Scratch Your Brain: Novel Ways to Interest Students in Critical Thinking

Scratch Your Brain: Novel Ways to Interest Students in Critical Thinking

ObjectivesObjectives

Briefly discuss definitions of “critical thinking.”

Consider arguments and critical thinking.

Consider characteristics of critical thinkers.

Explore some novel critical thinking exercises.

Discuss ways to use resources in teaching.

Briefly discuss definitions of “critical thinking.”

Consider arguments and critical thinking.

Consider characteristics of critical thinkers.

Explore some novel critical thinking exercises.

Discuss ways to use resources in teaching.

DefinitionDefinition

What is YOUR definition of

critical thinking?

What is YOUR definition of

critical thinking?

Common DefinitionsCommon Definitions

Thinking “outside” the box

“Unlimited” thinking

Divergent thinking

Thinking “outside” the box

“Unlimited” thinking

Divergent thinking

Another DefinitionAnother Definition

“The intellectually disciplined

process of actively and skillfully

conceptualizing, applying, analyzing,

synthesizing, and evaluating information.”

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987

“The intellectually disciplined

process of actively and skillfully

conceptualizing, applying, analyzing,

synthesizing, and evaluating information.”

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987

Another DefinitionAnother Definition

“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.

“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.

Quote – Henry FordQuote – Henry Ford

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably why so few engage in it.

Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably why so few engage in it.

ArgumentsArguments

Inductive ReasoningDeductive Reasoning

Syllogism – major premise, minor premise, conclusion

Humans are mortalGreeks are humanTherefore, Greeks are mortal

Inductive ReasoningDeductive Reasoning

Syllogism – major premise, minor premise, conclusion

Humans are mortalGreeks are humanTherefore, Greeks are mortal

ResourceResource

http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/itl/graphics/main.html

http://www.sjsu.edu/depts/itl/graphics/main.html

Make Your ArgumentMake Your Argument

Monty Python: Argument Clinic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDjCqjzbvJY&playnext=1&list=PL8263C81EE53E94FA

Monty Python: Argument Clinic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDjCqjzbvJY&playnext=1&list=PL8263C81EE53E94FA

Visual ArgumentVisual Argument

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGp0WWfEadg&NR=1&feature=fvwp

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGp0WWfEadg&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Critical thinking is . . .Critical thinking is . . .

• Self-disciplined• Self-monitored• Self-corrective

thinking

• Self-disciplined• Self-monitored• Self-corrective

thinking

Thinking Critically Means …

Thinking Critically Means …

Examining different viewpoints

Learn to think from different perspectives

Examining different viewpoints

Learn to think from different perspectives

Young girl?

or

Old woman?

Man playing horn?

or

Woman’s silhouette?

A Native American face?

or

An Eskimo’s back?

What/Who Doesn’t Belong? And Why?What/Who Doesn’t Belong? And Why?

whale, shark, zebracamera, photographer, pilotSigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Rick

PerryAristotle, Plato, Frank FairMonet, Renoir, Einstein Copland, Mozart, Bach De Castro, Muehsam, Harman

whale, shark, zebracamera, photographer, pilotSigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Rick

PerryAristotle, Plato, Frank FairMonet, Renoir, Einstein Copland, Mozart, Bach De Castro, Muehsam, Harman

What Do They Have in Common?

What Do They Have in Common?

Aristotle, Plato, Frank FairMilton Friedman, Robert Solow,

Carl MengerZimbardo, Bandura, MilgrimDoor-in the face, foot-in-the-door,

low-ballVera Wang, Sarah Burton, Carolina

Herrera

Aristotle, Plato, Frank FairMilton Friedman, Robert Solow,

Carl MengerZimbardo, Bandura, MilgrimDoor-in the face, foot-in-the-door,

low-ballVera Wang, Sarah Burton, Carolina

Herrera

The CamelsThe Camels

An Arab sheik tells his two sons to race their camels to a distant city to see who will inherit his fortune. The one whose camel is slower will win. The brothers, after wandering aimlessly for days, ask a wise man for advice. After hearing the advice, they jump on the camels and race as fast as they can to the city. What does the wise man say?

An Arab sheik tells his two sons to race their camels to a distant city to see who will inherit his fortune. The one whose camel is slower will win. The brothers, after wandering aimlessly for days, ask a wise man for advice. After hearing the advice, they jump on the camels and race as fast as they can to the city. What does the wise man say?

The Wise Man Says…The Wise Man Says…

Switch camels.Switch camels.

Train WreckTrain Wreck

One train leaves from NYC heading towards LA at 100 mph. Three hours later, a train leaves from LA heading towards NYC at 200 mph. Assume there’s exactly 2000 miles between LA and NYC. When they meet, which train is closer to NYC?

One train leaves from NYC heading towards LA at 100 mph. Three hours later, a train leaves from LA heading towards NYC at 200 mph. Assume there’s exactly 2000 miles between LA and NYC. When they meet, which train is closer to NYC?

When they meet…When they meet…

they’re both at the same spot, so they are both the same distance from NYC.

they’re both at the same spot, so they are both the same distance from NYC.

Going to St. IvesGoing to St. Ives

As I was going to St. Ives I met a man with seven wives. Each wife had seven sacks. Each sack had seven cats. Each cat had seven kits. Kits, cats, sacks, and wives, how many were going to St. Ives?

As I was going to St. Ives I met a man with seven wives. Each wife had seven sacks. Each sack had seven cats. Each cat had seven kits. Kits, cats, sacks, and wives, how many were going to St. Ives?

Some months have 31 days; how many have 28?

How many outs are in an inning?

There are 3 apples and you take away 2. How many do you have?

Some months have 31 days; how many have 28?

How many outs are in an inning?

There are 3 apples and you take away 2. How many do you have?

Common PhrasesCommon Phrases

DECI SION

ANOTHER ONE

DECI SION

ANOTHER ONE

Common WordCommon Word

A duck, a goose, a goat, and a horse all entered the barn at different times one day last week.1) A mammal entered the barn first.2) The duck entered before the goose.3) The goose entered ahead of the horse.

Who entered the barn first?

A duck, a goose, a goat, and a horse all entered the barn at different times one day last week.1) A mammal entered the barn first.2) The duck entered before the goose.3) The goose entered ahead of the horse.

Who entered the barn first?

Common PhrasesCommon Phrases

CHIEDITOREF

T   2222

CHIEDITOREF

T   2222

Word FunWord Fun

Determine both one-word answers.

The floor of ship or boat,They walk on me at sea;Where there’s a C, make it an S,At school you sit on me.

Determine both one-word answers.

The floor of ship or boat,They walk on me at sea;Where there’s a C, make it an S,At school you sit on me.

What Economic Phrases?What Economic Phrases?

advantage

demchangeand

advantage

demchangeand

History Terms?History Terms?

ISM ISM

Poetry Terms?Poetry Terms?

coo

+ t +

+s r

PhrasePhrase

Fun TheoryFun Theory

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbEKAwCoCKw&NR=1

DiscussDiscuss

How might you use some of these ideas in your classroom?

Could students use critical thinking in generating critical thinking activities to share with the class?

How might you use some of these ideas in your classroom?

Could students use critical thinking in generating critical thinking activities to share with the class?

How Not to Be StupidHow Not to Be Stupid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9BMyaftZ1A http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9BMyaftZ1A

Thank YouThank You

Contact me:harman@shsu.edu

Contact me:harman@shsu.edu