DataWISE: A Tool to Scaffold Critical Data Literacy and Media Literacy Skills

With the rise of misinformation and disinformation spreading on social media, it is becoming increasingly important for science teachers to not only teach accurate science content, but also prepare students with the skills to critically evaluate data-based claims for reliability and validity. A group of science educators, high school teachers, and researchers have developed a free tool called DataWISE and a suite of sample activities for scaffolding critical data analysis and media literacy. The tool purposely sandwiches the critical aspects of multiple Science and Engineering Practices related to data analysis between key media literacy skills to create a flexible framework for evaluating claims that require scientific information to support them. In order for students to internalize the framework into a metacognitive strategy that is useful to them outside of the classroom, we recommend that the tool be introduced early within a course and regularly embedded in classroom activities.