Get Your Students Hired
Its also a great idea to give a critical thinking test at the begining of each semester.
Tiffany,
I like exercises that allow for trial and error, and where there is little or no penalty (grade-wise) for trying. Practice by trial and error does increase the comfort level and confidence to be willing to forge ahead -- just as in the work setting.
Barry Westling
I believe in using critical thinking with my students this allows them to open there mind up to options where there mind has not been expanded this allows them to think beyond the norm.
Kathleen,
Critical thinking is one of those things that just takes practice, and case studies are a great way to instill a rational approach to problem solving. I find this is not an easy task for many students but diligence and practice usually overcomes their reluctance and ability in the end of the course.
Barry Westling
I teach in a veterinary medical field, and I find that incorporating case studies help my students with critical thinking. The knowledge that they have learned can be applied to a real life scenario and helps them think outside the box.
Chuck,
I like to use the expression of "getting into the students minds eye". In science there are many concepts, ideas or theories that are abstract and to learn them requires an understanding for the students to grasp it fully. Stories or examples that help simplify the main idea is a good way to foster understanding. And often, if a student can place themselves in the situation there is an immediate illumination of why or what the importance of the idea is all about. Unfortunately, I've found some students can't even relate to my "simplified analogy" because their awreness of the world around them is limited. So I have to try to find alternative examples to get the point across, which is OK, but just takes more time.
Barry Westling
To add to the conversation, both throughout the term/semester and in-between them, I'm always on the lookout for articles in the local paper (i.e, my student's immediate social environment), which relates to either the student's career field and/or "everyday lives" and content covered in the course. I believe it helps students to make the connections between the abstract/theoretical, which may understandably often come across as inaccessible to them and actual experience/practice. I've also incorporated a similar exercise/assignment for students to locate such articles and make a brief, 1 minute summary in class describing any connections they "see" or can make to their own experiences (be it on a personal or career-related level depending...).
Of course I believe critical thinking is part and parcel to any "higher education", and indeed has been a consistent educational objective in my work on various General Education/Curriculum Committees. Not taking things at face value, deepening one's understanding of a social condition/phenomenon, considering the source(s) of information, differing perspectives, or what is "missing" or "not being said", are just some of the aspects involved in the development of intellectual/critical thinking capacity. I usually find it helpful (if not outright necessary) to deliver an instructional component defining, describing and examining examples of critical thinking in my classes and to discuss the application and benefits of same with students.
Donna,
Great! Critical thinking is really just planned or reasoned thinking. Students make choices throughout their lives. We would do well to teach our students to be active thinkers and in doing so, we would help them be better graduates, workers, individuals, including in their personal lives.
Barry Westling
I try to emphasize critical thinking when reviewing the test questions with the students. Showing them how to analyze a question to arrive at the best answer of the possible choices given on a multiple choice question improves their critical thinking skills which in turn helps them develop better test-taking skills.
Ramona,
When students feel like participating, current events are great. I think finding "what's in it for me" kind of acticities help keep students interest and tend to be more willing to actively engage.
Barry Westling
I find that current event assignments encourage critical thinking and keep the student abreast of their chosen professtion
Angela,
Sounds good. I encourage my faculty to integrate critical thinking throughout their lessons so students learn to practice thinking outside the box all the time, as a matter of routine and normal thinking process.
Barry Westling
I like to give critical thinking after every chapter. They need to start thinking outside the box and be prepared to be out in the field.
Noreen,
I agree. To get students to be critical thinkers would an achievement to be proud of, as this could help both at home and at work, and last a lifetime.
Barry Westling