CRITICAL

THINKING

HOW DO WE INTENTIONALLY TEACH IT?

What is critical thinking?

• "The intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action."
• "Disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence"
• "Purposeful, self-regulatory judgment which results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference, as well as explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criteriological, or contextual considerations upon which that judgment is based"
• "Includes a commitment to using reason in the formulation of our beliefs"
• The skill and propensity to engage in an activity with reflective scepticism
• Thinking about one's thinking in a manner designed to organize and clarify, raise the efficiency of, and recognize errors and biases in one's own thinking. Critical thinking is not 'hard' thinking nor is it directed at solving problems (other than 'improving' one's own thinking). Critical thinking is inward-directed with the intent of maximizing the rationality of the thinker. One does not use critical thinking to solve problems—one uses critical thinking to improve one's process of thinking.
• "An appraisal based on careful analytical evaluation"
• "Critical thinking is a type of thinking pattern that requires people to be reflective, and pay attention to decision-making which guides their beliefs and actions. Critical thinking allows people to deduct with more logic, to process sophisticated information and look at various sides of an issue so they can produce more solid conclusions."

Which is the better car to buy?

It depends

WHAT QUESTIONS DO YOU HAVE?

• Which one looks nicer?
• Can you afford it?
• Who is the car for?
• Do you need a new car?
• How will the car be used?
• What are the other cars in the family?
• Which one gets better gas mileage?
• What is the insurance for each of them?

MANY TIMES IN LIFE THERE IS NOT ONE CORRECT ANSWER, THERE ARE JUST WELL INFORMED DECISIONS.

Question to Ponder

What is your definition of critical thinking?

What Is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information objectively and make a judgment or decision.

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It is purposeful, logical, balanced, and considers all parts of the problem.

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Through critical thinking we achieve an in-depth understanding and make better decisions.

What Is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information objectively and make a judgment or decision.

​

It is purposeful, logical, balanced, and considers all parts of the problem.

​

Through critical thinking we achieve an in-depth understanding and make better decisions.

Parts of critical thinking?

Bumper stick definition

Why teach critical thinking?

Survey looking at the public’s attitudes toward critical thinking and critical thinking education

“HEAT INDEX: YOUR GUIDE TO THE BEST OF SUMMER,” WAS PROVIDED BY KING FEATURES SYNDICATE, A UNIT OF HEARST. MARCO BUSCAGLIA, THE AUTHOR OF THE SPECIAL SECTION, ADMITTED HE USED AI TO ASSIST PUTTING IT TOGETHER, INCLUDING THE RECOMMENDED READING LIST, AND FAILED TO FACT CHECK THE OUTPUT.

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The list featured many real authors but attributed nonexistent books to them, like Tidewater Dreams by famed Chilean-American writer Isabel Allende, who’s written more than 20 novels. But TidEWATER DREAMS, A “CLIMATE FICTION NOVEL THAT EXPLORES HOW ONE FAMILY CONFRONTS RISING SEA LEVELS WHILE UNCOVERING LONG-BURIED SECRETS,” ISN’T ONE OF THEM.

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In a nutshell

Reason with evidence

Make sound judgments

Think for themselves

How do you teach critical thinking?

HOW DO YOU

CRITICALLY

THINK?

Levels of Implementation

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Implicitly:

Critical thinking is frequently taught as a byproduct of other subjects, through activities like class discussions, debates, and case studies.

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Embedded in curriculum:

Skills like asking questions, evaluating sources, and synthesizing information are often incorporated into state standards and across subjects.

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Explicitly:

Some teachers dedicate time to explicit instruction, but they face significant challenges.

What is the CHESS system?

Question

When playing chess or any sort of game where you must make an informed decision, what process do you go through?

HAVING A SYSTEM MATTERS

<the core>

<principles of>

<critical thinking>

Characteristics of

Evaluate

Synthesize

C

Criticize

H

Hypothesize

E

S

CRITICAL

THINKERS

Solve

S

Criticize

We must criticize. This does not mean to attack or find fault. Instead we seek to understand. It is different than cynicism.

• What is the intent (what does this mean)?
• Dealing with initial thoughts/feelings (Avoiding rash decisions)
• Considering the context or big picture

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The Skeptic

Hypothesize

• Imagining multiple possibilities
• Running scenarios through your head (what ifs)
• Deciding what information you need to gather?

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What questions do you have in trying to make an educated/informed guess?

The Wonderer

Evaluate

• Determining which information is valuable
• Being mindful of bias
• Deciding if you need to look further or deeper

How do you find answers and determine whether you are getting the right kind and right amount of information to be able to make a wise decision?

The Explorer

Synthesize

How do you become a thinker rather than a restater?

• Bringing your own experiences and combining it with the information you have gathered.
• Willingness to explore new ideas
• Landing on a balanced solution

The Detective

Solve

• Act on your decision
• Communicate what you have decided in the most effective way possible
• Determine how can you use this newfound information in future situations?

Your solution is only as good as your ability to tell others about it.

The Communicator

CHESS in action

How to learn further?