Critical and Creative Thinking

What is Critical Thinking? What does this mean to you? Analyzing the quality of resources Comparing and Contrasting different points of view Evaluating Arguments Creating your own opinions based on informed thinking

Before we begin... Some basic principles about critical thinking must be discussed What are some ground rules we should follow? Brainstorm with a partner

Principles of Critical Thinking 1) Everyone brings valid and legitimate knowledge constructed from their own contexts What does this mean? Our outlook on the world is constructed by our past experiences We all look at the world through our own ‘lenses’ Our family, culture, religion, education, personality, and life experiences all effect our outlook on the world None of us experience the world in the same way, and all of our experiences are valid

Example of looking through your ‘lenses’ Question: What’s the best sport in the world? How do your past experiences effect this? Think about which sports your parents enjoy, your friends enjoy, which sports are on tv and written about in the newspaper? Do you think these things effect your answer to the above question?

2) All knowledge is partial and incomplete Why is this so? Since we each experience the world in a different way, we need to be open and listen to different people We must look beyond the boundaries of our own ‘lenses’

3) All knowledge can be questioned Why is this important? Questioning is not an attempt to break someone else’s ‘lenses’ Its a way to sharpen and expand our view of the world “It ain't what you don't know that gets you into trouble. It's what you know for sure that just ain't so” – Mark Twain What’s this mean? We should always challenge assumptions

Analyzing Arguments Read the following article After reading... Analyze this argument! What’s your analysis? More importantly: How did you analyze this?

Questions to Help Analyze Arguments After reading, use the following questions to help you analyze this article: What is the author trying to convince me of? What reasons are given to support this? Is the author making any assumptions that they are using as reasons? What are my previous assumptions on this topic? Are you convinced that the author’s information is accurate? Is there anything more we need to find out? Based on your answers to these, is the argument convincing, unconvincing, or uncertain?

After, turn to your partner and compare your answer to question #6 Read the article again, and jot down your answers to these 6 questions as you read After, turn to your partner and compare your answer to question #6 Also discuss how your analysis has changed since the first time you read the article

Analyzing Using Graphic Organizers Some people are better at analysis using visuals Conclusion Reason Reason Reason

Argument Evaluation Checklist 1) Is there anything you need to know to determine if the reasons are accurate? 2) If so, what information do you need? 3) Given the reasons are accurate, do you need any additional information to accept the conclusion? 4) If so, what information do you need? An argument is convincing only if you answer “NO” to questions 1 and 3 above Yes No Yes No

Practice! Using the Graphic Organizers Watch the following video clip Fill in the “Reasons and Conclusions” graph as you watch After the clip, complete the “Argument Evaluation Checklist” Be prepared to discuss with a new partner

What did you learn today? Let’s review... What are the most important things you learned today?