Critical Thinking CORE PRINCIPLES

What is critical thinking? Critical thinking skills help us solve problems, be innovative and creative, and extract meaning from situations we face. Critical thinking is a process that focuses on analysing and evaluating information that we are exposed through observation, experience or communication. The core of critical thinking is being responsive to that information and not just accepting it. Questioning is the most important aspect of critical thinking and key to develop new and more complex understandings about our society and environments. PACE2

Observe and draw conclusions Make detailed observations about objects, situations or information so that you can draw conclusions or make judgments based on those observations. Ask the "why" question about those observations to trigger your own conclusions. 'Why is this happening?' 'Why am I feeling like this? Observation and conclusions PACE3

Compare and contrast items and topics. This allows you to categorise and appraise information Making comparisons and contrasting PACE4

Discuss, analyse and assess stories, events, situations, processes. Ask questions such as ― 'What is the meaning of this story?' ― 'What is the impact of this event? ― Is this process efficient? ― What can I do to ensure this situation will not occur again? Analysis PACE5

Learn cooperatively Think of the meaning of a situation from the point of view of different stakeholders. Get the opinions and perspectives of others involved in any given situation and incorporate their views into your analysis. Incorporating different perspectives PACE6

Always think critically!