Hugh Sutherland In-Service

November 29, 2011Prepared By Carmen Christie-BillChinook’s Edge School Division

Defining Critical Thinking & Inquiry-Based Learning

Understanding of key terms associated Development of criteria & how students develop Sharing resources How does critical thinking/inquiry increase

student engagement? Collaboration with colleagues & making

connections to your own curricular discipline

Goals for Today

What is Critical Thinking, Inquiry-Based Learning & Authentic Learning?

Developing Criteria- in table teams Exemplar Lessons: Critical Thinking language & skills Authentic Learning Activities- Examples to peruse Resource Sharing Closure

Agenda

Definitions- 15 mins

Why Critical Thinking? Definitions of Critical Thinking, Inquiry Learning,

& Authentic Learning Video: Key Messages/Words that Resonate Common Verbs & Links to Bloom’s Taxonomy

Critical Thinking Specific Definitions

Criteria- a standard or test by which individual things or people may be compared and judged in (Math/Science)

Evidence- “everything that is used to determine or demonstrate the truth of an assertion proven via evidence (plays an important role is academic disciplines)

Observation- data collected during an activity using all senses (sight, sound, touch, taste, smell) or through use of scientific instruments

Inference- is the act or process of deriving logical conclusion from premises known or assumed to be true based on one’s point of view or a collective group perspective

Critical Thinking Specific Definitions

Point of View-a stance or viewpoint of an individual based on their own world view, life experiences, and person bias

Perspective- the stance or viewpoint of a particular interest group has in relation to topic of interest which includes the collective biases and beliefs of the group (ex. industrialist vs. environmentalist)

World View- a comprehensive world view that is understood within an individual society which encompasses the entirety of the society’s knowledge and what they believe to be true

Critical Thinking Specific Definitions

Judgment- Upon looking at the observed evidence a judgment is made based upon the criteria

Ranking- determining how one piece of evidence or final judgement ranks in relation to other evidence or judgments based upon criteria and sound reasoning based upon the criteria.

Inference- the act or process of deriving logical conclusions from premises known or assumed to be true based upon observations. Inferences can be affected by one’s point of view, perspective and world views

Application in Your Discipline- 10 mins

Locate your program of study via Alberta Learning (or hard copy of your POS if you have it handy)

Highlight all critical thinking terms that you see within the front matter of your POS as well as your skills and knowledge sections within a unit of your choosing

Table talk- share embedded critical thinking pieces with your table group

Keep this handy, as later you will be asked how you can apply skills demonstrated into your specific program

Developing Criteria

Video: “Do You Think?” Do students know how to sift through

information to be able to determine relevance, accurateness or evidence of bias?

As a pair of “students”, use the rubric template to develop 5 criterion for developing inferences via observations when looking at various resource materials

Small group sharing of criteria

Application: Students Developing Criteria- 15 mins

Uses of Criteria: Refer back to the program you chose to explore

today look through program to see potential places where you can embed this concept of developing criteria

Time to Converse: How can you apply this concept to your own curriculum?

Caution: Formative Vs Summative Formative assessments- as students are gaining

skills Summative assessments- done after the students

have experienced learning and are ready to show what they have learned

Criteria graded and reported must be on curricular outcomes

Authentic Learning, Inquiry and Critical Thinking Samples- 20min

Authentic Learning embeds inquiry and critical thinking in a meaningful and relevant way. Samples: Galileo.org- Authentic Lesson Exemplars

Examples of Critical Thinking/Inquiry Based Learning on in-service Wiki: Science/Math/Art/Machine Shop:

Have students develop criteria for science projects and experiments- shift from teacher directed and shift to teacher guided

Provide multiple materials for an experiment (or have students determine materials needed) and have teams of students try to generate desired result in methods of their choosing- share challenges and triumphs (can learn a great deal from both)

Bring in an expert (engineer, chemist, carpenter, artist, welder…)- to provide background information (have students develop powerful thoughtful questions prior). Engage in a contest for students where they have to create or conduct an experiment that is linked to a real world problem that needs a creative solution. At the end have the expert come in and judge to determine who would be commissioned, or who would win the bid.

Allow students to crate a question or problem (curricular related) for classmates to solve critically

Application: Authentic Learning

As you peruse examples, what are some ways that you could apply concept to your own curriculum and how students engage with learning?

Looking through your POS, as an individual or teaching partnership think of specific examples of how this concept could be infused in your subject area.

Authentic- direct link to real life, solving a real problem, or providing a service that the community needs

Allowing students to be creative, come up with unique solutions to solve the problem or meet the task based upon developed criteria.

Share examples with table group and large group

Possible Next Steps• Infuse Critical Thinking and Inquiry skills right away as

favorable learning opportunity arises:• Science Experiments- have students develop experiment

possibilities to reach desired outcome, or provide students with materials needed and have them solve how to use materials to create

• Math- have students formulate problems for classmates to solve, provide time for students to reason and figure out steps on own, before jumping in.

• Begin with one critical thinking skill embedded in context of curriculum:• Developing powerful questions• Developing criteria• Analyzing images, media and text

• Link to a larger Authentic curricular project that incorporates these critical thinking and inquiry learning skills where students:• Provide students with opportunities to develop inquiry

questions that they will apply critical thinking skills towards as they are learning their content in a personalized and meaningful manner

• Bring in experts to judge student work based upon criteria• Have students solve a real world problem or service

Additional Resources- 10 mins.

TC2 (The Critical Thinking Consortium): Electronic Source Book   (includes Learn Alberta Critical

Challenges that are embedded into SS curriculum, which can be assessed via Learn Alberta by Grade level, Topic and specific outcomes

On-line Store  Professional Resources- including discussions and stories from the

classroom in relation to critical thinking  Publications and On-line Subscriptions  One hour webinar sessions ($20 fee)- excellent interactive sessions in

relation to critical thinking and inquiry across curriculum and grade levels.  Month by month calendar of offerings to choose from.

Various Books and Resources Carmen Christie-Bill can be booked to help plan with individual

or groups of teachers as requested (curricular samples & resources compiled for CESD)