From my perspective, the characteristics of a critical thinker include the following items: the ability to have perspective on a given subject matter, the ability to think outside the parameters of normal understanding and the wherewithal to see with new eyes when viewing a subject matter. I feel that it is extremely important to develop critical thinking skills in everyday life - including work and personal life.
A critical thinker is someone who can analyze and critique information rationally and objectively, and from that draw sound conclusions.
Daneen,
This is a very comprehensive definition of critical thinkers. With this approach your students are going to be able to go out into the field and be successful at working through problems.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The characteristics of a critical thinker include but are not limited to
-being able to discern various informational sources and determine what information is credible.
-to also be able to form your own opinion based on what you have read and what information you evaluate to be reliable and credible.
-to be able to examine an issue from various perspective and develop an informed and educated opinion free of stereotypes
Gather data review it then make a decision based on the information at hand and life experances.
Susana,
Yes a critical thinker does need these skills. If the thinker is not able to follow the sequence you have laid out it is going to be very difficult for that person to meet the demands of problem solving in his or her workplace.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Anwar,
This is a very well developed definition and explanation of how critical thinkers develop into problem solvers. Thanks you for sharing this with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A critical thinker must have the following: good in collecting data, good in analyzing information and data received, and be able to process new information obtained.
I totally agree with you here Ariana when you said based on his/her own judgment, However, that's where Critical Thinking formula plays an important role to make sure judgment is based on logical reasoning and not on emotional attachment.
In my personal opinion, the characteristics of a critical thinker are self-directed and self-inspired to be able to gather information from various valid sources, to be able to analyze them and make result-oriented decision based on logical reasoning and reasonable expectations on final outcome.
Shelton,
I'm with you. I try to teach my culinary students the art of Critical Thinking. Develpoing the ability to sort out meaningless information or data and concentrate on the revelent information for which you can now organize and develope a strategy.
Eva,
Yes they do. If they can then they are going to be valued problem solvers in their career areas.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Critical thinkers must be able to translate the info they have received, analyze it & then utilize the info in order to make a right conclusion.
Robert,
So true because life no matter the setting involves a lot of reflective thinking as we progress through our careers and personal situations.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree and by learning critical thinking skills now it will benefit them throughout their entire life.
Apryl,
Like the way you walk the students through the process of determining the status of a patient and how to work with that patient. This is real world application that each student needs before graduation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Rosa,
Good way to lay out how critical thinkers need to approach a problem and then work through to solution.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Alexandra,
Like your definition of critical thinkers. These five elements are essential for a person to be able to recognize and then work through the steps to solve problems.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
from an externship prospective, I have the pre-extern evaluate the patient schedule, identify the equipment, the amount of time to set up and how long a procedure will take. I also have them think of "what-ifs" and how they would handle it.
Critical thinkers atre able to research information, organize and interopret the information. In so doing, critical thinkers are able to determine the information that is vital to formulate ideas based on the information.
