Critical ThinkingA 21ST CENTURY SKILL

ANDREA PERROW

BRITTANY SELLERS

BRITTANY TAFT

BRAINS ARE BIOLOGICAL. MINDS ARE CREATED.

Today, almost anyone can open up a web

browser and tap into a seemingly infinite

stream of information—the only limiting factor

being one’s own curiosity and imagination

What Is Critical Thinking?

Use Systems Thinking Analyze how parts of a

whole interact with each other to produce overall

outcomes in complex systems

Reason Effectively Use various types of reasoning

(inductive, deductive, etc.) as appropriate to the situation

What Is Critical Thinking?

Make Judgments and Decisions

Effectively analyze and evaluate evidence, arguments, claims and

beliefs Analyze and evaluate major

alternative points of view Synthesize and make connections

between information and arguments

Interpret information and draw conclusions based on the best

analysis Reflect critically on learning

experiences and processes

Solve Problems Solve different kinds of non-

familiar problems in both conventional and innovative

ways

Identify and ask significant questions that clarify various

points of view and lead to better solutions

The Importance of Critical Thinking

A well-cultivated critical thinker:    raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;

gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively;

comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;

thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and

communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.

How To Apply Critical Thinking to 21st Century Education:

Education should seek to prepare learners for self-direction and not pre-conceived roles. It is, therefore, essential that learners be prepared for thinking their way through the maze of challenges that life will present independently.

Implementing Technology

WebQuest: A WebQuest is an assignment which asks students to use the World Wide Web to learn about a specific topic. This would be considered Critical Thinking because in order to search for the answers to questions, the student must not only read the literal text, but in between the lines, to infer and to question.

Blogging: A blog is a Web page that is frequently updated, usually with personal insights and Web links. When a student blogs, they are able to express their opinions on something, and write about a topic they are passionate about. This involves Critical Thinking because in order to have a well-rounded opinion, one needs to look at the subject from all sides. Therefore, on the blog questions can be giving with an emphasis on giving conclusions and theory behind questions giving. That way not only will the question be answer but the student will have to use their critical thinking to discuss the question.

Implementing Technology

Visuals and Materials (Posters): A visual image can portray more than one meaning. The literal meaning (what is directly seen) and a symbolic one (“in between the lines” or an inferred meaning). This is where Critical Thinking comes into play. To look at an image and to interpret, you are using higher level thinking. Students can look at images and interpret them in many ways, and this is using Critical Thinking.

Digital Imaging: Critical Thinking is applied when altering photos because you need to use different and appropriate tools to alter the photo.

Implementing Technology

Secondlife: Secondlife is a three-dimensional virtual community created entirely by its membership. Members assume an identity and take up residence in Second Life, creating a customized avatar or personage to represent themselves. You can apply Critical Thinking here by using higher level thinking to create a world and the many parts. You can also interact, and apply it to education.

Example Lumosity.com is a way to enhance brain activity by just playing games. You choose the skills you wish to enhance,

and the games are tailored to those skills.

Games include:

Speed Match- which focuses on information processing. Abilities trained includes faster reaction time, thinking faster, speeding up cognitive processing.

Eagle Eye- focuses on attention ( things will flash for a minute and then you have to relocate in on the screen)

Monster Garden – focuses on memory (just like memory card game , you have to match items together.)

Brain Shift- focuses on flexibly ( you have the answer questions, but it keeps shifting from top to bottom, so you have to keep attention)

Raindrops- focuses on problem solving. ( just like candy crush, but in this game their math problem on the drops and the answers match another drop)

It tracks your performance, this can be used as a tactic to get the students to finish assignments, classroom management, or just an everyday activity.

In order to win the games, you need to utilize the traits of Critical Thinking

1. Making Judgments and Decisions

2. Use Systems Thinking

3. Reasoning Effectively

4. Solving Problems

Conclusion

Without thinking critically, you're only looking at the surface of things

Critical thinking is the process of examining, analyzing, questioning, and challenging situations, issues, and information of all kinds

Critical thinking is an important tool in solving community problems and in developing interventions or initiatives in health, human services, and community development

Works Cited

http://www.p21.org/component/content/article/260-critical-thinking-and-problem-solving

http://eduscapes.com/tap/topic69.htm

http://www.accessexcellence.org/LC/TL/buchanan/

http://www.wannalearn.com/Academic_Subjects/Critical_Thinking/

http://www.lib.berkeley.edu/TeachingLib/Guides/Internet/Strategies.html

http://www.solution-tree.com/products.html

http://www.doane.edu/facstaff/resources/cetl-home/31812

http://www.lumosity.com