A PowerPoint on critical thinking in education.

1. Critical Thinking
BY REBECCA KILVER, RUSSELL PARKS, AND ANTHONY LOVEDAY

2. Definition
oCritical thinking is analyzing an issue in order to
form a judgment. The use of critical thinking in
the classroom promotes deeper learning and
the formation of opinions. It lets students think
for themselves.

3. Importance
o Explore
o Experience
o Integration of Disciplines
oAll of the other pillars require students to think critically in
order to work. For instance, global studies requires the
students to think about things on a global scale rather than
locally

4. Some Uses in Technology
o ASSURE-Find what works & change what doesn’t
o21st Century Education-A pillar that the others can be
based on.
o WebQuest-Think of project in new way
o Digital Imaging-Better analyze images
o Social Networking-Making a group for the class can lead to
discussions which will get students thinking from different
view points outside of the classroom.

5. Example
In a lesson in a high school history class, students are being taught about different leaders in the
World War II era. The students are assigned a leader and given a web quest pertaining to the
leader, which leads to an assignment in which the students write a journal from that leader’s
point of view.
Students in a math class are required to make a video that demonstrates how to solve an
equation, but must do so in a creative way.

6. Other Uses in Technology
oQR’s & Voki- Put life experiences in the classroom (i.e. make
Vokie talk like real person talking about real events; not in actual
presentation, but thought I would elaborate for you guys)
o Blogs- Able to defend own beliefs in public setting and discuss
class subjects outside of the classroom.
o Secondlife- Learn more about different perspectives and
experience “life” in classroom
oWeb 2.0- Analyze content to find best fit for project

7. Last Uses of Critical Thinking
o YouTube & Storytelling- Explore diverse points of view
o Media & Materials- Ability to present new information
and debate.
o Podcasts- Allows student to learn about a different
perspective

8. Critical Thinking in Blogs
o Learn about other perspectives and cultures
o Interdisciplinary
o Defend beliefs
o Ability to discuss real life events