Critical Thinking in Education

Defining Critical Thinking

Asking pertinent questions

Evaluates statements & arguments

Admits a lack of knowledge & understanding

Curiosity

Seeks new solutions

Actively shares new knowledge

Willing to examine beliefs, assumptions & opinions

Some Attributes of a Critical Thinker:

Distinguishes between facts and opinion

Sees critical thinking as a life-long process of self-assessment

Seeks evidence to support assumptions and beliefs

Open to changing ones mind

ReflectiveSeeks proof

Seeks clarity and exactness

Accepts others beliefs and opinions

Waits till all facts before making judgmentsActively enjoys

learning

Problem solver

Careful and active observer Humility

Critical Thinking Model

Defining Critical Thinking & Describing Critical Thinkers

“Critical thinking is the disciplined mental activity of evaluating arguments [information] or propositions and making judgments that can guide the development of beliefs and taking action.” Ennis (1992)

Critical thinking is both a frame of mind and a set of mental capabilities.

“Critical thinkers: distinguish between fact and opinion; ask questions; make detailed observations; uncover assumptions and define their terms; and make assertions based on sound logic and solid evidence. Ellis, D. Becoming a Master Student, 1997

Perspectives on Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is based on concepts and principles, not on hard and fast, or step-by-step, procedures.

Critical thinking does not assure that one will reach either the truth or correct conclusions.

Circuital thinking is a continuous process and often doesn’t lead to a final conclusion.

Critical thinking is hard intellectual work Critical thinking is an intellectual skill that

can (must) be learned and improved

Perspectives on LearningAll reasoning/thinking/learning: starts and progresses with questions and a

need to understand; occurs within points of view and frames of

reference; proceeds from some goals and objectives,

has an informational base; uses data/information that must be

interpreted and this interpretation involves concepts, values, assumptions, past knowledge, inferences, biases, etc.

Map of Thinking Domains

Scientific Thinking•Understanding/theory•Hypothesis•Experiment(s)•Observations•Conclusion(s)

Creative Thinking•Original Product•Create Possibilities•Create Metaphors•Testing•Refining

Critical Thinking•Critical judgment•Assessing information•Inference-using evidence•Deduction-if…then•New or refined perspective

Decision Making•Well-founded decision•Consider options•Predict consequences•Select best option

Problem Solving•Best solution•Consider options•Evaluate consequences•Choose best solution

Creative Thinking

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Why is Critical Thinking Important?

To learn is to think. To think poorly is to learn poorly. To think well is to learn well. All content, to be learned, must be

intellectually constructed. Memorizing IS NOT learning.

Why Critical Thinking is Important

Underlies reading, writing, speaking, and listening . . . the basic elements of communication, learning and education

Plays an important role in social change Helps us uncover bias and prejudice Is a path to freedom form half-truths, prejudice and

deceptions Creates the willingness to change one point of view as

we continue to examine and re-examine ideas that may seem obvious.

Takes time and the willingness to say three essential words: I don't know.

Enables us to distinguish between fact and opinion, ask good questions, make detailed observations, uncover assumptions and define their terms, and make assertions based on sound logic and solid evidence

Why Critical Thinking is Important

“The future now belongs to societies that organize themselves for learning... nations that want high incomes and full employment must develop policies thatemphasize the acquisition of knowledge and [thinking] skills by everyone, not just a select few.”

Ray Marshall & Marc Tucker, Thinking For A Living: Education And The Wealth of Nations, Basic Books. New York. 1992.

Questions & Critical Thinking

What do you mean by_______________? How did you come to that conclusion? What was said in the text? What is the source of your information? What is the source of information in the document? What assumption led you to that conclusion? Suppose you are wrong. What are the implications? Why did you make that inference? Is another one

more consistent with the data? Why is this issue significant? How do I know that what you are saying is true? What is an alternate explanation for this

phenomenon?

Enabling Learners to Become Quality Critical Thinkers

IDEALS -- Six Steps to Effective Thinking Identify the problem. — “What’s the real question

we’re facing here?” Define the context. — “What are the facts and

circumstances that frame this problem?” Enumerate choices. — “What are our most plausible

three or four options?” Analyze options. — “What is our best course of action,

all things considered?” List reasons explicitly. — “Let’s be clear: Why we are

making this particular choice?” Self-correct. — “Okay, let’s look at it again. What did

we miss?”

Questions?