Critical Reading in Physics Lessons

Abstract We are surrounded by a lot of information and some of it is not based on truth. We should develop pupils’ critical reading skills during physics classes. The contribution presents activity which consists of reading two articles and answering prepared questions. The tool to evaluate the answers was designed. The results of evaluation suggest that teachers need to devote much more attention to the development of critical reading skills and systematically develop it during school attendance. Pupils’ level of critical reading is not sufficient, and it seems to be problematic for them to obtain these skills. The results of this survey suggest that pupils experienced major difficulties with drawing evidence-based conclusions based on evidence. Their conclusions were not supported by scientific evidence nor other arguments. Pupils experienced difficulties to formulate a scientific question. Comparing two articles, they experienced more difficulties to identify the writer’s assumptions and viewpoints in the article The Feeling of Warmth . They often claimed that the author was not stating his point of view, but merely “explaining”. Teachers received a very positive feedback for this activity and expressed interest in implementing similar activities in the future.