Beverly,
This is so true and yet something that many students are not willing to invest in acquiring. The more you know the more options you have from which to come up with a solution. Acquiring this knowledge requires hard work and self discipline something many of our students don't want to do. Those that do can see the results in their career development and success. I bring these students back into my courses and have them share their message with my current students so they will be motivated to learn even more.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think one of the most important characteristics of a critical thinker is to be informed. They need to be able to pull from previous knowledge or research (if a new subject area)to be able to analyze and make sound decisions or conclusions.
Eurico,
Right you are about what it takes to be a critical thinker. Your last sentence says a lot about what the students need to be able to do if they are going to become critical thinkers and problem solvers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Critical thinker is a researcher, it might be from reading a book, or learning from the media or from lecture and practicals by then a person could think more nice ideas after gathering all the facts. The ideas have been balance and and applicable to what you are thinking.
Mike,
You make a very good point about how critical thinkers approach situations. This follows the idea of the more you know the more choices you have in terms of selecting a viable solution to a problem.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I enjoyed the reading on critical thinkers being able to sort out information, separating fact from non fact, and applying it to themselves as they see that they can. I find this to be very true. Critcal thinkers find truth,and are well grounded in the subject at hand. They have alot of information, not just a little
Some characteristics of a critical thinker include being able to parse information and discern what is necessary, credible, factual, and relevant. I am one of the youngest educators on our campus, and I grew up in a similiar environment to many of our young students today, and I am thankful for my ability to think and reason critically without relying completely on technology for all the answers.
The ease at which information is readily available through the internet and technology is remarkable, but a critical thinker must be able to stand above the flood of information and determine for themselves what is relevant, and why.
Michael,
This is a very important skill to have because it keeps the entire class involved in the discussion rather than just the one student. This process also gets the other students thinking about possible answers to the question being discussed so the critical thinking is spread among and between everyone.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
From the point of view of a chef-instructor, I believe that one of the most important characteristics of a critical thinker is to be able to answer student questions in such a way as to get the other students in the classroom involved in a discussion while answering the original question, and,through my guidance, teach them all how to think critically and use logic to formulate a well thought out answer on their own with the information that they have already learned about whatever topic we happen to be covering.
I whole heartedly agree; I enjoy it when students assist one another in answering some of the questions that they know the answers to, but due to fear of appearing too forward or acting like a "know-it-all", may not volunteer right away. Not only does the critical thinker understand the why and how, but they also have the ability to convey their understanding to others.
Cara,
This is a very important way to approach problem solving. The more angles you approach the problem from the more options will come to mind in terms of possible solutions.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I think that a characteristic of critical thinking is the ability to look at a problem from many dictions. Not just to see it from one way, but many. There is always more than one way to solve a problem. To be open minded to more than just one way of looking at things.
Charlotte,
Great list of characteristics for developing critical thinkers. Each item on the list is an essential part of the process needed to develop skill sets in students as they strive to become problem solvers.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
As I perceive it, a critical thinker has a few main aspects in common with other critical thinkers:
a. Curiosity. At some fundamental level, someone who wants as much information as possible will have more interesting methods for parsing that information.
b. Humility/Open-mindedness. Not assuming correctness in every assumption leads to making less quick assumptions.
c. Patience. It takes more time to gather data and come to a rational conclusion than it does to extrapolate from a single instance.
Critical thinkers are able to channel their intuition and convey their understanding of this information to others.
Mark,
Like your thinking style and thought process. I come from a background that involves ranching and construction work. In those situations common sense and fore thought were essential if we were to be successful. We need to provide our students experiences that help them see the value of self discipline and personal effort as it relates to career success.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
In todays society, people have been disabled from being considered a critical thinker! Common sense and fore thought go along way in life. Personally my style of teaching is to be real world and make sure you use your head before you react.
Omolola,
This is a very good observation. I have observed the same thing with my own students. This is why we instructors need to use activities that will engage all of our students and give our more timid students opportunities to share their thoughts and give input.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
This may sound strange, but I have noticed from experience that very brilliant and well analyzed points have come from timid individuals who seemed not too sure of what they were saying and even gave room to listeners to correct them. I have confirmed, over and over, that most outspoken students during their first week in my class, are usually average students. The critical thinkers are somewhat quiet and reserved.
Robert,
This is a very good point. If you don't look outward or are wiling to listen to new ideas then the options from which you can chose to solve a problem are limited. The skill that needs to be developed is the ability to think through and then select the best option for that problem based upon the information you have collected.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
