Critical Thinking: A Teacher's Guide
Ron Morrain
Learning for the Discerning // Teacher Guides for Self-directed CPD // Teacher Trainer // Public Speaker // Instructional Designer // University Lecturer
What is Critical Thinking?
(A Self-directed Learning Module for EFL Teachers)
A Brief Definition:
Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it.
Critical thinking is, in short, self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It requires rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use. It entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities, and a commitment to overcoming our native egocentrism and sociocentrism.
A practical way to explore critical thinking is through the framework developed by Richard Paul and Linda Elder. Paul and Elder define critical thinking as “that mode of thinking — about any subject, content, or problem — in which the thinker improves the quality of his or her thinking by skillfully taking charge of the structures inherent in thinking and imposing intellectual standards upon them.” In other words, a critical thinker applies intellectual standards to the elements of thought.
The Result: 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.
The Benefits of Critical Thinking:
1] Helps to improve decision-making. ...
2] Enhances problem-solving ability. ...
3] Refines research skills. ...
4] Polishes creativity. ...
5] Stimulates curiosity…
Learn more about Critical Thinking:
Let's start with some videos:
?Introduction Video: Encourage critical thinking with 3 questions
- Brian Oshiro (TEDTalk)
15 Ways to Develop Critical Thinking
How to teach critical thinking to beginners
Dr. Sarah Ivory - The University of Edinburgh
领英推荐
?Critical Thinking - Standards of Thought - Part 1
Critical Thinking - Standards of Thought - Part 2
Now, let's start Reading about Critical Thinking
?Critical thinking 101
?The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking
- Concepts and Tools (PDF)
?The Importance of Teaching Critical Thinking
?How to Apply Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Framework
?Paul‐Elder Model of Critical Thinking
- Questions List as a guide to Critical Thinking
Let's move to some deep research about Critical Thinking:
?Critical Thinking: Where to Begin
- via the Foundation for Critical Thinking
Edit