[ProfessionalDevelopment 2282] Understanding Critical ThinkingTaylor, Jackie jataylor at utk.eduMon Jul 14 10:38:37 EDT 2008
Dear Colleagues, As we continue to share ways to practice critical thinking (CT) with our students and others, what exactly are we talking about practicing? I've listed items (from our discussion - your words) that describe what we mean by CT: http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/Critical_Thinking:_Summary I've had difficulty finding a formal definition elsewhere -- I imagine because creating a static definition of CT is counterproductive to it. I've included one description from Stephen Brookfield below with links to other definitions and an article. Here is what I've heard so far: Critical thinking (CT) is more than logical analysis. Critical thinking includes: * Cognitive: logical processes in problem solving and moving through higher-order thinking skills as in Bloom's taxonomy, including interpretation, analysis, evaluation, inference, explanation, and related skills * Disposition: traits of a "good" critical thinker * "Critique": questioning underlying assumptions - the "what" and "why" of it * Purpose: a. Develop agency: the capacity, condition, or state of acting or of exerting power : operation (Merriam-Webster) b. Create and maintain a healthy democracy Would you categorize or describe this differently? What would you add that does not already fall under these categories? What would you remove? How does this compare to definitions in research and literature? (See below) Definitions from Research and Literature According to Stephen Brookfield: "Critical thinking can be recognized in the contexts of our personal relationships, work activities, and political involvements. This activity entails much more than the skills of logical analysis taught in so many college courses on critical thinking. It involves our calling into question the assumptions underlying our customary, habitual ways of thinking and acting and then being ready to think and act differently on the basis of this critical questioning." He goes on to say: "Being a critical thinker is part of what it means to be a developing person, and fostering critical thinking is crucial to creating and maintaining a healthy democracy. Without critical thinking our personal relationships become atrophied, our workplaces remain organized as they were 20 years ago, and our political involvements dwindle to the point of total nonparticipation." (Developing Critical Thinkers: Challenging Adults to Explore Alternative Ways of Thinking and Acting pg. 1). For a definition from Delphi research, visit: http://wiki.literacytent.org/index.php/Terms:Student_Involvement_and_Cri tical_Thinking For a layman's terms, see this helpful article: http://www.insightassessment.com/pdf_files/what&why2006.pdf I hope you'll share other useful definitions you've found. Thanks, Jackie Jackie Taylor, List Moderator, jataylor at utk.edu -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: http://www.nifl.gov/pipermail/professionaldevelopment/attachments/20080714/cb29c377/attachment-0001.html
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