critical thinking
Critical thinking requires reasoning and the ability to ask questions taking advantage of the many resources avaliable to the student.
Critical thinkers need to know what 'makes then tick' so they know which angle to take when confronted with a paarticular situation and then
over time judgement will be developed
Ann Marie,
Your analysis of how students process information in relation to decision making is right on. They for the most part want to play it safe since their focus in on the current course and the grade they will receive rather than the skills they will develop by branching out in their thinking and taking risks. We need to help them see that it is OK to take these risks and as a result they will be more effective in their long term thinking process.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
yes, I concur that Critical Thinking requires reasoning and the ability to ask questions. It takes time for students to understand exactly what you want them to think about critically and where to find and what to find as valid resources. Some critical thinkers want to know what "makes them tick" however many think that they have no need to which angle to take when confronted with a particular situation. I think instead of "what makes them tick or which angle to take it is more likely students want to play it safe when they problem solve what to do and say and many are not born debaters and are often afraid when confronted with a particular situation thus they have to have time to to develop enough critical thinking and logic to feel comforable expressing their judgement that has developed .
