Education / Educational sciences / Pedagogy Books

Book SynopsisToday’s instantaneous and ever-present news stream frequently presents a sensationalized or otherwise distorted view of the world, demanding constant critical engagement on the part of everyday citizens.The Critical Thinker’s Guide to Bias, Lies, and Politics in the News reveals the power of critical thinking to make sense of overwhelming and often subjective media by detecting ideology, slant, and spin at work. Building off the Richard Paul and Linda Elder framework for critical thinking, Elder focuses on the internal logic of the news as well as societal influences on the media while illustrating essential elements of trustworthy journalism. With up-to-date discussions of social media, digital journalism, and political maneuvering inside and outside the fourth estate, Fact or Fake is an essential handbook for those who want to stay informed but not influenced by our modern news reporting systems.Table of ContentsIntroduction: Why Critical Thinking is Essential to Making Sense of the NewsThe Logic of the News MediaWhat is News?Political Views in the News – Understanding the Liberal MindPolitical Influences, Advertising, and Group ThinkTechnological Noise in the NewsWhat We Need the News Media to Do for Us Chapter 1: Current Trends Affecting How We See the News Key Critical Thinking Questions to Ask When Seeking the NewsRealities That Impede Our Ability to Get Objective News The Problem of Fake NewsSocial Media as an Unreliable News Source Chapter 2: Essential Critical Thinking Tools for Understanding Media Logic Defining Critical ThinkingA Comprehensive Approach to Critical ThinkingAll Humans Use Their Thinking to Make Sense of the WorldAll Thinking Is Defined by the Eight Elements That Make It UpAnalyze Thinking Through its Elemental StructuresQuestion the Reasoning Embedded in a News ArticleQuestion Your Own Reasoning While Reading the NewsReason Through News Articles, Editorials, and Stories – a ChecklistEvaluate Reasoning Through Critical Thinking StandardsCritical Thinking Standards for Assessing News Articles, Editorials, andStoriesDefining Characteristics of the Disciplined Mind – and How They Help Us See Through Bias and PropagandaRational or Irrational Tendencies Can Control the MindHumans Distort Reality Through Irrational LensesThe Problem of Egocentric ThinkingThe Problem of Sociocentric ThoughtChapter 3: Objectivity, Bias, and Underlying AgendasDemocracy and the News Media Myths That Obscure the Logic of the News Media Bias and Objectivity in the News Media How the News Media Views ObjectivityForms of Objectivity The Perception of Bias in the Mainstream Propaganda and News Story Writing Protecting the Home Audience from Feelings of Guilt How the News Media Fosters Sociocentric Thinking Chapter 4: Become an Astute Media ConsumerHow to Obtain Useful Information from Propaganda and Typical News Stories Steps in Becoming a Critical Consumer of the NewsMedia Awareness of Media Bias Sensitivity to Advertisers Sensitivity to Politicians and the GovernmentSensitivity to Powerful Interests Sensitivity to Their Competitors The Bias Toward “Novelty” and “Sensationalism” Critical Consumers of the News Dominant and Dissenting Views: Finding Alternative Sources of Information Buried, Ignored, or Underreported StoriesReadings that Help You Become a More Independent Thinker Chapter 5: The Future of the NewsIs It Possible for the News Media to Reform? Is the Emergence of a “Critical Society” Possible? Afterword: How the Internet and Other Technologies Pervade Our LivesHow the Internet Works: The Big PictureAssess a Given Website Using Critical Thinking Standards Appendix: An Abbreviated Glossary of Critical Thinking Concepts and Terms

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Book SynopsisIn K12 and higher education, the on-the-job daily demand for evidence-based decision making to solve problems and improve education is ubiquitous. This affordable resource provides educators and administrators with the knowledge and confidence they need to select and design the right measurement tools and statistical tests for the problem at hand, interpret and display the data, and propose evidence-based solutions to improve educational outcomes.Practical Statistic for Educators, 6th Edition is a clear and easy-to-follow book written specifically for education students in introductory statistics and action research courses. It is also an invaluable resource and guidebook for educational practitioners who wish to study their own settings and for those involved in program evaluation.

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Book SynopsisIn K12 and higher education, the on-the-job daily demand for evidence-based decision making to solve problems and improve education is ubiquitous. This affordable resource provides educators and administrators with the knowledge and confidence they need to select and design the right measurement tools and statistical tests for the problem at hand, interpret and display the data, and propose evidence-based solutions to improve educational outcomes.Practical Statistic for Educators, 6th Edition is a clear and easy-to-follow book written specifically for education students in introductory statistics and action research courses. It is also an invaluable resource and guidebook for educational practitioners who wish to study their own settings and for those involved in program evaluation.

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Book SynopsisResearchers in special education have been developing a knowledge base of evidence-based practices that improves the outcomes of students with disabilities. Unfortunately, filtering that knowledge into classrooms implemented by special education teachers has been a challenge. The Essentials of Special Education Research directly addresses the persistent research-to-practice gap by systematically presenting the essential components of research that every special education teacher must know. This accessible text is written with undergraduates in mind, however, is applicable to graduate level studies or inservice teachers regardless of years of experience. Each chapter in The Essentials of Special Education Research is structured to answer common questions about special education research and how teachers can find, read, and implement best practices to positively affect their students' outcomes and become scientific practitioners. By the end of this book, readers will be able to answer questions such as: How has research impacted the field of special education? Where do I access research articles? How do I read research articles? Why do researchers conduct single-case design studies? What are the critical components of group design research? What is mixed-methods design research? How can I use research to address literacy instruction issues? Where can I find additional resources about literature review research?

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Book SynopsisResearchers in special education have been developing a knowledge base of evidence-based practices that improves the outcomes of students with disabilities. Unfortunately, filtering that knowledge into classrooms implemented by special education teachers has been a challenge. The Essentials of Special Education Research directly addresses the persistent research-to-practice gap by systematically presenting the essential components of research that every special education teacher must know. This accessible text is written with undergraduates in mind, however, is applicable to graduate level studies or inservice teachers regardless of years of experience. Each chapter in The Essentials of Special Education Research is structured to answer common questions about special education research and how teachers can find, read, and implement best practices to positively affect their students' outcomes and become scientific practitioners. By the end of this book, readers will be able to answer questions such as: How has research impacted the field of special education? Where do I access research articles? How do I read research articles? Why do researchers conduct single-case design studies? What are the critical components of group design research? What is mixed-methods design research? How can I use research to address literacy instruction issues? Where can I find additional resources about literature review research?

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Book SynopsisTeach With Confidence provides new insights for pre-service and beginning teachers into successfully managing classroom life. The broad concept of classroom management is explored in the domains of planning, reflecting, knowing students, collaborating, and theorizing. The exploration of domains weaves in stories from student teachers with practical advice from the author to show how beliefs, knowledge, and skill in building relationships are critical elements of excellent and successful teaching. This book takes a culturally responsive approach, premised on the notion that successful teachers truly know and understand the lives and needs of their students, and plan their teaching accordingly. The research presented coupled with decades of in-classroom experiences are the foundation for providing beginning teachers with confidence, knowledge, and the ability to enact practices that are consonant with their reasons for choosing teaching.

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Book SynopsisTeach With Confidence provides new insights for pre-service and beginning teachers into successfully managing classroom life. The broad concept of classroom management is explored in the domains of planning, reflecting, knowing students, collaborating, and theorizing. The exploration of domains weaves in stories from student teachers with practical advice from the author to show how beliefs, knowledge, and skill in building relationships are critical elements of excellent and successful teaching. This book takes a culturally responsive approach, premised on the notion that successful teachers truly know and understand the lives and needs of their students, and plan their teaching accordingly. The research presented coupled with decades of in-classroom experiences are the foundation for providing beginning teachers with confidence, knowledge, and the ability to enact practices that are consonant with their reasons for choosing teaching.

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