Western Education and Critical Thinking

Western Education and Critical Thinking Many students who come from countries outside of the West have difficulty understanding Western education.

Western Education and Critical Thinking Many students who come from countries outside of the West have difficulty understanding Western education. Western students don’t do a lot of memorizing

Western Education and Critical Thinking Many students who come from countries outside of the West have difficulty understanding Western education. Western students don’t do a lot of memorizing Western students can disagree with professors

Western Education and Critical Thinking Many students who come from countries outside of the West have difficulty understanding Western education. Western students don’t do a lot of memorizing Western students can disagree with professors Western students are required to use critical thinking

Western Education and Critical Thinking Education is different in their home countries:

Western Education and Critical Thinking Education is different in their home countries: There is more of an emphasis on memorization

Western Education and Critical Thinking Education is different in their home countries: There is more of an emphasis on memorization Students respect professors and accept their views

Western Education and Critical Thinking Education is different in their home countries: There is more of an emphasis on memorization Students respect professors and accept their views The goal is to learn the knowledge of the society, not to create unusual new ideas

Western Education and Critical Thinking For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is considered “Traditional”:

Western Education and Critical Thinking For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is considered “Traditional”: The knowledge base is required for survival

Western Education and Critical Thinking For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is considered “Traditional”: The knowledge base is required for survival The goal of education is to teach the knowledge base

Western Education and Critical Thinking For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is considered “Traditional”: The knowledge base is required for survival The goal of education is to teach the knowledge base Professors are the experts

Western Education and Critical Thinking For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is considered “Traditional”: The knowledge base is required for survival The goal of education is to teach the knowledge base Professors are the experts. Students are not qualified to create knowledge

Western Education and Critical Thinking In traditional education, knowledge is seen as a treasure and resource that must be protected for the survival of society. Knowledge has been developed over time and development of new knowledge is a task for experts. The task of students is to learn the knowledge.

Western Education and Critical Thinking Western education is not better than traditional education. It is just different.

Western Education and Critical Thinking Why is the western view of knowledge so different? Most people in the West have come from somewhere else. They have left behind their traditional cultures.

Western Education and Critical Thinking While most countries see the learning of the nation’s knowledge as the most important goal of education, the West uses knowledge like a tool rather than a goal.

Western Education and Critical Thinking The West does not see the value of knowledge in the same way as traditional societies do. For those in the West, knowledge is important only for what it can do – Help to develop more knowledge.

Western Education and Critical Thinking The West does not see the value of knowledge in the same way as traditional societies do. For those in the West, knowledge is important only for what it can do – Help to develop more knowledge. Knowledge is important only if it is useful.

Western Education and Critical Thinking The most important goals of Western education:

Western Education and Critical Thinking The most important goals of Western education: Learning how to use the knowledge we have to create new knowledge

Western Education and Critical Thinking The most important goals of Western education: Learning how to use the knowledge we have to create new knowledge Learning how to evaluate our knowledge for quality and relevance

Western Education and Critical Thinking In Western education, there are facts to be learned, but the main emphasis is on solving problems with what we know:

Western Education and Critical Thinking In Western education, there are facts to be learned, but the main emphasis is on solving problems with what we know: Students ask questions and identify issues to resolve

Western Education and Critical Thinking In Western education, there are facts to be learned, but the main emphasis is on solving problems with what we know: Students ask questions and identify issues to resolve Often there is no one clear answer. Students must evaluate evidence and decide for themselves.

Western Education and Critical Thinking For Western education, critical thinking is very important.

Western Education and Critical Thinking What is the definition of critical thinking?

Western Education and Critical Thinking What is the definition of critical thinking? Critical thinking is problem-solving using evidence

Western Education and Critical Thinking What is the definition of critical thinking? Critical thinking is problem-solving using evidence Critical thinking requires that you ask questions

Western Education and Critical Thinking What is the definition of critical thinking? Critical thinking is problem-solving using evidence Critical thinking requires that you ask questions Critical thinking requires you to evaluate points of view

Western Education and Critical Thinking Here is an example: Most scientists today believe that climate change is due mostly to human activity. A few scientists say that climate change is not caused by human activity but is due to the cycles of nature itself.

Western Education and Critical Thinking How would critical thinking deal with this problem?

Western Education and Critical Thinking How would critical thinking deal with this problem? First, identify the problem with a question: Is climate change caused by human or by natural activity?

Western Education and Critical Thinking How would critical thinking deal with this problem? First, identify the problem with a question: Is climate change caused by human or by natural activity? Second, gather evidence from both sides of the issue

Western Education and Critical Thinking How would critical thinking deal with this problem? First, identify the problem with a question: Is climate change caused by human or by natural activity? Second, gather evidence from both sides of the issue Third, evaluate the evidence

Western Education and Critical Thinking How would critical thinking deal with this problem? First, identify the problem with a question: Is climate change caused by human or by natural activity? Second, gather evidence from both sides of the issue Third, evaluate the evidence Fourth, make a decision based on the best evidence

Western Education and Critical Thinking With critical thinking, you might ask what your professor believes, but you don’t have to accept your professor’s position on the issue. Most professors want you to present good evidence for your position, even if it disagrees with the professor.

Western Education and Critical Thinking The Differences: Traditional education emphasizes preserving and learning the knowledge base. Western education emphasizes using information as a tool to solve problems and advance knowledge. Critical thinking is very important.

Western Education and Critical Thinking We should not misunderstand critical thinking.

Western Education and Critical Thinking We should not misunderstand critical thinking. It is not thinking that criticizes everything:

Western Education and Critical Thinking We should not misunderstand critical thinking. It is not thinking that is rude and unkind:

Western Education and Critical Thinking Critical thinking recognizes that there are many problems to solve in our world and that not everyone holds the same viewpoint on a problem or issue:

Western Education and Critical Thinking Critical thinking recognizes that there are many problems to solve in our world and that not everyone holds the same viewpoint on a problem or issue: Critical thinking means listening to all views

Western Education and Critical Thinking Critical thinking recognizes that there are many problems to solve in our world and that not everyone holds the same viewpoint on a problem or issue: Critical thinking means listening to all views It means evaluating evidence carefully

Western Education and Critical Thinking Critical thinking recognizes that there are many problems to solve in our world and that not everyone holds the same viewpoint on a problem or issue: Critical thinking means listening to all views It means evaluating evidence carefully You must, in the end, reach your own conclusion

Western Education and Critical Thinking A biblical example: “Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” Acts 17:11