Presented by REACH 2009 A Student Success Seminar (Your success is our goal!)

Learning Outcomes By the end of this presentation, the student will: Better understand what critical thinking is Know why critical thinking is important Have some knowledge of the Paul –Elder model of critical thinking Accept the challenge to think critically in every class

“Disciplined, self-directed thinking... ”* T H I N K I N G The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

“ (Thinking)... which exemplifies the perfections of thinking...”* T H I N K I N G The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

In “everyday” language: Thinking “outside” the box Thinking about thinking “Unlimited” thinking Divergent thinking T H I N K I N G

“ The intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. ” * * The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

T H I N K I N G “ Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it. ” * *The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts And Tools, 5 ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

T H I N K I N G “ Critical thinking is... Self-disciplined Self-monitored Self-corrective thinking. ”* *The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, 5 th ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

T H I N K I N G It concerns itself with 8 elements of thought Point of view Purpose Questions at issue Implications and consequences Information Interpretation and Inference Concepts Assumptions * The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, 5 ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

Point of View What are the... – Frames of reference – Perspectives – Orientations And how do they influence “point of view”?

Purpose What are the Goals Objectives And how do they relate to point of view?

What does critical thinking involve? Making logical inferences (based upon the information presented) Drawing logical conclusions ( based upon the information presented) Higher levels of thinking, such as...

Conceptualizing Applying Analyzing Synthesizing Evaluating Conceptualizing— developing a “mind picture” Applying— putting conceptual info to use Analyzing— closely examining, tearing apart or breaking down to really look at Synthesizing— pulling things together in a well-organized logical way Evaluating— making decisions about; reviewing; assessing; rtc.

ACTIVITIES TIME PERMITTING, WORK THROUGH ACTIVITIES IN YOUR BOOKLET. BE SURE TO THINK CRITICALLY! Why is Critical Thinking Important?

W hy I s C ritical T hinking I mportant ? ... it underlies the basic elements of communication ... it plays an important part in social change... ... it is a path to freedom from half- truths and deceptions Critical thinking helps us develop: Intellectual Humility Intellectual Autonomy Intellectual Integrity Intellectual Courage Intellectual Perseverance Confidence in Reason Intellectual Empathy Fairmindedness... traits important to the development of a multi-cultural world view and the diminishing of irrational thought!

Characteristics of “ cultivated ” critical thinkers Cultivated critical thinkers... Goal: to become cultivated critical thinkers

Raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely; A well cultivated critical thinker... Raise vital questions Formulate questions and problems clearly, precisely By : --raising vital questions --formulating questions clearly and precisely

Gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively, Gather information Analyze and assess it Evaluate it By: --gathering information, then --assessing it and determining what it means and what it is worth

Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards; Draw conclusions Find solutions Use relevant criteria to test them By: --drawing conclusions from the information presented --finding possible, plausible solutions and testing them with relevant criteria

Keep an open mind By --maintaining an open mind

Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems. Network w/others; keep lines of communication open By networking with others and maintaining open lines of communication with them and others.

Dare to think outside the box! To become a cultivated critical thinker: Develop a sense of observation and curiosity Develop a sense of observation and curiosity Become interested in finding new solutions Become interested in finding new solutions Share ideas Share ideas Ask pertinent questions Ask pertinent questions Assess statements and arguments Assess statements and arguments Seek understanding and information Seek understanding and information

Also... Examine beliefs, assumptions, and opinions; wei gh them against truth Listen to others, think about what they say, give feedback Become an open-minded listener and reader

Who Thinks Critically ?  Parents  Nurses  Doctors  Athletic coaches  Teachers/Professors Who are the critical thinkers? Parents Nurses Athletic coaches Doctors Air traffic controllers Military commanders Lawyers, Judges Teachers Accountants Day Care Providers

Who SHOULD think critically?

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