Critical thinking is the process of actively conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach a conclusion. It involves taking existing knowledge and using it to solve new problems. Critical thinking is important because it allows people to form opinions and conclusions based on facts. In the 21st century, critical thinking is especially crucial due to the abundance of information available online, including false information. Teaching students critical thinking skills will help them make effective use of information and question claims. An example of applying critical thinking is evaluating whether the US Constitution remains a living document by considering elements like the Elastic Clause and amendments. Technology like WebQuests can also facilitate critical thinking by guiding research on problems.

1. CRITICAL
THINKING
Michael Fields
Katelynn King

2. WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING?
 Critical thinking is the mental process of actively and skillfully
conceptualizing, applying, analyzing,synthesizing, and evaluating
information to reach an answer or conclusion.
 In other words, critical thinking is the process where we take the
knowledge that we have, expand on it, and solve a new problem.

3. IMPORTANCE OF CRITICAL THINKING
 Critical thinking is important because it allows us to think about certain
issues and them form conclusions or opinions based on what we
already know. It allows us to “think outside the box.”

4. HOW CRITICAL THINKING APPLIES TO
21ST CENTURY EDUCATION
 Today, we have more access to information than we ever have before
thanks to the Internet.We need to teach our students how to use this
information in order for them to become critical thinkers and continue
to achieve greater things and breakthroughs in various areas.
 Critical thinking can also help us to question things we see with out
own knowledge.This is especially important because in the 21st century
because of the Internet and the mass amount of false information that is
out there.
 On social media sites people will share fake news stories or incorrect
political memes. People will use these things to form opinions and this
can become an even bigger problem than it already is.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s6PIrXwt7M

5. EXAMPLE OF APPLICATION
 Critical thinking can applied to several different things.
 For example: History
 There are many questions that can be asked about history that would require one to
think critically.A good example would be:“Is the Constitution a living document?”
 A question such as this one requires one to use a lot of facts about the
Constitutions to help form a conclusion. Some major points of information would
include: Elastic Clause, Judicial Interpretation, and Amendments.
 Using what we know about these elements and others, one should be
able to conclude that the Constitution is in fact a living document
 Also, using what one knows about history can also help them form a
well informed political opinion.

6. ROLE OF TECHNOLOGY
 Technology can play a rather large role in critical thinking.
 One form of technology in particular would be a WebQuest.
 WebQuests start by giving students a task and then sends them on his
or her way to research information and learn facts to come up with a
own solution to the “problem” provided.

7. WORKS CITED
 http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/critical+thinking
 http://www.examiner.com/article/the-importance-of-critical-thinking
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2s6PIrXwt7M