Critical thinking and social media

Choose the best answer.” I have nothing against standardized testing. But let us be careful in using it as the main basis in determining the literacy of a learner or the rank of a country in relation to student performance. Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences is valid enough as an argument: learning styles— and other socioeconomic factors—can influence the result of a test. And a general assessment of competence based on a standardized test may not be a valid ground in criticizing the lack of foundation of Filipino students.

“The answers have changed.”

Allow me to share this anecdote about Einstein f rom Michael Nicholas:

The story goes t hat, while administering a 2nd year exam at Princeton University, his teaching assistant noted that Einstein had set the same paper as the previous year. Dr. Einstein, he asked, “Isn’t this the same exam you gave this class last year?”

Einstein paused, then replied, “Yes, it is.”

Puzzled, the assistant enquired, “Why would you give the same exam two years in a row?”

“Because,” Einstein replied, “the answers have changed”.

This story also reminded me about my law professor who was well- versed in labor disputes. He would encourage and challenge us to study diligently and have a keen eye for detail: for the facts may be the same, but the merits of the case and the application of the law may differ depending on the lawyer’s ability in prosecuting or defending the case.

This would mean that the same ingredients may end up with different flavors depending on the chef ’ s preference—or that of the customer. Question: Who is accountable for the Ungka Flyover fiasco? Answer: Undersecretary Roberto R. Bernardo said they are, at the moment, f ocused on applying engineering interventions and not on looking for who to blame.

Here was the reply of a public official who pretended to sound reasonable; and indirectly telling the Ilonggos not to pester them of such a question for they are busy finding solutions. Although the amount has now ballooned to almost 1B pesos, we are being told to be patient. In a sunny weather, the dust whirls around the commuters. When it rains, vehicles surf the area. But still, we are told to be patient. Our patience is now worth 1 billion pesos—and counting.

Surprisingly, the Ilonggos are getting tired of waiting, getting tired of complaining and asking for explanations— hanggang memes na lang kami. It is understandable. We can only do so much. We cannot go to rallies and protest that often in the street because we also have work to do. It is now up to our public officials to do their job, to fulfill their oath, to put into action their campaign promises.

In fairness to the (DPWH) public officials “concerned”, and as part of the due process—and maybe just to give them the benefit of the doubt— their side of the story must be heard and indeed, their “focused” interventions are laudable. But eventually, someone must be held liable.

I am taking note of this issue to emphasize the importance of critical thinking as a classroom activity. I have noticed that students are prone to read only what is posted in social media and do not know how to look for the needle in the haystack, so to speak. Not only that social media posts are filled with misleading information, the students themselves do not like reading long articles that comprehensively discuss pressing issues. Learning opportunities at home

Parents would often ask how they can make their children love learning—which can then blossom into critical thinking. Here is one suggestion:

Parents must assign a learning space—and time—at home. This has to be a place where there are no distractions. It could be a quiet

sala or a small library. The learning area must be an essential part of the house.

IN CONCLUSION, the learning challenges of the youth of today have changed. For at any age, at any time, they can gain access to any information or video that can distort their thinking. Others become depressed for trivial reasons; some begin to question their faith; there are those who just wanted to be isolated. There are now kids or even college students who do not know how to have a normal face to face conversation; they got so comfortable using their gadgets in socializing that they end up lacking in people skills.

*To learn more about this issue, I highly recommend this book:

Growing Up Wired: Raising Kids in the Digital Age by Queena N. Lee-Chua, Michelle S. Alignay, and Nerisa C. Fernandez/