1. Critical Thinking in the 21st Century
by
Eric Starr, Hollie Keesee, and Kelli Hudnall
2. What is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and
skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or
evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation,
experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to
belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal
intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity,
accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good
reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness.
3.
4. Importance in Education
•
Do Away With Memorization
•
Asking Why?
•
Collaborating Ideas
•
Wanting to Learn the Material
5. Application
Engage students in assignments that stray away from activities such as
testing and worksheets to promote thinking and problem solving skills
that allows students to think outside the box and explore a topic
together. The main goal is to get your students to start “thinking about
thinking.”
7. Detailed Example of Application
- Students create a group blog of the most important things
Ben Franklin accomplished.
- Ex. One group would mention his role in the American
Revolution rather than him creating the U.S. Postal Service.
- Other students will be asked to comment on these posts
and explain if they agree or disagree with their statements.
- This is a way for students to think critically while learning
new materials. This is overall a better option than giving
the students a test and asking them to list dates, inventions,
etc.
8. Works Cited
Glaser, Edward M. "Defining Critical Thinking." The Critical Thinking Community. Foundation for Critical Thinking. 2012. Web. 3 Dec. 2013
< http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766 >
Kharbach, Med. “What Does Critical Thinking Mean in Education?” 2012. Web. 3 Dec. 2013
<http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/09/critical-thinking-learning.html>
Mabe, Lisa. “The Importance of Applying Critical Thinking to Children's Learning .“ Surry Community College. Web. 4 Dec. 2013
<http://www.surry.edu/portals/0/mabe_importance.pdf>
Strategies and Tactics for Critical Thinking." CriticalThinking.NET. Ed. Robert H. Ennis. N.p., Nov. 2013. Web. 3 Dec. 2013.
<http://www.criticalthinking.net/howteach.html>
