Critical Thinking Activities
Give examples of activities or questions that involve critical thinking in a course that you are currently teaching.
After learning about linear, quadratic, and exponential relationships, and reading the story "One Grain of Rice", my math students each write a fictional story that features a linear, quadratic, or exponential reward plan for some good deed. The stories can be presented in a medium of choice such as a word processed booklet, a Power Point, a video, a story board, or a play. The plan must be worked out mathematically on a planning worksheet and various elements of the mathematics must appear in the story. It's one of the most enjoyable projects my students do!
As a class activity, my students each receive an index card with a real world (emergency) scenario.
They are given time to critically think about their reaction and response. Each student presents it to the class. This class discussion gets everyone involved.
Hi Teri,
I have found that most students do not even know what options to come up with to choose the best option. We have to help our students with analytical and critical thinking.
Patricia Scales
Hi Peggy,
I agree! Let your students try on their own, and if they begin to fall, you be right there to catch them. Students learn more by doing.
Patricia Scales
Hi David,
I am sure your students get very excited about this assignment. This really pertains to how they would handle this type of scenario on the job.
Patricia Scales
I prefer analytical thinking with students. I like the students to be able to figure out problems by separating it into different catagories and then figuring out the best answer. I know that critical thinking is very important as well. However, I find that it works for me to do this in groups so everyone feels less intimidated.
Working in the clinical setting, I love to watch students with equipment and working out strategies in their heads. I think the best way to learn is hands on, of course with the instructor near by. I let them keep working until they no longer know what to do, I wait for them to ask for help before interfering. They know I am always there to support them.
Working in the clinical setting, I love to watch students with equipment and working out strategies in their heads. I think the best way to learn is hands on, of course with the instructor near by. I let them keep working until they no longer know what to do, I wait for them to ask for help before interfering. They know I am always there to support them.
As a baking instructor, I like to discuss how to write a menu for an event like a Mother's Day brunch. Once all the desserts are decided upon then we can discuss what order in which the items could be prepared ahead of time and what would need to be made last minute.
Hi Frantz,
Students love it when learning directly applies to what they will be doing on the job. Students are excited about practical learning.
Patricia Scales
In a recording class, I like to let the students choose the microphones/techniques to use on different instruments. We then record and discuss the results. We do this multiple times so that different combinations are tried and analyzed to give the students experience that can be drawn upon later in the real world.
Hi Alan,
Frequent changes allow for good pure critical thinking. I love giving my students scenarios to help promote good solid critical thinking.
Patricia Scales
Hi Amy,
Students get it when they are allowed to deal with practical applications. They get a good taste as to how things are in the real world.
Patricia Scales
In our particular field, student must keep on point with critical thinking as the industry is changing daily
I like to use as many critical thinking activities as possible including written and practical applications. It makes the realworld experience more relevant.
I believe that this happens often when the student is not prepared or has skipped a number of classes. Rather than attempt to manage this during class time, I typically will talk to them outside of class time and emphasize the importance of preparation to success in my course.
I am a big fan of "questioning to the void," which, when done properly, sufficiently opens a student's mind up to a variety of options and situations that they may not have thought of on their own.
Care must be taken, however, to make sure that the student does not feel threatened by a series of questions, but is encouraged and supported by the instructor throughout this questioning method.
Hi Katherine,
Case studies are great to prepare students for what they will encounter on the job.
Patricia Scales
I involve my students in case studies regarding oral lesions. I encourage them to think and come up with the differential diagnosis.
