Critical Thinking Book Review

Book review for ED 6117
by Dan Gutterud
Summer 2009
A Miniature Guide (For Those Who Teach) On How to Improve Student Learning30 Practical Ideas
by
Dr. Richard Paul
and
Dr. Linda Elder
fromcriticalthinking.org

Educational psychologist
President of the Foundation for Critical Thinking
Executive Director of the Center for Critical Thinking
Taught college level psychology and critical thinking
Presented to more than 20,000 educators
Co-author of four books, eighteen guides, and a column on critical thinking (“Fellows of the foundation”)

Dr. Richard Paul
Research and Professional Development at the Center for Critical Thinking, Director
National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, Chair
Author of eight books and 200+ articles on the subject.
University professor for over 20 years.
Recipient of numerous honors and awards (“Fellows of the foundation”)
Dr. Linda Elder
Images fromwww.criticalthinking.org

Critical Thinking
“It is important for students be placed in situations in which they must apply what they are learning to personal experiences and situations”(Wetzel, 2008).
Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Critical Thinking
“No matter what your circumstance or goals, no matter where you are, or what problems you face, you are better off if your thinking is skilled. As a manager, leader, employee, citizen, lover, friend, parent — in every realm and situation of your life — good thinking pays off”(Elder & Paul, 2001).

My Top Ten Practical Ideas for Improving Student Learning
Of the 30 ideas in the book, these are the ten that I will focus on the most with my students. The ideas are numbered as they are in the book.

Idea #6Think of Yourself as a Coach
Image fromwww.flickr.com

Idea #2
Encourage
students
to think
about their
thinking

Idea #15Ask questions
that probe
understanding
Richard Paul image from criticalthinking.org

Idea #4Use engaged lecture
Image from www.flickr.com

Idea #12Design instruction so students engage in routine practice in internalizing
and applying the concepts they are learning
(and in evaluating their understanding of each)

Idea #29Use tactics
that encourage active learning

Idea #27Design tests with the improvement
of student thinking in mind

Idea #18
Bring intellectual standards into daily use
graphic from https://louisville.edu/ideastoaction/what/critical-thinking/paul-elder-critical-thinking-model

Idea #9Make course work intensive for students not you

Idea #10Relate content to issues, problems& practical situations in the lives of students

YOU ARE INVITED!!
Be sure to go to my blog on this topic at:
http://room13all-stars.blogspot.com
Please weigh in with your thoughts on critical thinking.
Also, visitmy wiki at:
http://room13allstars.pbworks.com

References:
Elder, L. & Paul, R. (2001). Becoming a critic of your thinking. Retrieved June 16, 2009 from http://www.criticalthinking.org/page.cfm?PageID=478&CategoryID=68
Elder, L. & Paul, R. (2002). How to improve student learning: 30 practical ideas. DillonBeach, CA: The Foundation of Critical Thinking.
Fellows of the foundation for critical thinking: Dr. linda elder. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2009 from http://www.criticalthinking.org/ABOUT/Fellow_Linda_Elder.cfm
Fellows of the foundation for critical thinking: Dr.richardpaul. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2009 from http://www.criticalthinking.org/ABOUT/Fellow_Richard_Paul.cfm
Hoffman, S., John, E., Sellards, J. (2006) I don’t feel like Dancin’ [Recorder by Scissor Sisters]. On Tah-Dah [iTunes download]. London: Polydor.
Letterman, D. (Speaker). (n.d.). I have here a copy of tonight’s top 10 list (wav file). Retrieved June 20, 2009 from http://resources.bravenet.com/audio_clips/movies_tv/
Wetzel, D.R. (2008). 10 math teaching tips for elementary school. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from http://teachertipstraining.suite101.com/article.cfm/ 10_math_teaching_tips_for_elementary_school#ixzz0JB6ZEgVj&C