Critical Thinking skills are “An ability to use reason to move beyond the acquisition of facts to uncover deep meaning,” according to Robert Weissberg.
In this episode we’ll define Critical Thinking skills, examine why they are necessary and begin to talk about how to teach them.
Word Study: Critical Thinking Skills come from the Greek word “Kriticos” (meaning discerning judgement) and “criterion” (meaning standards). Critical Thinking Skills mean the word implies the development of “discerning judgment based on standards.”
A critical thinker can deduce as well as infer- they are both an information gathering and a problem solver.
Someone with critical thinking skills is able to do the following:
- Solve problems systematically and sequentially with the ability to communicate them clearly
- Understand and identify important ideas and to whom they are relevant
- Make logical connections between ideas, across subject matter and time
- Create, organize, deliver and evaluate arguments
- Identify inconsistencies, errors and fallacies in reasoning
- Reflect on, identify and offer an apologetic for one’s own core beliefs and values
Critical thinkers are constantly building upon their knowledge and experience. They are able to integrate how data and information can be used to develop, recognize and predict patterns of knowledge and behavior.
How do we teach Critical Thinking?
- Training students to question
- Problem-based learning
- Thinking aloud
- Active listening.
- Cooperative conflict resolution
- Concept mapping
- Create assessments beyond quizzes and tests
- Classroom spaces created to accommodates human interaction.
- Gestalt learning
- Teach kids and train ourselves to ask Meta Questions
“Critical thinking skills are far more predictive of making positive life decisions than raw intelligence.” ~ Heather Butler
Resources for Teaching Critical Thinking
Perpeloxors (deductive reasoning puzzles)
Tropes –figures of speech, such as simile, metaphor, alliteration, etc.
https://www.facebook.com/LegendaryShots/videos/377986663112031/
Using Propoganda to teach critical thinking skills
Laughter and Critical Thinking
http://www.jamesbowman.me/post/socratic-questions-infographic.pdf
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