Developing Critical Thinking Skills
What are some ways individuals can develop their critical thinking skills?
Hudson,
Like the way you walk your students through the process of patient care which is critical thinking at its best. Great foundation upon which to build additional experience and expertise in the area of critical thinking.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Because I teach in a nursing program, one of the key tools we use to foster critical thinking is the patient care plan.
Not only do the students need to know their patient, they must develop a step-by-step, individualized set of goals. To get to each goal, they write an nursing intervention with a rationale for each intervention.
The rationale is important, because it helps them understand WHY they are doing what they're doing.
My experience has been that if students can understand the reasoning behind an action, it helps them to put all of the pieces of the puzzle together in a meaningful and effective way.
I agree. as technical school we spend a lot of time on problem solving techniques. I encourage my students to observe a problem in small steps. Prove the systems one component at a time and move forward using the same thought process. I get them to look a particular portion of a circuit and ask them what their expectations are before testing a component then perform the testing and based on that move to the next portion.
I try to stress the basic concepts, components and operation of systems as thoroughly and completely as possible; intentionally proceeding slowly so that students can grasp core information which is built upon over the next several days or weeks of lessons. Students who do not attend, do not get involved or do not ask questions when they are confused often struggle with the remainder of their studies. Those who do attend and engage in the learning activities build understanding and confidence when core knowledge needs to be applied toward development of troubleshooting and diagnostic strategies.
by having to make decisions.
Teresa,
Thank you for sharing this process with us. It is a great sequence that gives students a formula that they can work through to learn how to be problem solvers. Through practice and self discipline they will learn how much effort needs to go into critical thinking and problem solving as well as the rewards that go with being successful.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree with the statement that good problem solving skills builds self-esteem. A healthy dose of self-esteem is important while working within any career of choice. In my Career Development class critical thinking is emphasized and daily practice is a must in order to hone that skill. I also integrate group and individual class assignments to assist with facilitation of these skills. For example a combination of (3) thinking skills and 6 step problem solving worksheet would involve going through these stages:
1. Critical Thinking Stage
Define the problem or decision
Examine the details of the problem or decision
2. Creative Thinking Stage
Generate possible solutions
Evaluate the options and select one
3. Practical Thinking Stage
Take action
Determine the results of the action(use corrective measures)
Ms. T. Keith
Michele,
I think your strategy is right on target. The big question of "WHY" is the foundation upon which critical thinking and problem solving is built.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think that the best way to develop critical thinking skills is to constantly ask yourself "Why"? It is important for someone to understand themselves and how they came to their belief system. In doing that , we can then make up our own minds about what to believe.
Traci,
I am a big fan of using case studies. My students really love getting them and problem solving to get through them. What they like is that since they are real cases they get to know the outcomes and this helps to reinforce to the students the reasons they need to follow certain steps and complete certain procedures. They get to see the results of the case studies so they have a better idea of what the outcome will be when they are working on a patient.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Critical thinking is essential to our profession as dental hygienists so we utilize case studies for students to learn through. We use formats that encourage them to thikk through cause and effect situations to problem solve and develop these needed critical thinking skills.
Paula,
Like the way you stated how critical thinking skills are generated. The seed of encouragement goes a long way in helping students to grow, reflect and become problem solvers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Critical thinking skills blossom when a seed of encouragement is planted. Students respond well to activities that offer choices and a variety of avenues for exploring. When my presentation sparks curiosity, students teach themselves. Follow-up includes feedback from peers and the instructor.
NEAL,
You make a number of good points and to me the big one is helping them to identify what is in it for them. Once they see that then they will buy in to the effort needed to learn how to be critical thinkers and problem solvers. As for role models they are good for students to have contact with and you are right about the fact that we as learning leaders are role models to and for our students and we can never forget that when interacting with them.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I have found with my students before they will 'buy into' developing any skill, not just critical thinking, they must be shown what's in it for them and how is it relevant to their lives. I try to increase their motivation by giving them some options in class and lab. also the level of difficulty cannot be too easy, boredom, but not too difficult, unattainable. by challenging them gradually the students are capable of ever more complex tasks. I show them that by improving critical thinking it will be of use in many parts of their lives. if by chance you can find a role model that the students can identify with relevant to your subject matter they might be more likely to see the importance of what you would like them to learn.( some times In the students eyes you are their role model.)
Kenny,
Great strategy to follow. Our culture is based upon speed so by slowing them down and asking them to think for 10 seconds you are helping them to do a lot of internalizing and that leads to better decisions and solutions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Give them the resources/ information they need, analyze through logical deduction,
Determine if it is the "cause" or "effect"
come to a conclusion.
When Q&A the students I ask them to think for 10 seconds before attempting to answer, it eliminates some of the students from "bum rushing" the I DON'T KNOW answer.
Denise,
Thank you for these comments on how you can help students to develop critical thinking skills. Each of the steps builds on the next to the point that they start to realize that they can actually solve problems by using the steps you work them through. It is a matter of experience, knowledge and confidence all of which take time and effort to acquire.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I signed up for this on-line class because I thought that I really didn't know how to critically think; and, as a result, wouldn't know how to teach my students how to think deeply to solve problems. After reading some of the posts, I am beginning to have a little more confidence in myself and what I can offer my students.
Our classes mix lectures and labs. The lectures introduce the skills, and the labs are designed to give the students ample time to practice these skills. They are required to perform the skills formally so that we know that they know the "how". But then they perform the skills in a timed situation based on a case study so that they can tell us "why". "Why did you do this?" They have to be able to critically think in order to demonstrate the "what and why" of the situation. Prior to the practical, we get a mock case study and introduce the procedure of how to gather the information, and why the information is important. I think that is the biggie as it was presented in the first part of this course. Why is this relevant...how and why will you use this information here in class then after you graduate? So I think that we can help students develop critical thinking skills by: using examples, stepping back (don't give them answers right away) and getting the students involved, (as another person in the forum stated) get them to slow down and digest the material, guide them initially, ask specific questions in order to stimulate their thinking, give them constructive feedback, and BE PATIENT. I have also started to break the students in to small groups so that they can do their own mock practicals and the instructors are available for questions as they work through the case study.
