Critical Thinking
I teach military and civilian adult learners. I start each two week course with a lesson on critical thinking skills and tie that in to course participation and life-skills after the course. Due to the amount of material I must cover in my two eek course, I'm only able to teach a two hour block on this subject which barely scratches the surface of this valuable learning skill. Does anyone have experience with a good introductory critical thinking class?
Critical thinking on any level is so important to include in course material. A very humorous and light way to include is to use Frame Games by Terry Stickels.
It appears in one of the Sunday magazines near the last page. You can also access them via
http://www.usaweekend.com/section/fun03 or
http://www.terrystickels.com/frame-games/
If you listen to some of the commercials on TV, they will provide you with some critical thinking questions for your students too! For example, Michelin tire advertised the gas saver tire, save on your gas mileage. Ask your students how much this tire will save? Over what period of time? Dissect some of the commercials for what isn't being said.
Hi Doreen,
Great points! Thanks for sharing. I would love to view this Powerpoint presentation.
Patricia
Hi David,
Great insight! Thanks for sharing.
Patricia
George, Bill and others,
Good question. I work in a similar field and have some insights and recommendations. Typically these/your students are pulled from their "work" environment and now find themselves in a learning/academic environment so I think it is naturally difficult for them to make this adjustment to a learning environment in a 2 hr class. Breaking the ice and engaging the students with examples and psychomotor exercises may help with this transition and reenforce class lectures. Most military personnel have done critical thinking in one way shape or form but it was not referred to as "critical thinking". Perhaps a student exercise using a real life tactical problem would provide a context they could relate to? Also, in the past Dr. Peter Facione conducted a 1hr Critical Thinking presentation as part of my organization's Offsite. At the end he used a video clip from Apollo 13 (when the oxygen tank exploded) to show the different forms of critical thinking...I thought a very effective means to emphasize his teaching points.
Hello George,
Seems like you have challenges that you would like to accomplish. I have written a critical care Power Point for a course requirement for I am currently seeking my Doctorate in Nursing Practice. CT is a skillful, responsible thinking that is conductive to good judgement because it is sensitive to context, relies on criteria, and is self-correcting. Therefore, there are three parts:Analysis of the Elements (focusing on the parts), Evaluation of the Standards(focusing on the quality), Improvements of thinking by using what has been learned. I believe you and the class can benefit by the following: Introduce the follwing "Elements of Thought" throughout each two week course. The Elements include 1. POINTS of View(frame of reference, perspective, orientation). 2. Purpose of the thinking(goals, objectivers). 3. Question at issue(problem, issue). 4. Information Data, facts, observations, experiences). 5. Interpretation & Inference(conclusions, solutions). 6. Concepts(theories, definitions, axioms, laws, principles, models). 7. Assumptions(presuppositions, taking for granted). 8. Implicastions & Consequences. Involve the class in all aforementioned elements as you teach. Your students will be b etter critical thinkers by the end of the two courses. The result: A well cultivated critical thinker who will raise vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly, A CT who gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively, Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevent criteria and standards, Who thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences and lastly, Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.
Hope this helps!
Doreen Giglio
Teaching in the same field, I would only offer the perspective that it is important to remember that we are providing a framework for their individual future learning and giving them the tools to investigate/pursue additional expertise. Critical thinking is something that is applicable to every area of study. I would add that the WIIFM model is perfectly suited for this. We obviously can't make them expert critical thinkers in a two or three week course but I am confident the even making them away that there are established principles associated with critical thinking and a vast array of resourses on this topic is extremely beneficial.
Hi George,
I understand the fast paceness of the class limits your ability as to what you want to teach. Perhaps, you and your DOE can revamp the course. I do not have experience in this area. Follow up with your DOE.
Patricia
