1. Critical Thinking and Writing ES1531/GEK1549/GET1021 Mr Anderson elcdla@nus.edu.sg Objectives: Get to know one another Understand what critical thinking is, and its relevance for engineering Understand the framework of this course (course information)

2. Ice Breaker Get into groups of four. Everyone, introduce yourself. Someone in the group must visit random.org. Choose max: 14. Click “Generate”. This is your question number. If you cannot think of an answer, you can click “Generate” one more time. Now you must answer the first or second question.

3. Questions 1. What was the best thing that happened to you this weekend? 2. If you could have any job in the world, what would it be? Why? 3. If you could have been told one thing that you weren't told when you were a teenager, what would you like to have heard? 4. Name your favorite song. 5. What was the weirdest food you've ever eaten? 6. If you were given 24 hours to live, what would you do? 7. What do you think is the best gift in the world? 8. If you had one extra hour of free time a day, how would you use it? 9. What is the first thing you think of when you wake in the morning? 10. What is your concept of a fruitful day? 11. If you could be invisible for a day, what would you do? 12. If you could be an ice cream flavor, what would it be? Why? 13. If you had to be a teacher of something, what would you teach? 14. What did you like best about your hometown?

4. How to conduct a small group discussion ? 1) Spokesperson – this person speaks first, and the others supplement 2) Scribe – takes notes, may share these notes with other members at the end of the discussion

5. Critical Thinking Quotes Activity B Get into groups of three Paraphrase the quote. What does it tell you about critical thinking? Half the groups start from the last quote (Russell)

6. Critical Thinking Definitions Look at 1, 2, 3 and 4: What do you learn about critical thinking? What questions do you have?

7. Critical Thinking for Engineering Activity C What does an engineer in your field (Chemical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering etc.) do? What skills are needed to perform your job? Are they similar to those mentioned in the article on A global engineer for the global community?

8. Activity D Think about the five questions in Activity D. Discuss in your groups.

9. Course Information Refer to pdf

10. Weekly Checklist Download and read through the materials for each lesson (e. g. Tutorial 2) Complete the assignments for each week. Actively participate in class by being prepared, asking questions, volunteering answers and reflecting on your learning. Note well: This is a four-credit course. Hence you are expected to complete six hours of outside work in addition to four hours of class every week.

11. Why learn about critical thinking? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwG_ xDeGK30&feature=youtu.be

12. For next time Join the Google Community (I will send you an invite). Watch the video I post on the Google Community. Based on the video, how do you think critical thinking will benefit you at NUS and in the future? Post your answer in the Google Community. This is part of our participation grade. Complete homework listed in the calendar.