Fedele,
You have written a very well described format for being a critical thinker. These are the steps that should be followed to reach solution.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Critical thinking is taking information and being able to apply it to the appropriate situation. As a nursing instructor we work to help the students learn to critically think. This sounds easy but it is not. Critical thinking and application of the process comes from experience. Once given the skill preparation, people learn to analyze and make appropriate decision on situations based on hands-on and/or experience.
I believe the characteristics of a critical thinker are as follows, having the ability to gather related information from different sources, decipher what information has validity and what information does not, and formulate an informed decission.
Jamie,
Like your definition. If we can help our students to be able to work through the steps you listed then I think we will have done them a great service in relation to their career preparation.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
A critical thinker is one who works through the problem, finding a solution through mistakes but learns from all of it. They also must have the ability to know where research can be done in order to help. Asking questions and always being curious is helpful in critical thinking.
Daniel,
Good definition and a solid foundation upon which to build when problem solving.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I believe a critical thinker is one who will take the time to assess all information from different perspectives and make a sound decicion based on the information given
Tracy,
Like your definition. This is what critical thinking should be about.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Someone who is interested in investigating multiple views through information gathered to realize a conclusion.
Jeanne,
I like your newspaper exercise because it gets the students to thinking about how and what is being presented. The more refinement they can bring to their thought process the better they are going to be at problem solving.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Critical thinkers need to be self directed and selective in obtaining information. They need to be able to judge the sources of their information, pick out reliable sources and then analyze just how reliable the source really is. They then need to be able to pick out the facts, and distinguish these from assumptions or innuendo. They also need to be logical and use common sense, although common sense is not as common as some think. I like to use some newspaper articles with my students and discuss what is fact, what are assumptions, what is innuendo, and how the story is being presented to get people to a certain point of view. It can be a real eye opener at times for beginning students
Mabel,
Good components of what it takes to be a critical thinker. As instructors we need to provide as many opportunities as we can to help students refine their critical thinking skills and become problem solvers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Robert,
Thank you for these excellent comments about how we can facilitate the development of the critical thinking element in our students. Your steps of processing information and situations are right on in terms of helping students to look at situations from different angles and then coming up with potential solutions. Being able to follow these steps will be what makes them valuable out in the work place.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Characteristics of a Critical Thinker would include, in my opinion:
Being informed - but being able to sort through that information using logic (common sense).
Developing the ability to be analytic, paying attention to detail.
Independent judgment is imperative to good critical thinking.
Dear Mr. Meers,
If we think like a "crictical thinker" then we nust realize that if our students are to be successful in future endeavors of employment then they will have to perceive,analyze, and use critical thinkung skills and logic, along with "discerning judgement" to solve situations,work problems and personel relationships throughout adulthood. We hope that our learning experiences that we have shared with them will transfer to assist them in their decision making. We also hope they will be well informed individuals, who are analytical when receiving information, making sure of its accuracy, and using the information in a timely manner to sesolve any problem facing them. As teachers we must also articulate the information that we give to out students in a timely manner, so that they can process the information, analyze and filter it for later problem solving and making an indepenfent judgement on any matter that incolves "critical thinking".
Robert Falite
Eduardo,
I agree because to be problem solvers they need to look at situations from a number of different perspectives.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Teresa,
Good analysis of how critical thinkers become critical thinkers. They understand the experiences they have had and how these experiences can be applied to different problems. This is how they become problem solvers and sought after employees and/or consultants.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Aprilyn,
Your comments are right on in terms of how to get students engaged and focused on being critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In my perspective, critical thinkers should not only understand the material being studied but also see all perspectives possible to make the best decisions or conclusions possible.
Critical thinkers have experience in the topic at hand, and are able to analyze, draw conclusions, and formulate new theories. The experience can result from direct exposure to the topic (hands-on, lecture), or, possibly, through random thoughts that generate end points.
