Philip -- I think what you're raising is important. Can you share any
strategies you've used to help students feel comfortable expressing what
they know about the world?

Also, do you have any thoughts on how to do PD in a way that develops
*teachers'* critical thinking skills. I do believe it's a skill for all
of us to be honing all the time.

Cynthia



>>> "Anderson, Philip" <Philip.Anderson at fldoe.org> 07/10/08 5:09 PM >>>

Good points, Andy.  I appreciate your response.  I think I should have
said that their critical thinking skills lead them to hide what they
know about the world - it is a strategy that has kept them safe in
situations that they felt may pose danger. 

What I think we might need to include in PD is the fact that adult ELLs,
no matter their level, often have good critical thinking skills.  Some
teachers may at times perceive the low level adult ELL students as
persons who are underdeveloped in their critical thinking skills, and
not, as you said, the same as they are, people who do have critical
thinking skills even though they may apply them inconsistently, and who
could perhaps benefit from thinking in new and varied ways.  


CONTACT INFORMATION
Philip Anderson
Adult ESOL Program
Florida Department of Education
Tel (850) 245-9450

 

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 -----Original Message-----
From: professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov
[mailto:professionaldevelopment-bounces at nifl.gov] On Behalf Of Andy Nash
Sent: Thursday, July 10, 2008 4:16 PM
To: professionaldevelopment at nifl.gov
Subject: [ProfessionalDevelopment 2253] Re: Whatdo
wemeanbystudentinvolvement and critical thinking?

Hmm, I see it more as a matter of being inconsistent in where and how we
use those critical thinking skills. I consider myself a pretty critical
thinker, but there are many times I'll hear someone else questioning
something that I bought hook, line, and sinker - I didn't think at all
critically about it. I believe that adult students are the same, which
is why it's useful to invite critical thinking in new and varied areas. 
Andy Nash


>>> "Anderson, Philip" <Philip.Anderson at fldoe.org> 07/10/08 3:46 PM >>>


What I am getting at here is that it may be important to recognize that
adult ELLs brim with critical thinking skills, but they also have
developed a (survival?) technique for hiding these skills from those
they perceive to be in authority and have more "school knowledge" than
they have.  Our professional development system may need to be sure to
prepare teachers for working successfully with these students.  

 CONTACT INFORMATION
Philip Anderson
Adult ESOL Program
Florida Department of Education
Tel (850) 245-9450


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