Critical thinking aims to get students to analyze problems and construct their own answers rather than relying on textbooks. It is important because it helps students learn better by looking more deeply for answers and thinking critically about solutions rather than being given answers explicitly. In the 21st century, technology like blogs, webquests, and social media can be used to promote critical thinking by engaging students in interactive activities that require analysis and creative problem solving. For example, students can be split into groups to brainstorm and prioritize issues in a story using an online tool called GroupMap that allows collaborative mind mapping.

2. Description/Characteristics:
• Critical thinking aims to get students to analyze
and construct answers through thinking rather
than finding an answer in a textbook
• Problem solving
• Creative
• Complex
• Focuses on question
• Forces students to explore different things
CRITICAL THINKING

3. Importance:
Critical thinking is important because if
teachers can get their students to think, they
will be able to learn better. Critical thinking
also makes the student look deeper for an
answer. The student has to think about the
answer instead of being given the answer
explicitly. Critical thinking can also improve
standardized test scores.
CRITICAL THINKING

4. Role in 21st Century:
In this class we have used:
Blogs- virtual vision board
WebQuest- interactive search for information
Zello- walkie talkie discussions
Photoshop- virtual manipulation of photos
Social Media-social interactions using technology
CRITICAL THINKING

5. Implementing Technology:
Blogs: We can use blogs to develop a creative view of
revisioning a certain topic such as updating a classic
piece of literature to modern times.
Webquests: Promotes CT by being an interactive search of
information and then applying this information to
complete an essay that incorporates opinion.
Zello: Socratic seminar- asking several questions
Photoshop: Also uses creativity that inhibits CT by
incorporating thought and artistic development
Social Media: is a way of incorporating socratic seminar in
way that kids are use to and comfortable with.
CRITICAL THINKING

6. Example of application: One very important concept within the pillar of Critical
Thinking is project based learning. It is an awesome way to foster critical thinking
skills and incorporates these skills all at once. In order to promote this pillar inside
the classroom, an excellent educational web tool called GroupMap can be used for
group brainstorming and decision making. It allows you to create your own map and
invite others to contribute to it. There are several ways to incorporate GroupMap
inside the classroom. For instance, students will be split into groups and provided
iPads or laptops per group. A focus question will be given during Reading: “What do
you think the key issues are in this story?” Each team will provide their own
responses and a list of ideas that will be commented on, voted and prioritized. This
web tool can be used for any question given during the class day, promoting critical
thinking.
CRITICAL THINKING

7. Conclusion:
In conclusion, Critical Thinking is a very important,
if not the most important, 21st Century pillar.
Students use critical thinking every single day
inside or outside the classroom, maybe without
even realizing it. As teachers, we should challenge
students to think critically and not develop learned
helplessness.
CRITICAL THINKING

8. http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2015/05/groupmap-boost-students-
-visual-and-critical-thinking-skills.html
http://www.groupmap.com/2013/02/28/lesson-plan-more-effective-
brainstorming-on-a-subject-matter-with-groupmap/
http://www.groupmap.com/
http://www.bestteachersinstitute.org/id98.html
https://globaldigitalcitizen.org/
https://sta.uwi.edu/ct/ctande.asp
*WORKS CITED*