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
“Disciplined,
self-directed
thinking . . . ”*
The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.
“ (Thinking) . . . which exemplifies the
perfections of thinking. . .”*
The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.
In “everyday” language:
• Thinking “outside” the box
• Thinking about thinking
• “Unlimited” thinking
• Divergent thinking
“The intellectually disciplined
process of actively and skillfully
conceptualizing,
applying,
analyzing,
synthesizing,
and evaluating information.”*
* The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987.
“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.
“Critical thinking is . . .
• Self-disciplined
• Self-monitored
• Self-corrective thinking.”*
*The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking:
Concepts and Tools, 5th ed. The Foundation
for Critical Thinking, 2008.
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.
Point of View
What are the . . .
– Frames of reference
– Perspectives
– Orientations
And how do they influence “point of view”?
Purpose
What are the
• Goals
• Objectives
And how do they relate to point of view?
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 . . .
• Conceptualizing—
• Conceptualizing
developing a “mind picture”
• Applying• Applying— putting conceptual info to
use
• Analyzing
• Analyzing—
• Synthesizing closely examining,
tearing apart or breaking down to
really look at
• Evaluating
• Synthesizing—pulling
things together in a well- organized
logical way
• Evaluating—making decisions
about; reviewing; assessing; rtc.
ACTIVITIES
Why is Critical Thinking
TIME PERMITTING, WORK THROUGH ACTIVITIES
IN YOUR BOOKLET.
Important?
BE SURE TO THINK CRITICALLY!
WhyCritical
Is Cthinking helps T
ritical us hinking
develop: Important?
• Intellectual Humility
. it underlies
•. . Intellectual Autonomy the basic elements of
•communication
Intellectual Integrity
• Intellectual Courage
•. .Intellectual
. it plays an important part in social
Perseverance
• Confidence in Reason
•change.
Intellectual.Empathy
.
• Fairmindedness
. . . it is a path to freedom from half-
. truths and todeceptions
. . traits important the development of a multi-cultural
world view and the diminishing of irrational thought!
Characteristics “cultivated” critical
of thinkers
Goal: to become cultivated critical
thinkers Cultivated critical
thinkers . . .
By well
A : cultivated critical thinker . . .
--raising vital questions
--formulating
• Raises questions clearly
vital questions and and Raise vital questions
precisely
problems, formulating them Formulate questions
and problems clearly, precisely
clearly and precisely;
•Gather information
•Analyze and assess it By:
• Gathers and assesses
--gathering relevant
information, then
• Evaluate it
--assessing
information, usingit abstract
and determining
ideas to
interpret itwhat it means and what it is
effectively,
worth
Draw conclusions
Find solutions
By: Use relevant criteria
--drawing conclusions from the information to test them
• Comes to well-reasoned
presented
--finding possible,
conclusions and plausible solutions and
solutions,
testingthem
testing them with relevant
against criteria
relevant
criteria and standards;
Keep an open mind
By
--maintaining an open mind
Network w/others;
keep lines of communication open
• Communicates
By networking witheffectively with
others and maintaining
openin
others lines of communication
figuring with them
out solutions
and others.
to complex problems.
To become a cultivated critical thinker:
Dare to think outside the
box!
• 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
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
Who are the critical thinkers?
Who Thinks Critically
• Parents ?
• Nurses
Parents
• Athletic coaches
• Doctors
Nurses
• Air traffic controllers
Doctors
• Military commanders
• Lawyers, Judges
Athletic coaches
• Supervisors
• Accountants
Teachers/Professors
• Day Care Providers
Who SHOULD think critically?
