I agree! Employers want individuals who can handle pressure, analyze and be a critical thinker! These soft skills are essential not only for getting hired but also for being successful in your career.
I like activities that keep students on their toes also. Most students need to step out of their comfort zone and be able to analyze situations and how to handle them.
An example would be the mock interviews I conduct as an in-class activity. Each student must participate and I give points for exceptional answers. The class offers feedback to each student who answers interview questions.
Hi Elizabeth,
I concur! If you are a quick thinker, you can certainly move up the corporate ladder.
Patricia Scales
Hi Susie,
I love how you make practical use of cell phones. Cell phones are not always a bad thing in the classroom, if you use them for effective learning to take place.
Patricia Scales
Critical thinking skills in the medical profession are necessary. Critical thinking helps make followers into leaders.
I organize students into groups to research a foodborne illness on their smart phones. I give them a limited amount of time, about 20 minutes, and a representative from each group presents the information to the class.
Hi Ruth,
Awesome exercise! This is an exercise that I am sure most if not all of your students can relate to.
Patricia Scales
Hi Colleen,
Great reinforcement! Students have heard and now they should be able to give it back to you.
Patricia Scales
I agree that a major part of critical thinking is to be able to think outside the box. Some students however, as you said need a little more guidance in doing so. With class discussions, however, as other people speak, it usually give those students who have trouble with critical thinking some ideas of their own by listening to others. This can be accomplished with face-to-face discussions, and on-line discussions.
I teach Into to computers, and I have my students engage in on-line discussions on various computer/technology related topics. On discussion that I have them do is to look at how Social Networking has changed their lives, and the lives of society in general. The students are asked to list some pros and cons of social networking, and also how can it be used in positive ways in the future, and to antipate future pros and cons.
When I repeat material that I have already covered in a previous lecture, I review it by starting the statement and letting the students finish the statement. I also ask leading questions while doing a review to reinforce key items.
Hi Karen,
These exercises certainly promote critical thinking, and they are very applicable to what students will encounter on the job.
Patricia Scales
Hi Kerry,
Absolutely! As instructors, we need to focus as much as we can on making learning apply to the real world so that students can get what they need in order to be successful in the workplace.
Patricia Scales
Hi Denise,
Use scenarios, simulations, mock learning, case studies, and role playing to promote critical thinking.
Patricia Scales
I teach a nursing course where critical thinking is a must. I have exercises that involves using their knowledge of conditions and disorders, such as prioritizing their care.
I lay out a real life example and have them figure out a solution
Hi Ray,
This is such a very practical exercise. Students can gain a lot of knowledge from this project. This project helps prepare them for the real world.
Patricia Scales
I think I could use some suggestions on how to make a more critical thinking environment in my classroom. Any suggestions?
Teaching vocational education our students must evaluate what formulas to use and many time they have choices and must decide which is best. We have consultations prior to a service and we must ask the right questions to the client and then the student must collect all the information and give the instructor the best conclusion for the procedure. We teach procedures and use critical thinking and analytical thinking always. We try to involve the theory and practical applications to combine in the learning process.
