From Climate Reality, a poignant and important PSA about climate denial in schools.
18 November 2011
Linda P.B. Katehi,
I am a junior faculty member at UC Davis. I am an Assistant Professor in the Department of English, and I teach in the Program in Critical Theory and in Science & Technology Studies. I have a strong record of research, teaching, and service. I am currently…
High school and college students may be ‘digital natives,’ but they’re wretched at searching… In 1955, we wondered why Johnny can’t read. Today the question is, why can’t Johnny search?
Who’s to blame? Not the students. If they’re naive at Googling, it’s because the ability to judge information is almost never taught in school. Under 2001’s No Child Left Behind Act, elementary and high schools focus on prepping their pupils for reading and math exams. And by the time kids get to college, professors assume they already have this skill. The buck stops nowhere. This situation is surpassingly ironic, because not only is intelligent search a key to everyday problem-solving, it also offers a golden opportunity to train kids in critical thinking.
New McSweeney’s children’s book uses heat-activated ink to reveal secret images – a brilliant example of making analog books truly interactive experiences.
What an incredible resource. Chip and Dan Heath have put out this wonderfully succinct and inspirational action plan for bringing about change, from the ground up. They’ve taken a wide body of research related to change and successfully synthesized it into a unique, action-friendly language. I can’t wait to test out what I’ve learned here, and sincerely recommend this book to anybody who longs to make an impact in any domain.
