Critical thinking is self-directed thinking that involves analyzing and assessing arguments and information to improve one's thinking. It involves skills like raising vital questions, gathering and assessing relevant information, and coming to well-reasoned conclusions. Critical thinking is important for problem solving, decision making, understanding complex systems, and identifying different perspectives. It plays a key role in the 21st century by helping people question assumptions, think flexibly, make good decisions, and address problems through in-depth analysis. The document emphasizes that critical thinking skills are essential for lifelong learning and success.

1. Critical Thinking
EMILY MILLER, CARLY COOPER, KATHERINE INGEGNERI, & HANNAH BROGAN

2. Description
Critical thinking is that mode of thinking — about any subject, content, or
problem — in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by
skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. Critical thinking is selfdirected, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It
presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful
command of their use. It entails effective communication and problemsolving abilities, as well as a commitment to overcome our native
egocentrism and sociocentrism.

3. Characerisitcs
A well-cultivated critical thinker:

Raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely

Gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret
it effectively

Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against
relevant criteria and standards

4. Characteristics Continued

Thinks open mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing
and assessing, as needs be, their assumptions, implications, and practical
consequences

Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex
problems

5. Importance
Critical thinking is important to:

Exercising sound reasoning in understanding

Making complex choices and decisions

Understanding the interconnections among systems

Identifying and asking significant questions that clarify various points of
view and lead to better solutions

Framing, analyzing and synthesizing information in order to solve problems
and answer questions

6. Role in 21st Century
The 21st century is constantly changing, and the best way to thrive in a time of
change is to use critical thinking to:

Question your assumptions.

Be open to seeing the world in new ways.

Make sure you are working with current information rather than old beliefs.

Understand how to make good decisions more consistently.

Using more in depth thinking to different problems and issues.

Applying the right reasoning in how you analyze and answer decisions about
ways to solve a problem, more importantly effective ways.
Critical Thinking plays a giant role in the success and growth of thought
processes, decision-making, curiosity, and learning capabilities whether it be in the
classroom, work place, or life in general.

7. Implementing Technology
► Prepare the text by
marking stopping points
where students can think
about content
► Student pairs read to each
other and answer
questions; then the class
discusses
► Review prior thought
processes at each
subsequent stopping point
► Conclude with a reflective
discussion
What?
Students summarize
the most important
ideas from the lecture
or assigned reading.
So What?
Now What?
Then students are asked to
determine what is
important about the ideas
they just listed. Why do
they matter? What
difference do they make?
Finally, students brainstorm
actions … what can they
do about the problem or
issue?
Main Point(s)
After Part 1
After Part 2
After Part 3
Relation to Prior
Part
Predict Next Part

8. Five Tools

Youtube- allows people from all over the world to entertain, interact, and
express themselves through videos. It is a place to find music, comedic
videos and even has tutorials.

Photoshop- allows people to crop and edit pictures in many different
ways. This tool can be used to manipulate pictures in any way.

Webquest- is an assignment that allows students to use the internet to learn
about a specific topic. It is a tool that lets the students discover the point
of the lesson on their own.

Podcasts- have a huge variety of topics. The word podcast is a play on
broadcast. People from all over use them to communicate topics such as
education, politics, religion, cars, etc.

9. Five Tools Continued

Blogs- allow people from all over the world to intact and express their
opinions on many topics. Blogs can be used as diaries, scientific journals, or
as a day to day activity that helps people keep in touch with others.

10. One Example - Blogs
Blogs can be used in the classroom for students to keep in touch, share
ideas, and help each other when problems occur. They can also help them
expand on current beliefs. Blogs can be worked on at virtually any time, in
any place with an Internet-enabled computer. Hence, they can be used by
computer savvy teachers to create a classroom that extends beyond the
boundaries of the school yard.

Discussion boards (debates, topics, etc.)

Informative

Tutoring

Motivation

11. Example:

Our classroom would be a group of fifth graders. They will be given an
assignment to blog about something they feel strongly about. After, they
will be asked to expand and comment on at least two other students blog
posts. They will use critical thinking to respond with the best possible ideas.

My fifth grade class will create their own blog using critical thinking on an
opinion they have by the end of the week with 100% accuracy.

12. Conclusion
“If we want to be better critical thinkers, we can be. People can learn how to
recognize assumptions, evaluate arguments, draw conclusions, make better
decisions, and perform more effectively. Critical thinking skills are associated
with learning, a crucial skill for individuals to stay employed and relevant.”
- Anne and Charles Kreitzberg
Critical Thinking’s association with learning emphasizes it’s importance in 21st
century education and the growth/success of all students.

13. Work Cited

http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/our-concept-of-critical-thinking/411

http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2012/07/a-quick-guide-to-21stcentury-critical.html

http://www.education.com/reference/article/Ref_Critical_Thinking/

http://www.agilecriticalthinking.com/Portals/0/WhitePapers/Critical%20Thi
nking%20for%20the%2021st%20Century%20for%20Website.pd