1. What is Critical Thinking?
CRITICAL THINKING is the active and systematic process of
Communication
Problem-solving
Evaluation
Analysis
Synthesis
Reflection
both individually and in community to
Foster understanding
Support sound decision-making and
Guide action
After selecting the focus, the QEC researched the critical thinking literature for good definitions of critical thinking and selected three definitions for faculty to review and provide their comments.  SPC faculty sent over 200 suggestions for developing a fresh definition that encapsulates the critical thinking experience in the disciplines taught at SPC.  The QEC looked for themes in the suggestions and developed this definition.
A good way to remember some of the important pieces of the definition is to think of CASPER: Communication, Analysis, Synthesis, Problem-solving, Evaluation, and Reflection. It’s in a little different order, but the order is not as important as being able to remember them.

2. Why is critical thinking important to employers?
Employers are looking for people who can deal effectively with any situation at work:
Can you solve problems?
Can you analyze situations?
When SACS comes, they will be interviewing groups of people, asking them why we picked critical thinking and why it is important to student learning. You’ve heard some of the reasons for selecting critical thinking, but why is critical thinking important.
First of all, employers are asking for us to stress critical thinking. Most jobs require critical thinking so the boss can rely on employees to make good decisions. Students who are good critical thinkers will have a better chance at getting and keeping a good job.
Can you make good decisions
(based on data, not feelings)?

3. Failures in critical thinking can be disastrous
Space Shuttle Columbia
Critical thinking is also very important for society. Recent failures in critical thinking, such as the examples here, have had terrible consequences, and faulty critical thinking can lead to poor decisions when voting or contribute to some of the ridiculous items we see in the tabloids.
There are certain urban myths that resurface periodically, such as the myth that there are large alligators in the NY subway system. MythBusters on Discovery Channel says: “It is true that alligators have been found in many unlikely places, such as swimming pools as well as some sewers. Believe it or not there is a grain of truth behind this legend, namely the documented capture of an eight-foot alligator at the bottom of an East Harlem manhole in 1935, though no one assumed that it actually lived down there. It was theorized at the time that the creature must have tumbled off a steamer visiting the northeast "from the mysterious Everglades, or thereabouts," and swam up the Harlem River. However, over the long term an alligator would have difficulty surviving the cold, the close quarters, the lack of sufficient prey and the bacteria commonly found there.” (from (Picture from Wikipedia)

4. Failures in critical thinking can be disastrous
Levee construction in New Orleans
Critical thinking is also very important for society. Recent failures in critical thinking, such as the examples here, have had terrible consequences, and faulty critical thinking can lead to poor decisions when voting or contribute to some of the ridiculous items we see in the tabloids.
There are certain urban myths that resurface periodically, such as the myth that there are large alligators in the NY subway system. MythBusters on Discovery Channel says: “It is true that alligators have been found in many unlikely places, such as swimming pools as well as some sewers. Believe it or not there is a grain of truth behind this legend, namely the documented capture of an eight-foot alligator at the bottom of an East Harlem manhole in 1935, though no one assumed that it actually lived down there. It was theorized at the time that the creature must have tumbled off a steamer visiting the northeast "from the mysterious Everglades, or thereabouts," and swam up the Harlem River. However, over the long term an alligator would have difficulty surviving the cold, the close quarters, the lack of sufficient prey and the bacteria commonly found there.” (from (Picture from Wikipedia)

5. Why is critical thinking important to student learning?
College-level learning is deeper than memorizing facts:
In Science – analyzing results of experiments in light of existing theories
Another question SACS asks is how the focus of the QEP is going to help student learning. It will help because college courses require students to think, not just repeat back what they were told. Here are several examples of critical thinking required in the various courses offered at SPC.

6. Why is critical thinking important to student learning?
College-level learning is deeper than memorizing facts:
Math – selecting appropriate problem-solving strategy for word problems
Another question SACS asks is how the focus of the QEP is going to help student learning. It will help because college courses require students to think, not just repeat back what they were told. Here are several examples of critical thinking required in the various courses offered at SPC.

7. Why is critical thinking important to student learning?
College-level learning is deeper than memorizing facts:
Humanities
Putting literature and art into historical context
Another question SACS asks is how the focus of the QEP is going to help student learning. It will help because college courses require students to think, not just repeat back what they were told. Here are several examples of critical thinking required in the various courses offered at SPC.

8. Why is critical thinking important to student learning?
College-level learning is deeper than memorizing facts:
Political science
Analyzing others’ points of view
Another question SACS asks is how the focus of the QEP is going to help student learning. It will help because college courses require students to think, not just repeat back what they were told. Here are several examples of critical thinking required in the various courses offered at SPC.

9. Why is critical thinking important to student learning?
College-level learning is deeper than memorizing facts:
Communications
Debate
Persuasive writing
Another question SACS asks is how the focus of the QEP is going to help student learning. It will help because college courses require students to think, not just repeat back what they were told. Here are several examples of critical thinking required in the various courses offered at SPC.

10. Critical thinking in the world of work
Another question SACS asks is how the focus of the QEP is going to help student learning. It will help because college courses require students to think, not just repeat back what they were told. Here are several examples of critical thinking required in the various courses offered at SPC.
Health fields – making decisions in clinical settings

11. Critical thinking in the world of work
Technology
problem-solving software/ engineering solutions
Another question SACS asks is how the focus of the QEP is going to help student learning. It will help because college courses require students to think, not just repeat back what they were told. Here are several examples of critical thinking required in the various courses offered at SPC.

12. Critical thinking in the world of work
Criminal justice/fire science –
Analyzing the scene
Another question SACS asks is how the focus of the QEP is going to help student learning. It will help because college courses require students to think, not just repeat back what they were told. Here are several examples of critical thinking required in the various courses offered at SPC.

13. Critical thinking in the world of work
Education
Reflecting on student success resulting from your teaching
Another question SACS asks is how the focus of the QEP is going to help student learning. It will help because college courses require students to think, not just repeat back what they were told. Here are several examples of critical thinking required in the various courses offered at SPC.

14. Critical thinking in the world of work
Business
Analyzing information to detect trends
Ethical decisions
Another question SACS asks is how the focus of the QEP is going to help student learning. It will help because college courses require students to think, not just repeat back what they were told. Here are several examples of critical thinking required in the various courses offered at SPC.

15. Critical thinking in everyday life
How should I prepare for a hurricane?
Should I evacuate?
And critical thinking is important in everyday life. For example, in Florida, we need to make good decisions when a hurricane is coming. Here are some other examples of situations requiring good critical thinking skills

16. Critical thinking in everyday life
What is the safest way to travel?
And critical thinking is important in everyday life. For example, in Florida, we need to make good decisions when a hurricane is coming. Here are some other examples of situations requiring good critical thinking skills

17. Critical thinking in everyday life
What is the slant of a news story?
And critical thinking is important in everyday life. For example, in Florida, we need to make good decisions when a hurricane is coming. Here are some other examples of situations requiring good critical thinking skills

18. Critical thinking in everyday life
Why is my good friend angry at me?
And critical thinking is important in everyday life. For example, in Florida, we need to make good decisions when a hurricane is coming. Here are some other examples of situations requiring good critical thinking skills

19. Critical Thinking Homework Exercises
I decide to go to university in New York City. What are 3 benefits of my decision? What are 3 drawbacks of your decision?
I decide to leave SVA and take the bus to San Francisco for the weekend by myself? What are 3 consequences of your decision?
Your are the leader of a fictitious country called Colvinistan? You decide to go to war with another country. Write a short speech telling your citizens why the country is going to war. What will your people have to do to make the war successful?