Källkritik, hur gör man: om lärares syn på källkritik i undervisningen.

Abstract

The aim of this Master’s thesis is to examine and understand how teachers of younger children view the concept of critical evaluation of information and how their interpretations of the concept relate to their teaching. The need for the development of children’s ability to critically evaluate has been emphasized through research as well as the need for collaboration between teachers and librarians in order to help pupil’s process information into knowledge The study has a socio-cultural perspective and the material was collected through observations and qualitative interviews with teachers. The results of the study indicate that many teachers experience uncertainty when it comes to the area of critical evaluation and that they do not teach the subject to any substantial extent. Although there is a new curriculum which clearly raises the question, the issue of critical evaluation is paid comparatively little attention by the teachers. There are, however, teachers who express an interest in the subject. Generally, the teachers think of the critical evaluation of a source as a way to decide what to believe, but other aspects can be distinguished. Some speak about critical evaluation as attitude towards information. A potential way of incorporating critical evaluation into teaching is, according to the teachers, to have a continuing dialogue around the subject with the children. It is likely that teachers need further education within the area of critical evaluation in order for a method development to take place.