From my perspective the characteristics of a critical thinker include
1. The ability to use common sense and logic to solve problems;
2. Is analytical
3. Is informed and well read
4. Can formulate his/her own opinion on a topic after research or from experience.
5 Can recognize the fact or truth when barraged with various information.
Marcia,
This is a very well developed definition of how critical thinking unfolds. Helping our students to understand and have command of these steps will help them to develop into not only critical thinkers but also problem solvers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A Critical thinker gathers data (makes an assessment or researches an idea), analyzes the truthfulness or validity of the data, asks questions about the data, determines relevancy, examines assumptions or biases, formulates a conclusion and takes action based on the analysis. It is self-directed and through the analysis it may improve or re-evaluate the prior held thoughts or conclusions.
Juliet,
You have developed a very well constructed definition of what a critical thinker should be about. This definition gives you an operational base from which you can plan instructional activities that will help your students to become critical thinkers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think a critical thinker is someone who looks at a problem or situation, by gathering the facts and sorting through the facts to come up with the best possible solution. They tend to be very analytical, logical, precise, and knowledgeable.
Alex,
Good definition and well structured in terms of how individuals work through the problem solving process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Thinkers have to be able to translate info they receive,digest it and analyze itin order to make a right decision
from a healthcare perspective a critical thinker is able to gather the signs/sympotms info as well as testing/lab data and reach a diaagnosis. One who excells at this can do with minimal info to atleast begin treatment
Mary Jane,
This is a very comprehensive definition of critical thinking and I think it gives many wonderful opportunities for students to use their newly developed skills in problem solving. Thank you for sharing this definition with us.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Critical thinking is skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing information heard or read for validity. It is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking.It entails effective communciation and problem-solving abilities, as well as a commitment to overcome our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.We must make discerning judgment based on appropriate evaluative standards in the attempt to determine the true worth, merit or value of something.
I believe characteristics of a critical thinker are gathering information, deciphering the information, analyzing the information and the importance, and then making an informed decision based on the information.
A critical thinker comprehends the facts (information)and its connection to the situation that is being presented by identifying the components and their link to the given circumstances. He identifies the problem and work it out based on the facts by defining it with options that are formulated to solve the problem. After executing the best option, he checked it out whether the solution would fit in to unlock the problem. Based on the solution, the critical thinker assess and make judgement.
Alicia,
Our students are going to need to be able to this in their career area. We all problem solve in one way or another so the more skill we have in proposing solutions the more successful we will be in our careers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sheldon,
You make a good point about sorting through information in order to come up with possible solutions. This is important for students to be able to do. If not they will spend their time chasing resources and not come up with solutions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Sheldon,
Good point and something graduates need to be able to do no matter the field they are entering.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Jeremiah,
Good point about what it takes to be an effective thinker and problem solver. Many students want to jump on the first thing that comes into their mind rather than reserving judgment and doing more in-depth analysis.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I agree, critical thinking allows the student to think out scenerios and apply learned class room techniqes to solve problems.
today, there is so much information from facebook, tweeter, etc. A lot of the information is noise. Students need to fucus on relevant information. As a teacher, I try to focus on the information that will help the student in the real world. Students can sometime be overwhelmed with information.
Critical thinking is waht I'm trying to teach my students. It will do them well in the work place. Spedning time on relevant facts is so important to success.
A critical thinker is one who reserves judgment on any given topic until sufficient evidence exists to support it. This can be a difficult issue in the age of information because so much "evidence" is at hand and without further research we often can arrive a a wrong conclusion.
