What is Critical Thinking? One of the most difficult (and necessary) aspects of learning is the ability to critically think, evaluate or examine a topic / issue / statement or question. Critical thinking involves going beyond identifying, describing or explaining to look behind and beyond the topic. Critical thinking requires us to think laterally when looking for solutions to problems – to think outside what we are use to.

A simple exercise…. Connect the following series of dots with four straight lines without taking your pen off the paper. The solution requires you to think outside the boundaries of what you see on the paper. This is the essence of critical thinking.

Critical Thinking is…. Thinking that is clear, precise, accurate, relevant, logical and consistent. Thinking that reflects a controlled sense of scepticism or disbelief of any assertion, claim or conclusion until sufficient evidence and reasoning is provided to conclusively support it. Thinking that takes stock of existing information and identifies holes and weaknesses, thereby certifying what we know and what we don’t know. Thinking that is free from bias, prejudice and one-sided thought.

So how do we think critically? Challenge / question taken for granted assumptions. Identify bias – Does the writer have an agenda? Be prepared to back up your opinions with gathered personal evidence and factual, referenced evidence. Look at both sides – negative and positive. Offer solutions to identified issues or problems. Show a real depth and breadth of content knowledge P.M.I (Plus, Minus, Interesting) S.P.E.E.E.C.H (Societal, Political, Economic, Environmental, Ethical, Cultural, Historical)

Keys to ‘getting critical’

What are Assumptions? One of the most important aspects of critical thinking is an awareness of assumptions. An assumption is an idea or proposed meaning that is taken for granted, as if it were true. Assumptions are often based upon beliefs that have not had careful consideration of and reflection on all the facts. They become taken for granted over time and they become our ‘default thinking’ and we begin to accept them as true.

Assumptions.. In relation to fitness, exercise, the body Eg. Fit = Healthy Thin = Fit Fat = Unhealthy Regular Exercise = Fitness Fat people are fat because they are lazy

What does “not being critical” look like? Reproducing old learned reactions and stereotypes (which are often potentially damaging). Accepting a face value justifications of organisations, leaders and politicians. Believing media commercials without question. Blindly trusting political commercials. Believing that “if it’s on the web, or in the textbook, it must be right” Accepting and saying that “if that organisation / person does it, it must be right”.

Sheldon on critical thinking… https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uFIvM13uLPw

Application of Critical Thinking We can apply our understanding of critical thinking by applying The Critical Thinking Process. Use the process to critically examine… “You need to be involved in a performance improvement programme in order to improve performance”.