Critical Thinking The “VON” Way!!

What do you see? What is going on in this picture? Analyze why this is it going on? What attitudes, assumptions and personal experiences guided your thinking?

It’s a matter of perception... “...much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed or down-right prejudiced. Yet the quality of our life and that of what we produce, make, or build depends precisely on the quality of our thought.” “Excellence in thought, however, must be systematically cultivated.” ~ The Foundation of Critical Thinking

What does it mean to be a systematic, well cultivated thinker?

Critical Thinking Objectives Utilize the “Elements of Thought” chart as a tool to 1) take apart one’s thinking, 2) locate & define problems within one’s thinking, and 3) remedy & refocus the problems toward viable solutions Infuse the “Universal Intellectual Standards” within one’s own thinking, forming part of their inner voice toward guided reasoning within and across ALL subjects. Realize that ALL subjects exist only as modes of thinking Grasp that content is a product of thinking and can be learned only through thinking Cultivate the core intellectual virtues such as humility, perseverance, integrity and responsibility. Utilize the “Critical Thinking” website and the Center’s research and theoretical developments, events and resources as a tool for rigorous self-reflection & open mindedness.

What is Critical thinking? Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it.

“Because when ever we are dealing with human life, we are almost always dealing with thinking.”

The Elements of Thought

Universal Intellectual Standards

“Thinking” Awareness Consciously raise questions Be aware of gaps in information Distinguish between fact, opinion, inference and information given with incomplete information Be aware of one’s own reasoning Ask more questions Identify key definitions Identify relationships Predict based on evidence Re-evaluate and ask more questions if necessary to solidify evidence

Look again.... Using critical thinking’s “Elements of Thought”, how would you reframe your thinking about this picture? How might the “Universal Intellectual Standards” challenge your original attitudes, assumptions?

What are the facts? Robert Thompson and Jon Venables were both 10 years old when they abducted and killed two-year-old James Bulger in The young boys snatched the toddler from a shopping mall while his mother was inside a store, and took him on a 2.5- mile walk across Liverpool. The boys were seen walking by approximately 38 people, but many assumed he was their younger brother. Venables and Thompson took Bulger to a railway line where they tortured and brutally attacked the toddler. Bulger suffered multiple skull fractures from blows to the head, and was sexually abused by the two older boys. After the beatings, they left Bulger’s lifeless body across the railway tracks so that his body would be cut in half. Police were able to pin Venables and Thompson because of video images that captured Bulger’s abduction from the mall. DNA testing matched the blood found on the boys’ shoes to Bulger. Thompson and Venables were arrested and controversially tried and convicted in an adult court. They were both found guilty of murder and sentenced to custody until the age of 18.

Critical Thinking Links For Your Students Critical Thinking Links for Your Students (complementary materials) Learning the Elements and Standards of Critical Thinking Critical Thinking in Everyday Life: 9 Strategies Developing as Rational Persons: Viewing Our Development in Stages How to Study and Learn (Part One) How to Study and Learn (Part Two) How to Study and Learn (Part Three) How to Study and Learn (Part Four) The Art of Close Reading (Part One) The Art of Close Reading (Part Two) The Art of Close Reading (Part Three) Looking To The Future With a Critical Eye: A Message for High School Graduates Looking To The Future With a Critical Eye: A Message for High School Graduates Becoming a Critic Of Your Thinking

Utilizing Resources Familiarize yourself with the Critical Thinking Guide ASK QUESTIONS!