Development and Implementation of a Training to Assess and Improve University Students' Critical Online Reasoning

• In Event: AERA Poster Session 12
  In Poster Session: College Student Learning and Development (Posters): Analyzing the Discourse and Institutional Implementation (San Diego)

Abstract

The Internet has developed into one of the main sources of information among higher education students. However, offering nearly unlimited access to online content, the Internet is riddled with untrustworthy, biased, and erroneous information. Despite the vital importance of the ability to deal with online media in a critical-reflective manner, recent studies have shown a significant deficit in students’ critical online reasoning (COR) skills. Prior approaches to promote these skills are limited. To address this gap, a new web-based training (WBT) aiming at assessing and improving university students’ COR skills has been conceptualized and implemented in a current research project. The theory- and evidence-based developed training conceptualization comprises all stages of critically and effectively solving an Internet-based information problem.

Authors

• Anika Kohmer, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz

• Olga Zlatkin-Troitschanskaia, Johannes Gutenberg University of Mainz