jewish Exponent [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Genki Spark shines light on female empowerment through taiko - Daily Free Press (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Empowering the Data Subject Manila Bulletin Business - Manila Bulletin [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- The Problem With A 'Shoppable' Presidency - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- The Ripple - Olney Daily Mail [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Fire service receives funding to deliver 'personal development ... - Wiltshire Times [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Northwest Credit Union Foundation partners with BALANCE to provide personal finance training to MESA participants - CUinsight.com (press release) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Bells University, New Horizons sign MoU On ICT empowerment for students - NIGERIAN TRIBUNE (press release) (blog) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Mastering Trump's mastermind: Sebastian Gorka and the struggle between Islam and the West - EUROPP - European Politics and Policy (blog) [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Springs School News, February 16 - Springs - 27east - 27east.com [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- 5 Steps To Validate Your Business Idea Before Getting Started - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 14th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 14th, 2017]
- Milk Makeup Is Celebrating Its Anniversary With A New Campaign - NYLON [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 2017 Chicago Women's Conference & Expo Coming to South Suburban College on March 17th - eNews Park Forest [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Melinda Gates Credits Contraception With Her Personal and Professional Success - Slate Magazine (blog) [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- REBELLIOUS COACHING - Personal Empowerment Coaching [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Personal Empowerment | SkillsYouNeed [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- 4 Low-Cost Benefits That Majorly Boost Employee Healthiness - Tech.Co [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Shamanic Healer Anahata Ananda Shares Benefits of Breathwork for Healing Trauma and Planting Roots of Strength ... - Benzinga [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Ajit Pai's digital empowerment agenda is good news for rural America - The Hill (blog) [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- The truth about Ivanka's Trumped-up, me-first feminism - Macleans.ca [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Transformation of South Africa needs high sense of consciousness for social justice for success - Thought Leader [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Pink Gloves Boxing: Women's class focuses on empowerment ... - The Missoulian [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Shaking The Fear Of Breastfeeding In Public | The Huffington Post - Huffington Post UK [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- OUR VIEW: On Presidents Day, we celebrate the good ones - East Oregonian (subscription) [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Impact 100 members tour remodeled STEP Training Center - TCPalm [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Bloomfield Company Uses Disney Princesses To Promote Female Empowerment - Patch.com [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Sri Sri Ravi Shankar conducts DSN Prog online - Daily Excelsior [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Viewpoints: The case for expanding Empowerment Scholarship Accounts - AZCentral.com [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Apple Music just released an album made on an iPhone ... - Computerworld [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- Pushing past barriers: Program aims to foster empowering female relationships - Grand Forks Herald [Last Updated On: February 25th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 25th, 2017]
- MILCK comes to Portland this week to emPOWer - Oregon Music News [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Sippican to Implement 'radKIDS' Defense Program - Wanderer [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Personal trainer focuses on client empowerment - Clearfield Progress [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Black History Month: Recovering Our Personal Narrative - Muslim Link [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Judge Holds NYPD's Feet to Fire on Press Credentials - Courthouse ... - Courthouse News Service [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Realizing Economic Empowerment For All Americans - Huffington Post [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Black Women Aren't Having Enough Orgasms And Their Careers Are To Blame Says Author - MadameNoire [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- This women's sport you've never heard of is taking Israel by storm - Jewish Telegraphic Agency [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Port Hope girls learn empowerment - Northumberland Today [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Federal Judge Says NYC's Regulation Of The Press Will Go On Trial - Village Voice [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Consult a psychic - for empowerment - Philly.com [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Digital Inclusion Summit: Training, Partnerships Are Key - Rivard Report [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- The Jamaican Women of Florida, Inc. (JWOF) elected a new Board of Directors - Jamaicans.com [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]