Critical thinking is defined as disciplined, clear, rational, and evidence-based thinking. It involves assessing the validity and worth of ideas. Critical thinking is important for success in higher education and careers as it allows students to better understand concepts, analyze different viewpoints, and develop problem-solving skills. In the 21st century, critical thinking is important for effective learning and instruction as it involves asking questions, gathering information, developing reasoned conclusions, and communicating effectively. Various tools like storytelling, YouTube, podcasts, and social media can be used to promote critical thinking in teaching by engaging students and encouraging creativity.

1. CRITICAL THINKING
JOHN ADKINS
KAYLA BECNEL
RACHEL HUTCHISON
KATIE KENDRICK

2. CHARACTERISTICS:
• Definition: "disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded,
and informed by evidence"
• Convergent and non-convergent thinking
• Assesses worth and validity
• Involves persistent analysis

3. IMPORTANCE:
• Necessary to succeed in higher education and the workplace
• Students are better able to understand the “why”
• Better analyze circumstances surrounding occurrences/differing viewpoints
• Forces students to look at information as a process
• Develops skills of recognition/prediction
• Evaluating information/sources
• Help students learn appropriate ways to use discretion/utilizing credible information
• This will in turn improve reading comprehension/problem-solving skills
• Develop a systematic way of thinking/learning/working
• Increase in Creativity, Performance, and Literacy

4. ROLE IN 21ST CENTURY:
• Effective learning through critical thinking (students):
• Asking questions
• Gathering/assessing relevant information
• Developing well-reasoned conclusions/solutions
• Effective communication
• Effective instruction through critical thinking (teachers):
• Deeply engaging content
• Focusing on fundamental/ powerful concepts
• Concrete/ abstract examples
• Explicitly spell out intellectual standards

5. STORYTELLING
• Creates an interest in learning by giving the students the ability to
narrate and create their own "movie"
• Gives the students control
• Makes learning more fun and exciting
• Allows for creativity
• Critical thinking is used in developing the narrative

6. YOUTUBE
• Allows students to be creative while engaging and learning a useful tool
• Research a specific topic and then choose a viewpoint
• Then create a “dramatic question”
• (Thesis)
• Learn to use the library/Internet to research
• Analyze
• Synthesize
• Ask Questions/Express Opinion
• Construct Narratives
• Promotes “gains in emotional intelligence”

7. ZELLO
• A walkie-talkie app that can be downloaded with any smartphone, tablet, or PC
• A fast and easy way to communicate with students, parents, and teachers
• Record your voice and get a response within seconds
• Ask questions about tests, schedule parent-teacher conferences, or give out
homework assignments
• This can be used in life to stay connected with students, parents, and teachers on
an appropriate, professional level
• Critical Thinking:
• Thought provoking questions for the next day

8. FACEBOOK
• A social media site that can be used from your smartphone or computer.
• You can use it for your class to:
• Build a bond between two or more students.
• Build a bond between the instructor and the students.
• Upload assignments:
• Updates
• Changes
• Critical thinking:
• Posting videos that relate to topics discussed-our analysis of
that video

9. PODCASTS
• You can record a lecture using Podcast
• The benefits of recording lectures are:
• Reiterating what the teacher taught in class.
• If the student missed a day, they can play the recording.
• Benefits for the hearing and seeing impaired.
• Give extra information to benefit the student, but not as a requirement.
• Critical thinking:
• Theoretical questions
• Communicate answers back via Facebook

10. POWERPOINT

12. CONCLUSION
“The Important Thing Is To Not Stop Questioning. Curiosity Has Its Own Reasoning
For Existing.”
-Albert Einstein

13. WORKS CITED
Buchanan, A. (n.d.). In Integrating Critical Thinking Skills Into the Classroom.
Retrieved from http://www.accessexcellence.org/LC/TL/Buchanan/.
”Drive Belonging and Engagement in the Classroom”.Using Facebook.
Retrieved from http://www.marshall.edu
Elder,Linda. and Paul,Richard. Journal of Developmental Education.
Fall 2001.Vol.25.Issue 1,p.40.2p.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Critical+thinking.
”Podcasts in Education.” Retrieved from: www.marshall.edu
Robin,Bernard.The Educational Uses of Digital Storytelling.
Retrieved from www.marshall.edu.
Simmons, N.Characteristics of Critical Thinking and Decision Making.
retrieved from http://www.studymode.com/essays/Characteristics-Of-Critical-Thinking-987071.html.
”The Importance of Teaching Critical Thinking”.Global Digital Citizen. Web. 3 Oct. 2014.