New Book Equips Teachers to Fight Fake News in Classrooms
A new book aims to help teachers tackle fake news and conspiracy theories in classrooms. Written by Glenn Y. Bezalel, it provides tools for discussing controversial topics with students. The UK government is also reviewing the school curriculum to address these same concerns. The book, Teaching Classroom Controversies: Navigating Complex Teaching Issues in the Age of Fake News and Alternative Facts, was published by Routledge. It is available in paperback, hardback, and eBook formats. Bezalel argues that schools are the best place for students to engage with differing opinions on contentious issues.
Bezalel serves as Deputy Head (Academic) at City of London School and researches conspiracy theories at Cambridge University. His work highlights how social media echo chambers are siloing young people's opinions. The book includes teaching guides on topics like Holocaust denial, climate change scepticism, and anti-vax sentiment. The author's goal is to create a culture of 'interthinking' in classrooms. This approach encourages students to critically analyse information rather than accept it unquestioningly. Bezalel lives in London with his wife and five children.
The book offers practical support for teachers dealing with complex issues in education. It arrives as the UK government reviews the curriculum to help pupils identify misinformation. Schools may soon adopt similar strategies to foster critical thinking among students.
