The rise and rapid evolution of social media has produced a fragmented and polarized society where many of us, often unwittingly, reside in “echo chambers” where we are surrounded by like-minded views that reinforce our preconceptions and biases. As students coming of age begin to form societal views on their own, it is important for educators to bring them out of their comfort zones and expose them to views and values that challenge their own, helping them to reason objectively and individually by developing key critical thinking skills, as well as encouraging them to try to experience and understand views contrary to their own by nurturing empathy. 

In this session we will look into how library databases can help achieve such objectives without imposing the educator’s views and maintaining an open ended dialogue between everyone.