Academic Strategies: Seminar 7 September 12, 2010

Agenda Week 6 Review/Week 8, looking ahead Unit 7: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Unit 7 Reading Learning Activities Discussion Seminar questions

WEEK 6 REVIEW Seminar, Discussion & Mini project grades: Sunday, September 12 Unit 6: Personal Management Good tips learned? Questions??

UNIT 7: CRITICAL THINKING & PROBLEM SOLVING: SEPTEMBER 8 – SEPTEMBER 14 In the last two units, you learned about personal management. You explored new stress management and time management techniques and learned how to plan, organize, and prioritize your daily activities to make the most out of your study time. Improving your personal management skills is important for your college success. In this unit, you will see why improving your overall thinking skills is just as important.

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING During this unit, you will learn about the importance of evaluating information and basing your conclusions on fact rather than opinion. You will also learn how the ability to solve problems and make decisions is related to your success as a student and how it is a necessary skill that will serve you in the workplace. After completing this unit, you should be able to: Discuss the importance of critical thinking in academic and professional settings Explain how problem solving and decision making skills are related to academic and professional success Apply a problem solving approach to solve a problem

UNIT 7 READING Announcements Chapter 9: pgs. 58, top of 59, Thinking and Researching Online - Thinking about Course Content - Critical Thinking - Asking Questions 2 Articles: Skills for a New Century Critical Thinking: Distinguishing Between Inference and Assumption

LEARNING ACTIVITIES Critical Thinking PowerPoint Presentation Problem Solving Activity

DISCUSSION Discussion Unit 7: Critical Thinking, Logic, Reasoning and Problem Solving

CRITICAL THINKING “Critical thinking” refers to a disciplined approach or analysis (breakdown) and evaluation (scrutiny) of information. It is “critical” in that it is methodical and deliberate, in contrast to random and coincidental. Critical thinking is a crucial part of a lifelong learner’s responsibility as he/she gains knowledge; it is how the learner discovers how to apply knowledge to real life.

PROFILE OF A CRITICAL THINKER Reasons his/her way through to a position by considering the evidence available; Knows what objections are likely to be raised to a position and knows how to examine positions by probing their assumptions and consequences; Does not allow vivid information and anecdotal evidence to carry undue weight in his/her reflections; Realizes the effect that emotions and feelings and prejudices may have on his/her thinking; Is willing to revise his/her position in light of the reasoning of others and of contrary evidence; Is sensitized to the demands of clarity and is able to detect objectionable vagueness in his/her own thinking and the thinking of others; Remains unimpressed by the sheer force of someone's rhetoric and conviction when these masquerade as substitutes for reasoning; Stops to think before arriving at a judgment; is able to say to himself/herself "Hold on a minute, here. Am I being swept away by the heat of the moment?" Thinks, judges and acts mindful of the limitations of time and information imposed by the situation. From a speech given by Bill Dorman, a professor in the journalism and government departments at Sacramento State University, to faculty at the Reynolds School of Journalism - University of Nevada, Reno

SEMINAR Solve a problem: In Need of a Job Would you consider critical thinking skills one of your strengths or one of your weaknesses? How could you improve your critical thinking skills?

QUESTIONS????

Goodnight! Have an excellent week!