Critical thinking

Presented byPresented by REACHREACH 2009

A Student Success SeminarA Student Success Seminar

(Your success is our goal!)(Your success is our goal!)

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this presentation, the student will:

• Better understand what critical thinking is

• Know why critical thinking is important

• Have some knowledge of the Paul –Elder model of critical thinking

• Accept the challenge to think critically in every class

“Disciplined, self-directed thinking . . . ”*

T H I N K I N

G

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

“ (Thinking) . . . which exemplifies the perfections of thinking. . .”*

T H I N

K I N G

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

In “everyday” language:

• Thinking “outside” the box

• Thinking about thinking

• “Unlimited” thinking

• Divergent thinking

T H I N K I N

G

T H I N K I N

G “The intellectually disciplinedprocess of actively and skillfullyconceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information.”*

* The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.* The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

T H I N

K I N

G

“Critical thinking is the art of analyzingand evaluating thinking with a viewto improving it.”*

*The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts And Tools, 5 ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

T H I N K I N G

“Critical thinking is . . .

• Self-disciplined• Self-monitored• Self-corrective thinking.”*

*The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, 5th ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

T H I N

K I N

G

It concerns itself with 8 elements of thought

• Point of view• Purpose• Questions at issue• Implications and consequences• Information• Interpretation and Inference• Concepts• Assumptions

*The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, 5 ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

Point of View

What are the . . .

– Frames of reference– Perspectives– Orientations

And how do they influence “point of view”?

Purpose

What are the

• Goals

• Objectives

And how do they relate to point of view?

What does critical What does critical thinking involve?thinking involve?

• Making logical inferences(based upon the information presented)

• Drawing logical conclusions(based upon the information presented)

• Higher levels of thinking, such as . . .

•Conceptualizing•Applying•Analyzing•Synthesizing•Evaluating

• Conceptualizing— developing a “mind

picture”

• Applying—putting conceptual info to use

• Analyzing—closely examining, tearing apart or breaking down to really look at

• Synthesizing—pulling things together in a well- organized logical way

• Evaluating—making decisions about; reviewing; assessing; rtc.

ACTIVITIES

TIME PERMITTING, WORK THROUGH ACTIVITIES IN YOUR BOOKLET.

BE SURE TO THINK CRITICALLY!

Why is Critical Thinking Important?

Why Is Critical Thinking Important?

. . . it underlies the basic elements of communication

. . . it plays an important part in social change. . .

. . . it is a path to freedom from half-truths and deceptions

Critical thinking helps us develop:

•Intellectual Humility•Intellectual Autonomy•Intellectual Integrity•Intellectual Courage•Intellectual Perseverance•Confidence in Reason•Intellectual Empathy•Fairmindedness

. . . traits important to the development of a multi-cultural world view and the diminishing of irrational thought!

Characteristics of “cultivated” critical thinkers

Cultivated critical thinkers . . .

Goal: to become cultivated critical thinkers

• Raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;

A well cultivated critical thinker . . .

Raise vital questionsFormulate questions and problems clearly, precisely

By : --raising vital questions --formulating questions clearly and precisely

• Gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively,

•Gather information

•Analyze and assess it

• Evaluate it

By: --gathering information, then --assessing it and determining what it means and what it is worth

• Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;

Draw conclusionsFind solutionsUse relevant criteria to test them

By: --drawing conclusions from the information presented --finding possible, plausible solutions and testing them with relevant criteria

Keep an open mind

By --maintaining an open mind

• Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

Network w/others;keep lines of communication open

By networking with others and maintaining open lines of communication with them and others.

Dare to think outside the box!

To become a cultivated critical thinker:

• Develop a sense of observation and curiosityDevelop a sense of observation and curiosity• Become interested in finding new solutionsBecome interested in finding new solutions• Share ideasShare ideas• Ask pertinent questionsAsk pertinent questions• Assess statements and argumentsAssess statements and arguments• Seek understanding and informationSeek understanding and information

Also . . .

• Examine beliefs, assumptions, and opinions; wei gh them against truth

• Listen to others, think about what they say, give feedback

• Become an open-minded listener and reader

Who Thinks Critically ?

Parents

Nurses

Doctors

Athletic coaches

Teachers/Professors

Who are the critical thinkers?• Parents• Nurses• Athletic coaches• Doctors• Air traffic controllers• Military commanders• Lawyers, Judges• Supervisors• Accountants• Day Care Providers

Who SHOULD think critically?

Link to the test