Critical Thinking

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it.

The Result:

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;
thinks openmindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and
communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It requires rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to overcoming our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.

The Foundation for Critical Thinking - https://www.criticalthinking.org/

Another resource for you: http://www.utc.edu/walker-center-teaching-learning/teaching-resources/ct-ps.php

Place thinking in the heart of the curriculum!

There is a direct relationship between teacher practices and student development of critical thinking. Teachers foster the development of thinking abilities through their practice. Students in classrooms with teachers who model critical thinking begin to develop these abilities themselves. These teachers develop in students the ability to reason through content - the ability to analyze and evaluate information. They teach students to take ideas and apply them to real life problems.

Characteristics of Critical Thinking

Critical thinking involves:

asking questions
defining a problem
examining evidence
analyzing assumptions and biases
avoiding emotional reasoning
avoiding oversimplification
considering other interpretations

Another characteristic of critical thinking identified by many sources is metacognition.

Metacognition is thinking about one's own thinking. More specifically, "metacognition is being aware of one's thinking as one performs specific tasks and then using this awareness to control what one is doing"

Here is the link to another resource for you - "5 Powerful Questions Teachers Can Ask Students"

These questions will increase student thinking and engagement!

http://www.edutopia.org/blog/five-powerful-questions-teachers-ask-students-rebecca-alber