The essence of the independent mind lies not in what it thinks, but in how it thinks.
The process of rethinking, reviewing, evaluating, and revising a thought, is a sort of a mental attitude about "Thinking and its processes". It's about mindset of looking at the world in a analytical way.
The Art of Critical Thinking !! !..To put the heads, hearts & hands together.
In a life situation;
"Critical Thinking is an objective analysis and evaluation of a task/an issue, that helps to form a judgement".
It refers to the ability to absorb information objectively to make a reasoned judgement, yet in a self directed, self motivated and self corrective thought pattern.
We use critical thinking skills every day when we: • decide whether to accept the whatsapp forward or request for an email. • choose the more important points that are need to be included in a discussion • choose a product from a vast range on a supermarket aisle
selection of electives or streams
Critical thinking enables one to think clearly and analyse independently to make properly informed decisions. Approaching small and large decisions critically enables one to make better choices.
As we all know, we have more information today than we know and need. We don’t need people who can only retain and repeat information. We need those who can also use it for innovative solutions, which will lead the way to anew.
Tap & Track the younger generation, to link to the New
In Education: Advanced critical thinking skills give students an edge
A critically thinking learner, on entering a question into Google would analyse who has written it and why, in lieu of reading and accepting it as facts and will look at the number of responses/reviews, reliability, before forming an opinion. (following the 5 step process)
Advanced critical thinking skills will enable students to stand out in their learning and in everyday life.
Follow the "5" step process to develop the 8 "A"s:
Ask the right questions
Analyse to work out what is and isn’t valuable information
Assemble together a convincing argument
Assert themself for a challenge and improve ideas
Apply to see things from different perspectives
Acknowledge to recognize how messages are aimed at
Argue persuasively.
Adapt and make informed choices about everything from study and research.
How do we do it? .......
Develop critical thinking skills in the learner.
"Give me Five", "My Critical Thinker"
Step 1. Encourage "Active Listening & Speaking"
By asking your learner to summarise clearly what they have seen or read (an article, a news report, a book). Being able to articulate an idea clearly, in their own words is a good sign that learner have understood rather than simply repeating it verbatim. Step 2. Help them develop their "Debating Skills".
The ability to see any issue from different perspectives helps to broaden one's understanding of it. Debating is a great way to learn to do that.
Step 3. Get them "Thinking on their feet".
How to approach new subjects and problems creatively and come up with angles they haven’t thought of before, will expose the learner to different situations and solutions. Step 4. Cultivate "Curiosity".
Curiosity fuels learning, Encourage your learner to be curious and to ask questions about areas of life that go unchallenged. Step 5. Encourage "Creative thinking".
The ability to think creatively is also a vital component of critical thinking and problem solving.
Some examples to guide the learner think critically -
1. On different situations &
2. About the media they consume Remember! Thinking caps on !!!
Integrate Critical thinking in learning - Plans/Pedagogy
"To benefit the benefited, in the classroom"
Relate Critical thinking to Life situations-
Some Inferences to get one thinking -
"Example : Interview situation"
As learner gets older and ready to face the challenges of life, there will increasingly open-ended questions.
Generally there is no right answer to these questions, the questioner may just wants to understand how the learner is approaching them.
Real Life Application - Education is not a preparation of Life, but Life itself.
"Turn a Good Idea Into a Great One With the 'Six Thinking Hats"
Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats technique for critical thinking and problem solving is an extremely useful tool, to prepare one for life and its challenges. The technique encourages one to approach from all possible angles and formulate the best possible solution to any task/problem.
"We don't teach, We inspire to Ignite"
Inspire and Ignite the younger generation to go beyond the known and obvious to develop the kind of thought-through perspectives that help them to stand out and thrive in school and beyond.
Though a long way to go - Cheers!
Comments