A Nation At Risk? Do we know how to train critical thinking? Are our schools getting it done?

Critical Thinking Thinking About Thinking Goal-Directed Planful Strategic Conscious Evaluation Daydreaming Rote Learning Familiar Solutions

Thinking About Thinking Plan THREE STAGES Act & Monitor Evaluate What is the goal? What do I already know? What skills or strategies do I have? Am I making progress? Do I need more information? Should I change strategies? Have I succeeded? What have I learned about these kinds of problems?

Herb Simon, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology & Computer Science Carnegie-Mellon University Nobel Prize (Economics) A Founder of Cognitive Science Classic Problems D O N A L D + G E R A L D R O B E R T What are the other letters if D = 5?

Classic Problems Good Problem Solvers Ask Themselves: What Do I Already Know That Might Be Relevant? D O N A L D + G E R A L D R O B E R T 1. D = 5 2. How to add and carry = 0 ( & carry 1) 4. X + 10 = (& carry 1) 5. A number + itself is an EVEN number 6. EVEN + 1 = ODD

Classic Problems What relevant knowledge do you have? Can you break the overall task into simpler sub-tasks? Will it take one strategy or will you have to shift strategies along the way? D O N A L D + G E R A L D R O B E R T

Problem Solving Attitudes: Not Everyone Is The Same Formal Problems in Academic Settings Real Problems in Everyday Settings Some People : Plan before acting Consider various strategies Persist Monitor their efforts Some People : Ask:“What kind of problem is this?” Value chances to solve problems Learn to anticipate problems