Tutor profile: Scott Z.

What is the hardest part about being a librarian?

The most difficult aspect to librarianship is learning to distinguish between when to teach people how to research, and when to just help them do it. Sometimes people are in a place where they are open to learning, and other times they just need the information, without being chastised for not finding it themselves.

What is the origin of laws, and why do people make them?

Law develops from an agreement among people to follow a set of rules in how they behave towards one another. Generally, this need for a set of rules is produced from a chaotic and unregulated period that has been rejected as untenable.

What role does critical thinking play in the development of children's understanding of society?

Critical thinking is a skill that is central to the development of mature, self-directed learners. It enables people to discern reality from pretense and to navigate their relationships accordingly. The challenge with teaching critical thinking is to encourage reflection and analysis, while avoiding cynicism and apathy. The skillful educator frames critical thinking not as a means of detecting falsehood, but as a path to authentic engagement with the world.