Hi Jose,
Awesome variety to encourage critical thinking. Students enjoy active learning. It amazes me to see the energy and thought process of the students involved whenever they are required to think critically.
Patricia
Hi April,
These are perfect critical thinking questions. These questions really make students think hard and deep as well as out of the box.
Patricia
I teach pastry classes. Understanding what is happening at any given time on a physical level is critical to the success of a pastry professional. We spend much time discussing gluten and its development. One question I ask is what ingredients, conditions and procedures inhibit the development of gluten as it pertains to the pastry kitchen. The opposite question is what ingredients, conditions and procedures help the development of gluten as it pertains to the bread baking kitchen.
I incorporate the following assignment types in my courses:
-roleplaying
-problem-posing
-cases and simulation
-Lab/Technical reports (Observation and Communication)
Students sometimes often focus on the completion of the task rather than what is actually being taught within the task. Any thing that promotes critical thinking promotes better learning because they have to be more active during the learning process.
Hi Kevin,
What a great way to make what has been taught practical. Students get it whenever they can see how what they have learned can be applied.
Patricia
I am currently teaching a class that involves risk management. On the surface, the topic appears to be based on memorization of terms and responses to risks in a corporate environment. I have tasked my class with creating a campus safety plan for our campus. They are interviewing faculty, examining various components of the building, and have taken a strong leadership role. Engaging students in a "real life" situation has been a great method for me to provide an opportunity for students to "do" what they "heard".
Teaching Brit Lit, my seniors got into a discussion about the Renaissance period. Once we discussed the "spirit of rebirth" of art as well as personal awakenings...so to speak...they began to consider if we are in a type of renaissance of our own. they considered the technology, the term "global awareness" and what we constantly talk about: preparing students with 21st century skills. They batted around several questions related to technology today, the shinking of our world due to internet access that allows us to reach across the oceans and decided that in fact...at least in their minds...we were in a renaissance period of our own. I asked about the art and classical topics...and they decided that even though it may not be comparable to the older set, they felt that art and music as well fit into the category. They considered not only the type of music or art...but the ability to access fine art...which before was available to the elite. Like the ending of feudal system, the internet has made self improvement accessible to the common man...should we so desire.
Pretty good huh!
Hi Gregory,
Super way to get students to think critically. Most people certainly react and then begin to think critically after reacting. Great analogy used here, very easy to follow the reaction then the thinking.
Patricia
An good example is to introduce a topic designed to have the students react. Once they've reacted, introduce the critical thinking model and then have them review.
Critical thinking involves processing information versus emotion. A police officer responds to a complaint and witnesses a highly agitated person running toward them. Instinct would be to subdue a potential threat. Later information shows the person was just assaulted and was running to you for help. Critical thinknig in this scenario forces the student to consider all of the information in a very short amount of time.
Hi Michelle,
Great example! The example is real easy to understand as well. Critical thinking allows for the best possible choice.
Patricia
An example of critical thinking would be a question. It would be what type of cutting tool would be used during a haircut to achieve the movement within the hair?
Would I use the texture shears or the razor to create the best effect.
