Q1: Lower Order Thinking (Knowing, Understanding, Applying): What is critical thinking and what are at least three forms it can take?
Q2: Higher Order Thinking (Analyze and Create): How could you create a classroom environment that is conducive to critical thinking? Name at least three ways to nurture critical thinking and describe one way you would demonstrate or apply it in your future classroom.
Q1: lower order
ReplyDeleteThe process of critical thinking involves the analysis of information. This analysis involves the evaluation of accuracy, credibility, and worthiness of information you are given. Critical thinking can take multiple forms such as, verbal reasoning, argument analysis, probabilistic reasoning, and hypothesis testing.
I agree with your labels here of knowledge, understanding and application. I had to demonstrate an understanding of the information to answer the question.
Q2: higher order
I believe that teachers must ask higher-order questions as much as possible in their classrooms to evoke critical thinking. Critical thinking will enable students to use knowledge to conceptualize different concepts, consider cause and effect, inquire about the validity of explanations, question accuracy of information, and to create their own explanations and develop new ideas for approaching difficult issues and topics. In my own classroom, to create an environment conducive to critical thinking I will model it to my students. By sharing my own thinking, and processes that occur to trigger my thinking I am modeling critical thinking strategies. In addition, instead of teaching SO many topics rather quickly, I will teach fewer of them but in greater depth so they have the time to practice critical thinking without devoting the proper time to a topic. Furthermore, I will involve my students in activities that require critical thinking such as a debate about a controversial issue. This activity requires students to consider perspectives often different from their own and often requires them to construct a new perspective.
I loved this question and I agree with your labels. I think critical thinking is INCREDIBLY important for students to learn. (And your question helped me do that!) Ultimately, students who think critically are better able to participate in public life and be civically competent. Critical thinking is a complex process that often requires students to step outside of their own comfort zone, cultural background, and perceptions.
1.) Critical thinking is the process of evaluating and analyzing a complex situation and using reasoning to come to a conclusion about the problem/situation. The four forms of critical thinking are Verbal Reasoning, Argument Analysis, Probabilistic Reasoning, and Hypothesis Testing. (This question required me to know and understand)
ReplyDelete2.) Three ways to foster critical thinking are teaching fewer topics but going deeper in depth, modelling critical thinking in the classroom, and giving students lots of opportunities to practice it. I think the strategy I would be most likely to use would be giving them the opportunities to critically think. I would try to give them numerous examples of situations in which they would have to use critical thinking. On the exams that I created I would also try to include some sort of critical thinking problem. I think critical thinking would be easily included in Math, Science, and Social Studies lessons. (This question required me to apply and create)