Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Thinking Critically
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
What is critical thinking?
Critical thinking is the process of examining,
analyzing, questioning, and challenging situations,
issues, and information of all kinds.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Elements of critical thinking
• Problem/goal identification.
• Diagnosis.
• Exploration.
• Action: Do it!
• Reflection.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Why is critical thinking important?
• It identifies bias
• It's oriented toward the problem, issue, or situation
being addressing.
• It gives you the whole picture
• It brings in other necessary factors
• It considers both the simplicity and complexity of its
object.
• It gives you the most nearly accurate view of reality.
• It is most likely to help you get the results you want.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Who can (and should) learn to think
critically?
Everyone, from children to senior citizens.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How to help people learn to think
critically
How to be a critical thinking facilitator:
• Affirm learners' self-worth.
• Listen attentively to learners.
• Show your support for critical thinking efforts.
• Reflect and mirror learners' ideas and actions.
• Motivate people to think critically, but help them
to understand when it's appropriate to voice
critical ideas and when it's not.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How to help people learn to think
critically (cont.)
• Regularly evaluate progress with learners.
• Help learners create networks of support.
• Be a critical teacher.
• Make people aware of how they learn critical
thinking.
• Model critical thinking.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How to encourage the critical stance
• Recognize assumptions.
• Examine information for accuracy,
assumptions, biases, or specific interests.
• Consider the context of the information, problem,
or issue.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Facilitating problem solving using
critical thinking
• Identify the assumptions behind the problem.
• Challenge those assumptions.
• Imagine alternatives to what you started with.
• Critique the alternatives.
• Reframe the problem and solution.

Thinking Critically Presentation w Exercise.ppt

  • 1.
    Copyright © 2014by The University of Kansas Thinking Critically
  • 2.
    Copyright © 2014by The University of Kansas What is critical thinking? Critical thinking is the process of examining, analyzing, questioning, and challenging situations, issues, and information of all kinds.
  • 3.
    Copyright © 2014by The University of Kansas Elements of critical thinking • Problem/goal identification. • Diagnosis. • Exploration. • Action: Do it! • Reflection.
  • 4.
    Copyright © 2014by The University of Kansas Why is critical thinking important? • It identifies bias • It's oriented toward the problem, issue, or situation being addressing. • It gives you the whole picture • It brings in other necessary factors • It considers both the simplicity and complexity of its object. • It gives you the most nearly accurate view of reality. • It is most likely to help you get the results you want.
  • 5.
    Copyright © 2014by The University of Kansas Who can (and should) learn to think critically? Everyone, from children to senior citizens.
  • 6.
    Copyright © 2014by The University of Kansas How to help people learn to think critically How to be a critical thinking facilitator: • Affirm learners' self-worth. • Listen attentively to learners. • Show your support for critical thinking efforts. • Reflect and mirror learners' ideas and actions. • Motivate people to think critically, but help them to understand when it's appropriate to voice critical ideas and when it's not.
  • 7.
    Copyright © 2014by The University of Kansas How to help people learn to think critically (cont.) • Regularly evaluate progress with learners. • Help learners create networks of support. • Be a critical teacher. • Make people aware of how they learn critical thinking. • Model critical thinking.
  • 8.
    Copyright © 2014by The University of Kansas How to encourage the critical stance • Recognize assumptions. • Examine information for accuracy, assumptions, biases, or specific interests. • Consider the context of the information, problem, or issue.
  • 9.
    Copyright © 2014by The University of Kansas Facilitating problem solving using critical thinking • Identify the assumptions behind the problem. • Challenge those assumptions. • Imagine alternatives to what you started with. • Critique the alternatives. • Reframe the problem and solution.