This document provides an overview of a student success seminar on critical thinking. The learning outcomes are to understand what critical thinking is, why it is important, and learn the Paul-Elder model of critical thinking. Critical thinking is defined as disciplined, self-directed thinking and involves conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. The seminar discusses key elements of thought like purpose, assumptions, and implications. Activities are included to help students think critically. Cultivating critical thinking helps develop traits like intellectual humility, autonomy, integrity, and empathy.

1. A Student Success Seminar
Presented by REACH
2009
(Your success is our goal!)

2. 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

4. G
“Disciplined, IN
K
IN
self-directed TH
thinking . . . ”*
The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

5. “ (Thinking) . . . which exemplifies the
perfections of thinking. . .”* G
IN
K
IN
TH
The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

6. In “everyday” language: G
IN
K
IN
• Thinking “outside” the box TH
• Thinking about thinking
• “Unlimited” thinking
• Divergent thinking

7. G “The intellectually disciplined
IN process of actively and skillfully
K
IN conceptualizing,
TH applying,
analyzing,
synthesizing,
and evaluating information.”*
* The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

8. “Critical thinking is the art of analyzing
and evaluating thinking with a view
to improving it.”*
G
IN
K
IN
TH
*The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking:
Concepts And Tools, 5 ed. The Foundation for
Critical Thinking, 2008.

9. “Critical thinking is . . .
• Self-disciplined
• Self-monitored
K ING • Self-corrective thinking.”*
T HIN
*The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking:
Concepts and Tools, 5th ed. The Foundation
for Critical Thinking, 2008.

10. It concerns itself with 8 elements of thought
• Point of view
• Purpose
• Questions at issue
• Implications and consequences
• Information G
I N
• Interpretation and Inference K
I N
• Concepts T H
• Assumptions
*The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts
and Tools, 5 ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

11. Point of View
What are the . . .
– Frames of reference
– Perspectives
– Orientations
And how do they influence “point of view”?

12. Purpose
What are the
• Goals
• Objectives
And how do they relate to point of view?

13. What does critical thinking
involve?
• Making logical inferences
(based upon the information presented)
• Drawing logical conclusions
(based upon the information presented)
• Higher levels of thinking,
such as . . .

14. • Conceptualizing—
• Conceptualizing
developing a “mind picture”
• ApplyingApplying—
• putting conceptual
info to use
• Analyzing
• Analyzing—
• Synthesizing
examining,
closely
tearing apart or breaking down
• Evaluating
to
really look at
• Synthesizing—pulling
things together in a well- organized
logical way
• Evaluating—making
decisions about; reviewing;
assessing; rtc.

15. ACTIVITIES
TIME PERMITTING, WORK THROUGH ACTIVITIES
Why is Critical
IN YOUR BOOKLET.
ThinkingBE SURE TO THINK CRITICALLY!
Important?

16. W hy I s C ritical T hinking
Critical thinking mportant ?
I helps us develop:
•Intellectual Humility
 •Intellectual Autonomy the basic elements of
. . . it underlies
communication
•Intellectual Integrity
•Intellectual Courage
•Intellectual Perseverance important part in social
. . . it plays an
•Confidence in Reason
change. . .
•Intellectual Empathy
•Fairmindedness
 . . . it is a path to freedom from half-
. truths and to the development of a multi-cultural
. . traits important deceptions
world view and the diminishing of irrational thought!

17. Characteristics of “cultivated”
Goal: to become cultivated critical thinkers
critical thinkers critical
Cultivated
thinkers . . .

18. By : well cultivated critical thinker . . .
A
--raising vital questions
• Raises vital questions and and
--formulating questions clearly
Raise vital questions
precisely
problems, formulating them Formulate questions
and problems clearly, precisely
clearly and precisely;

19. •Gather
information
By:
•Analyze and assess • Gathers and assesses relevant
--gathering information, then
it
information, using abstract ideas to
--assessing it and determining
• Evaluate it interpretwhat it means and what it is
it effectively,
worth

20. Draw conclusions
Find solutions
y: Use relevant
criteria to test them
--drawing conclusions from the information
• Comes to well-reasoned
presented
conclusions and solutions,
--finding possible, plausible solutions and
testing them with relevant criteria
testing them against relevant
criteria and standards;

21. Keep an open
mind
By
--maintaining an open mind

22. Network w/others;
keep lines of communication open
• Communicates effectively with
By networking with others and maintaining
others in of communication with them
open lines figuring out solutions
and others.
to complex problems.

23. To become a cultivated critical thinker:
Dare to think outside
the box!
• Develop a sense of observation and curiosity
• Become interested in finding new solutions
• Share ideas
• Ask pertinent questions
• Assess statements and arguments
• Seek understanding and information

24. 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

25. Who are the critical thinkers?
• Parents Thinks Critically
Who ?
• Nurses
 Parents
• Athletic coaches
• Doctors
Nurses
• Air traffic controllers
Doctors
• Military commanders
• Lawyers, Judges
 Athletic coaches
• Supervisors
• Accountants
Teachers/Professors
• Day Care Providers

26. Who SHOULD think critically?

27. Link to the test