Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking is made of a combination mainly: self-directed thinking and discipline. In everyday language critical thinking is thinking outside the box.
Philip,
You make a number of very good points in relation to how to refine the critical thinking process. By following the process you outline students will able to collect and analyze information from which they can make choices about how to proceed to the next step. This is how critical thinking should operate.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
The "dreaded" word problems in the mathematics classes I teach are essentially these opportunities to show critical thinking skills - what do we know, what are we trying to find, how do we take what we know and align this with an approach that will allow us to find what we want. In addition to this, there are two questions I tell my students they should ask themselves once they believe they have their solution ...
1) Did I answer the question that was asked? All too often students will be asked a two-part question, and neglect to realize there was a second part. I explain that if they were only to turn in one of the two items the boss wants by his/her deadline, the results would not be good.
2) Does my answer make sense? This is the one question that I really emphasize in my class. When I first explain this, I will take my example to extremes to make that point ... there is a big difference between giving a patient 500 mg of medicine compared to 500 kg. Don't list the dose that will bring the Criminal Justice students on the scene.
The real-life examples - as has been stated throughout this discussion - are what really makes critical thinking hit home.
Kim,
The lack of ability at critical thinking is very common so the more experiences we can provide our students in this area of need the more successful they are going to be out in the field.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
Critical thinking is the ability to deduce what a person knows and not just a reccolection or regurgitation of information that was heard somewhere. Further more, it is the ability to take the information he knows and use it to solve a problem. It is unfortunate but true that many of our students are missing the ability to think critcally.
Laxmi,
Right you are and this is a part of thinking that seems to be missing for many students.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
