Friday, September 4, 2026

9:10 AM - 9:40 AM

Courtyard Room

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Overview

The development of critical thinking is an essential civic skill, particularly in a ‘post-truth’ information age shaped by the effects of AI, algorithmically shared content, fake news and other forms of mis- and disinformation. School libraries play a pivotal role in this work as educators are often uncertain about how to define, teach, and assess critical thinking in a consistent and practical way. The definition of a skill is essential in order for anyone to confidently teach, assess or develop resources related to that skill. In this session, ACER researchers, Claire Scoular and Jonathan Heard will introduce existing theory and research to articulate the core components of critical thinking, and address challenges associated with teaching and assessing critical thinking. They unpack how students construct knowledge, evaluate ideas, and make reasoned decisions - skills that school library staff will readily recognise as fundamental to inquiry, information literacy, and ethical participation in digital environments. Participants will leave with practical insights and strategies to strengthen critical thinking capabilities in their own school communities.

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Speaker