Students foster critical thinking at Hvaleyrarskóli

Communication that empowers our young people

Thirty students from the upper school of Hvaleyrarskóli are taking part in an elective course in an international partnership with Tartu Raatuse Kool in Estonia. The theme of the project is to promote critical thinking to reduce communication anxiety following COVID. The project is funded by the Nordic Council of Ministers (Nordplus). The students are planning to go to Estonia in March next year, and Estonian students are then due to visit Hvaleyrarskóli in May.

„At the beginning of the course, students took a survey about their trust in digital media, social media, news in general, and their opinion on a technologically advanced world,“ says Margrét Össurardóttir, a Year 10 teacher at Hvaleyrarskóli. „The advertising market and so-called influencers will be examined, and the question asked: do they have an influence? The emphasis is on students being able to get by in English, learning to respect the opinions of others, and fostering cooperation.“

Looking back at the COVID era

The students will look at how, during COVID, healthcare systems around the world were placed under immense pressure. Many doctors and nurses experienced high levels of stress and burnout. Many businesses closed or scaled back their operations, leading to unemployment and economic uncertainty. Governments around the world had to implement economic measures to support businesses and individuals. People had to stay at home, which led to social isolation. This had a negative impact on the mental health of many.

They also note that distance learning and remote working have become more common, which has changed how people work and learn. This has led to an increased use of technology and digital solutions. People have become more aware of their health and hygiene habits.

„People have become more aware of the link between diet and mental health. Diets that support mental wellbeing, and during the COVID-19 pandemic, diets have undergone significant changes, both in food security and eating habits,“ says Margrét.

Understanding the information

The project, called POCO-COMMA, will include four joint workshops. The aim is for them to result in an understanding of a world where people are surrounded by information and must exercise critical thinking to distinguish between reliable and unreliable sources.

„It helps us to make informed decisions, where we weigh up the pros and cons, and think about the consequences. Critical thinking increases the ability to argue a case and put forward stronger arguments, which is important in discussions and conversations,“ says Margrét.

The form tutors of the Hvaleyrarskóli school's junior secondary school will lead the project.