Critical Thinker Characteristics
Someone who doesn't take things at face value, that takes time to reasearch facts and think about the pros and cons of the decision and how it will ultimately affect them.
Critical thinkers usually listen more than they speak. They are more quiet than others because they are silently analyzing details presented in order to have accurate thinking about a subject.
Good observer
analytical thinker
applies logic
pays attention to detail
respects time
Comes up with own ideas and concepts
Motivated
Ben,
This is a challenge with many of our students today. They do not have or want to take the time to develop the self discipline it takes to be critical thinkers. Technology gives the access to so much that they think that this access is the answer rather than doing the analytical work it takes to sort through all of the information to come up with viable solutions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I feel todays student has enough resources available that critical thinking may be something of the past. As for myself in the classroom discussion I try to address questions with questions. I feel this makes the student think through finding the answer on their own. Of course I will help resource the question with them.
James,
Great comments about how critical thinkers can and do work through problems and create solutions. It is a multi-step process that incorporates a number of different factors as the selection of choice if finally made in relation to an existing problem.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Critical thinkers seek multiple sources of information, analyze what they learn and apply logical reasoning. They also discriminate between reliable and unreliable sources of information.
With explosion of the information age, it is an ever increasing challenge for parents and teachers to help students learn to discriminate and develop their critical thinking skills. It is essential that they learn how to distinguish between antidotal evidence and facts, between advertising hype and empirical evidence and to question their own bias, so they can see beyond their own sociacentric circles and develop objectivity, logic and strong decision making skills.
Critical thinkers seek multiple sources of information, analyze what they learn and apply logical reasoning. They also discriminate between reliable and unreliable sources of information.
With explosion of the information age, it is an ever-increasing challenge for teachers seeking to help students learn to discriminate and develop their critical thinking skills. It is essential that they learn how to distinguish between antidotal evidence and facts, between advertising hype and empirical evidence and to question their own bias. People have to learn how to see beyond their own sociacentric circles; seeking information, developing objectivity, excercising logic and strong decision-making skills to become good critical thinkers.
Ruth,
Right you are. It seem simple but so many people lack the ability to walk through these steps to come up with solutions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The characteristics of a critical thinker are looking at information,determining if more information is needed, and evaluating the information for logic and accuracy. Then coming up with reasonable decision about your action and carrying it through.
From your perspective what are the characteristics of a critical thinker?
Shawn,
This can be very frustrating. What aspects of your work environment would assist you in requiring a 'checkpoint' for the needed detail? Thanks for sharing.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Critical thinkers don't just "jump" to a conclusion and make a decision immediately after being presented with a problem. Instead, they gather relevent information and consider their options before arriving at a conclusion. I am from the baby boomer generation, and I supervise a number of employees who are from generation Y. They seem to want to jump to conclusions very quickly, and their attention to detail is often lacking. I find that very frustrating especially since the job we do requires a strict attention to detail.
David,
These are good ones.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Characteristics of a critical thinker are discipline to examine aspects of the problem and perhaps even more important the ability to recognize his/her own biases and the ability to put them aside.
Scott,
Excellent example. These are very universal for solving most types of problems.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
a critical thinker is what we as electronic diagnostic instructors love to experience in our classrooms, the thought processes for an excellent troubleshooter follow along these same guidelines:
1) Gather information
2) Analyze the information gathered
3) Conduct tests to verify your analyzed data
4) perform the repairs required after your test results concur.
5) always re-test after your repairs are made to verify your results
Kathryn,
Very good approach. Keep the problem at "arm's length" for objectivity. Very good.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Kathryn,
The more aware of metacognitive processes (e.g. evaluating one's own cognitve dissonance) is an excellent characteristic. Very good.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I believe an important characteristic of a critical thinker is the ability to view a problem as an opportunity to analyze a situation and recommend a viable solution based on personal experience and reflection.
