Mastering Critical Thinking: Key Concepts and Strategies for Academic Success

1. Critical Thinking WHAT IS IT? Presented byREACH 2009 A Student Success Seminar (Your success is our goal!)

2. Learning Outcomes By the end of this presentation, the student will: • Better understand what critical thinking is • Know why critical thinking is important • Have some knowledge of the Paul –Elder model of critical thinking • Accept the challenge to think critically in every class

3. How do you define critical thinking?

4. “Disciplined, self-directed thinking . . . ”* WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING? T H I N K I N G The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

5. “ (Thinking) . . . which exemplifies the perfections of thinking. . .”* WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING? T H I N K I N G The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

6. In “everyday” language: Thinking “outside” the box Thinking about thinking “Unlimited” thinking Divergent thinking WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING? T H I N K I N G

7. “The intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information.”* T H I N K I N G * The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.

8. “Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it.”* *The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts And Tools, 5 ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008. T H I N K I N G

9. “Critical thinking is . . . • Self-disciplined • Self-monitored • Self-corrective thinking.”* T H I N K I N G *The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts and Tools, 5th ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008.

10. It concerns itself with 8 elements of thought • Point of view • Purpose • Questions at issue • Implications and consequences • Information • Interpretation and Inference • Concepts • Assumptions • *The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts • and Tools, 5 ed. The Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2008. T H I N K I N G

11. Point of View What are the . . . • Frames of reference • Perspectives • Orientations And how do they influence “point of view”?

12. Purpose What are the • Goals • Objectives And how do they relate to point of view?

13. What does critical thinking involve? • Making logical inferences (based upon the information presented) • Drawing logical conclusions (based upon the information presented) • Higher levels of thinking, such as . . .

14. Conceptualizing— developinga “mind picture” • Applying—puttingconceptual info to use • Analyzing—closelyexamining, • tearing apart or breaking down to • really look at • Synthesizing—pullingthings together in a well- organized • logical way • Evaluating—making decisions about; reviewing; assessing; rtc. • Conceptualizing • Applying • Analyzing • Synthesizing • Evaluating

15. ACTIVITIES TIME PERMITTING, WORK THROUGH ACTIVITIES IN YOUR BOOKLET. BE SURE TO THINK CRITICALLY! Why is Critical Thinking Important?

16. Why Is Critical Thinking Important? • Critical thinking helps us develop: • Intellectual Humility • Intellectual Autonomy • Intellectual Integrity • Intellectual Courage • Intellectual Perseverance • Confidence in Reason • Intellectual Empathy • Fairmindedness • . . . traits important to the development of a multi-cultural world view and the diminishing of irrational thought! • . . . it underlies the basic elements of communication • . . . it plays an important part in social change. . . • . . . it is a path to freedom from half-truths and deceptions

17. Characteristics of “cultivated” critical thinkers Goal: to become cultivated critical thinkers Cultivated critical thinkers . . .

18. Raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely; A well cultivated critical thinker . . . By : --raising vital questions --formulating questions clearly and precisely Raise vital questions Formulate questions and problems clearly, precisely

19. Gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively, • Gather information • Analyze and assess it • Evaluate it By: --gathering information, then --assessing it and determining what it means and what it is worth

20. Comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards; Draw conclusions Find solutions Use relevant criteria to test them By: --drawing conclusions from the information presented --finding possible, plausible solutions and testing them with relevant criteria

21. Keep an open mind By --maintaining an open mind

22. Communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems. Network w/others; keep lines of communication open By networking with others and maintaining open lines of communication with them and others.

23. To become a cultivated critical thinker: • Develop a sense of observation and curiosity • Become interested in finding new solutions • Share ideas • Ask pertinent questions • Assess statements and arguments • Seek understanding and information Dare to think outside the box!

24. Also . . . • Examine beliefs, assumptions, and opinions; wei gh them against truth • Listen to others, think about what they say, • give feedback • Become an open-minded listener and reader

25. Who Thinks Critically ? • Who are the critical thinkers? • Parents • Nurses • Athletic coaches • Doctors • Air traffic controllers • Military commanders • Lawyers, Judges • Supervisors • Accountants • Day Care Providers STUDENTS ! ! • Parents • Nurses • Doctors • Athletic coaches • Teachers/Professors

26. Who SHOULD think critically? EVERYBODY !

27. Link to the test