Thinking skills
Introduction
Introduction
Sometimes, it can be very difficult to tell the difference between what is true, and what is not. This can be true especially when information comes from an established source such as a popular brand, a respectable news source, or from a popular celebrity or political figure.
Sometimes, it can be very difficult to tell the difference between what is true, and what is not. This can be true especially when information comes from an established source such as a popular brand, a respectable news source, or from a popular celebrity or political figure.
It is really important to think critically when finding and using information, especially from online sources. The internet is largely unregulated, which means anyone, including you, can essentially create anything and present it as true or reliable information.
It is really important to think critically when finding and using information, especially from online sources. The internet is largely unregulated, which means anyone, including you, can essentially create anything and present it as true or reliable information.
The most simplistic definition of critical thinking is simply not believing anything you read, see or hear!
The most simplistic definition of critical thinking is simply not believing anything you read, see or hear!
Thinking skills self assessment
Thinking skills self assessment
Let's start by seeing what you hope to gain from this page and look at how confident you feel about this skill:
Let's start by seeing what you hope to gain from this page and look at how confident you feel about this skill:
What this means for you as a college student
What this means for you as a college student
In college you will be expected to apply 'critical thinking skills' when you listen to, read about or write around the subjects and topics you are studying. Applying thinking skills to this form of information involves:
In college you will be expected to apply 'critical thinking skills' when you listen to, read about or write around the subjects and topics you are studying. Applying thinking skills to this form of information involves:
- Taking a step back from information
- Taking a step back from information
- Looking at it from different viewpoints and perspectives
- Looking at it from different viewpoints and perspectives
- Breaking the information down into its component parts
- Breaking the information down into its component parts
- Deciding if the information is accurate and logical
- Deciding if the information is accurate and logical
- Compare or contrast the information with other opinions
- Compare or contrast the information with other opinions
- Explain how these different views where reached
- Explain how these different views where reached
- Be able to argue in favour of one viewpoint over another
- Be able to argue in favour of one viewpoint over another
As a college student, books, journal articles and magazines should be treated with the same scepticism as any other source of information. Sometimes this can be incredibly difficult to do, especially when a book has been written by an expert, who has worked on a subject for years whilst you might be new to the subject.
As a college student, books, journal articles and magazines should be treated with the same scepticism as any other source of information. Sometimes this can be incredibly difficult to do, especially when a book has been written by an expert, who has worked on a subject for years whilst you might be new to the subject.
To ensure you have an informed opinion on any subject, it is important to read widely on the same subject. Taking different authors opinions and viewpoints to see which you agree with, if any!
To ensure you have an informed opinion on any subject, it is important to read widely on the same subject. Taking different authors opinions and viewpoints to see which you agree with, if any!
Thinking skills for when you listen
Thinking skills for when you listen
1. Check for consistency in what is being said - when listening, does the person speaking flip flop around the subject being discussed?
1. Check for consistency in what is being said - when listening, does the person speaking flip flop around the subject being discussed?
2. Does the person speaking give the impression physically that they believe what they are saying?
2. Does the person speaking give the impression physically that they believe what they are saying?
Thinking skills for when you read
Thinking skills for when you read
1. Identify the point the writer is making
1. Identify the point the writer is making
2. Assess the point the writer is making
2. Assess the point the writer is making
3. Decide if there is a hidden point being made
3. Decide if there is a hidden point being made
4. Identify the evidence in the writing which supports the point being made
4. Identify the evidence in the writing which supports the point being made
5. Be prepared to judge this evidence
5. Be prepared to judge this evidence
6. Identify the writers' conclusion
6. Identify the writers' conclusion
7. Decide on the evidence supports this conclusion
7. Decide on the evidence supports this conclusion
Thinking skills for when you write
Thinking skills for when you write
1. Be clear on your own viewpoint about the subject you are writing about
1. Be clear on your own viewpoint about the subject you are writing about
2. Build a clear argument
2. Build a clear argument
3. Present and describe evidence to support your view
3. Present and describe evidence to support your view
4. Address issues from multiple viewpoints
4. Address issues from multiple viewpoints
5. Combine evidence and issues to build your position
5. Combine evidence and issues to build your position
6. Write in a critical style, avoid personal terms
6. Write in a critical style, avoid personal terms
7. Judge you own work against the criteria above
7. Judge you own work against the criteria above
In conclusion
In conclusion
Everyone has the ability to think critically. You do it every day without necessarily being aware of the process. But it is important to remember that nobody can think critically for you.
Everyone has the ability to think critically. You do it every day without necessarily being aware of the process. But it is important to remember that nobody can think critically for you.
In an academic context, critical thinking is incredibly important. You must not take anything for granted and question constantly.
In an academic context, critical thinking is incredibly important. You must not take anything for granted and question constantly.
In a digital age of mass information, and misinformation, thinking critically is more important than ever.
In a digital age of mass information, and misinformation, thinking critically is more important than ever.
Anyone can copy and paste information and ideas from the internet without engaging their brain, but it takes a conscious effort on your part as a student to evaluate and utilise the information you discover.
Anyone can copy and paste information and ideas from the internet without engaging their brain, but it takes a conscious effort on your part as a student to evaluate and utilise the information you discover.
Your thoughts, beliefs and opinions are unique and, most of all, VALID. Your opinion matters, and you have the right to challenge any and all information which you disagree with.
Your thoughts, beliefs and opinions are unique and, most of all, VALID. Your opinion matters, and you have the right to challenge any and all information which you disagree with.
By applying you critical thinking skills to any topic, you will learn to understand the key concepts and be able to decide for yourself what you believe are the most important aspects.
By applying you critical thinking skills to any topic, you will learn to understand the key concepts and be able to decide for yourself what you believe are the most important aspects.
Critical thinking is a lifelong pursuit and, with practice over time, your skills will improve. Why not practice now?
Critical thinking is a lifelong pursuit and, with practice over time, your skills will improve. Why not practice now?
Final thinking skills self assessment
Final thinking skills self assessment
Finally, let's look at what you have taken away from this page and how confident you feel about finding information now:
Finally, let's look at what you have taken away from this page and how confident you feel about finding information now: