Peak Experience
Independent Thinking
“How do you know what’s true?”
In this workshop, students explore some of the techniques used in modern media to manipulate the way we think and act.
Students build the skills needed to:
- Enhance their ability to use critical and creative thinking
- Build their personal and social capability to recognise messages aimed at dividing people
What’s involved?
Workshop activities include…
Brain Priming
Using optical illusions and marketing techniques to recognise that we don’t always see what we think we see and that our brains can be tricked.
Airport
Through a simulation, students are exposed to tools that can be used to misinform people through the use of emotive language and the expert fallacy.
Expert Witness
Students consider what makes an expert and when it may be necessary to dig deeper before following their advice.
I Resolve To...
Students commit to an action to make a positive difference.
What will students learn?
By the end of the workshop students will…
Feel more confident in their ability to recognise and reject messages that aim to create division and unfairness
Be able to test their own personal beliefs, thoughts and assumptions through independent investigation
Explain some of the ways in which cognitive biases can be created or manipulated by others
Where does this fit in?
This workshop is suitable for students in Years 7-12.
The content aligns to the Australian F-10 Curriculum General Capabilities:
Critical & Creative Thinking
Ethical Understanding
Personal and Social Capability
How can we take part?
Face-to-Face
An interactive and engaging ‘Peak Experience’ run in-person by one of our expert facilitators.
Timing: 2 hours
Student count: Up to 60 per workshop
Online
This workshop offers flexible learning using a combination of online self-directed work and facilitated debrief sessions.
Timing: 2 hours (can be split over multiple sessions)
Student count: Up to 60 per workshop
What do we need to provide?
For face-to-face workshops, we’ll need…
Venue
A large open space with room for up to 60 students to move around and work in groups.
AV
A data projector or large TV, microphone (cordless is ideal), speakers to play videos and music.
Seating
A chair for each participant. These can be stacked to the side of the room prior to each session.
Pen/Pencil
A pen or pencil for each participant. No laptops, paper or other resources are required.
Staff
At least two staff members to be present throughout the workshop for active observation.
For online workshops, your students will need…
Device
A computer or tablet for each student to complete their online course and join the scheduled check-in calls with their High Resolves facilitator.
Wi-fi
A reliable internet connection will help to ensure that students get the most out of the course content and facilitator check-ins.
How can we extend the learning?
We’ve got all the follow-up resources that you need…
Filter Bubbles
Students investigate how ‘filter bubbles’ shape the way individuals perceive the world and others.
Partial Truths
Students explore the dangers of making decisions based on limited, and possibly biased, information.
Confirmation Bias
Students examine how confirmation bias operates and its influence on how we process information.
Evaluating Experts
Students explore how to evaluate the trustworthiness of an expert’s claims.
