Learning Outcomes

By the end of this presentation, the student will: Better understand what critical thinking is Know why critical thinking is important Have some knowledge of the Paul Elder model of critical thinking

Accept the challenge to think critically in every class

Disciplined, self-directed thinking . . . *

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

 (Thinking) . . . which exemplifies the perfections of thinking. . .*

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

In everyday language: Thinking outside the box Thinking about thinking Unlimited thinking Divergent thinking

The intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information.*

* The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

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

*The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts And Tools, 5 ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

Critical thinking is . . . Self-disciplined Self-monitored Self-corrective thinking.*

*The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, 5th ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

It concerns itself with 8 elements of thought Point of view Purpose Questions at issue Implications and consequences Information Interpretation and Inference Concepts Assumptions

*The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts

and Tools, 5 ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

Point of View
What are the . . .
Frames of reference Perspectives Orientations

And how do they influence point of view?

Purpose
What are the Goals Objectives And how do they relate to point of view?

What does critical thinking involve?

Making logical inferences
(based upon the information presented)

Drawing logical conclusions

(based

upon the information presented)

Higher levels of thinking, such as . . .

 Conceptualizing Applying Applying Analyzing Analyzing Synthesizing Evaluating

use

Conceptualizing
developing a mind picture

putting conceptual info to

closely examining, tearing apart or breaking down to really look at

Synthesizingpulling
things together in a well- organized logical way

Evaluatingmaking decisions
about; reviewing; assessing; rtc.

ACTIVITIES

Why is Critical Thinking Important?

TIME PERMITTING, WORK THROUGH ACTIVITIES IN YOUR BOOKLET. BE SURE TO THINK CRITICALLY!

Why Is C ritical Important? Critical thinking helps T us hinking develop:

Intellectual Humility . . Intellectual . it underlies Autonomy the basic elements of communication Intellectual Integrity Intellectual Courage Perseverance . .Intellectual . it plays an important part in social Confidence in Reason . change. Intellectual.Empathy Fairmindedness

. . . it is a path to freedom from half. truths . . traits important the development of a multi-cultural and to deceptions
world view and the diminishing of irrational thought!

Goal: to become cultivated critical Characteristics of thinkers cultivated critical thinkers Cultivated critical thinkers . . .

--raising vital questions --formulating questions clearly Raises vital questions and and precisely

By well : A cultivated critical thinker . . .

Raise vital questions Formulate questions and problems clearly, precisely

problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;

Gather information Analyze and assess it Evaluate it

--gathering information, then Gathers and assesses relevant --assessing it abstract and determining information, using ideas to it means and what it is interpret itwhat effectively,
worth

By:

By: --drawing conclusions from the information presented Comes to well-reasoned --finding possible, plausible solutions and conclusions and solutions, testing them with relevant criteria testing them against relevant

Draw conclusions Find solutions Use relevant criteria to test them

criteria and standards;

Keep an open mind

By --maintaining an open mind

Network w/others; keep lines of communication open

Communicates effectively with By networking with others and maintaining openin lines of communication with them others figuring out solutions and others. to complex problems.

To become a cultivated critical thinker:

Dare to think outside the box!

Develop a sense of observation and curiosity Become interested in finding new solutions Share ideas Ask pertinent questions Assess statements and arguments Seek understanding and information

Also . . . Examine beliefs, assumptions, and opinions; wei gh them against truth

Listen to others, think about what they say, give feedback

Become an open-minded listener and reader

Who are the critical thinkers? Parents Who Thinks Critically Nurses Parents Athletic coaches Doctors Nurses Air traffic controllers Doctors Military commanders Lawyers, Judges Athletic coaches Supervisors Accountants Teachers/Professors Day Care Providers

Who

SHOULD

think critically?