Knowledge is generated through the interaction of critical and creative thinking. As an IB student in high school we are faced with problems that involve us using our minds for critical thinking. It is hard for students to engage their creative thinking in times when it is critical. We are rarely encouraged to use our creative minds during problems. In this world there are logical answers that is probed using critical thinking. But what is the right situation to use critical thinking? Can critical and creative thinking be used and interact with each other in certain problems or maybe all problems? In this essay I will focus on mathematics and natural sciences as two areas of knowledge.
Dictionary.com defines critical thinking as “Involving skillful judgment as to truth, merit.” Mathematics is an area of knowledge where critical thinking is key. Many find difficulty in doing well in math because they are not intact with the critical thinking. There are many definitions of critical thinking, but I believe that it means grasping the deeper meaning of problems. Critical thinking can and should be used, not only in the classroom but outside it as well.
Robert J. Sternberg (1985) believed that most schools that teach critical thinking are basically flawed. He believes that these schools focus much on formal reasoning tasks and not enough on the critical thinking skills needed in everyday life. In IB, we need to be able to recognize that problems exist and define the problems more precisely. When using critical thinking we have to observe and evaluate the problem in a way that does not interact with being self-contained.
Sternberg lists four critical thinking skills that are very important. These involve (1) obtaining information...
... middle of paper ...
...ical thinkers will be used and not creative and vice versa. In conclusion, knowledge is generated through the interaction of critical and creative thinking. In every course and curriculum we take we are challenged critically and creatively. Some courses involve more of creative thinking such as the arts, but it also involves critical. Hand in hand, creative and critical thinking generates great knowledge.
Works Cited
Crane, John, and Jette Hannibal. "What Is Psychology?" IB Diploma Programme: Psychology Course Companion. Oxford: Oxford Univ., 2009. 14-15. Print.
"Research Uncovers Children's Creative Mathematical Thinking." Children's Mathematics Network. Web. 16 Oct. 2011. .
Santrock, John W. "Thinking and Language." Psychology. Madison, WI: Brown & Benchmark, 1997. 253-54. Print.
The article, “Critical Thinking? You Need Knowledge” by Diane Ravitch, discusses how in the past people have been deprived from the thinking process and abstract thinking skills. Students need to be given more retainable knowledge by their teachers to improve their critical thinking skills. (Ravitch).
Passer, M., Smith, R., Holt, N., Bremner, A., Sutherland, E., & Vliek, M. (2009). Psychology; Science of Mind and Behaviour. (European Edition). New York.
Davis, S. F., & Palladino, J. J. (2003). Psychology. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Prentice Hall.
The author Vincent Ruggiero defines critical thinking in his book Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking, as a “search for answers, a quest.” It is the idea that one does not accept claims, ideas, and arguments blindly, but questions and researches these things before making a decision on them. From what I learned in class, critical thinking is the concept of accepting that there are other people and cultures in this world that may have different opinions. It is being able to react rationally to these different opinions.
It is a source of education and a powerful resource in the life of every individual and in social life. Despite the fact that the identification and analysis of critical thinking skills are beyond the boundaries of a single discipline or subject, the learning and application of these skills require possession of certain knowledge. The value of critical thinking is lost if it is treated as a list of logical operations, and the possession of certain knowledge is regarded simply as a collection of information. The investigation of the relationship of a value judgment and the actual use may lead to a new assessment of the need for common concepts of critical thinking and the possession of certain knowledge in education (Paul,
Critical thinking is when an individual identifies and evaluates outside sources before making a decision. This is a very important still to learn to become an effective thinker and making educated choices. Critical thinking is fundamental when making choices, from selecting the right answer on multiple choice exams to choosing the right place and time to buy a house. An individual that has learned critical thinking is less expected to make poor choices that could potentially harm him or affect others. In theory this individual could calculate the consequences of his actions. A good critical thinker doesn’t need to memorize huge amounts of information. Instead, he asks questions, is open to alternative solutions, formulates theories,
Critical thinking has been defined in great depth over thousands of years yet comparison of many of these definitions show the emphasis alters between what characteristic is deemed most important for each individual. However the definition alters, the same three important principles are always included: scepticism, open-mindedness and objectivity. It is important for each individual to conclude his or her own definition of critical thinking to enable a specific authenticity that equates to an individuals academic work. This essay will show that while the true meaning of critical thinking doesn’t change, adapting a personal definition is vital for success in higher education and life skills.
Gross, R (2010). Psychology: The science of mind and behaviour. 6th ed. London: Hodder Education. p189.
Dictionary.com defines critical thinking as “the mental process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information to reach an answer or conclusion” (2011). A well-educated critical thinker will raise important questions as well as define problems or issue, in a clear and precise manner, gathering, and evaluating relevant information using abstract and informative ideas. The critical thinker as well will interpret the information effectively to come to a well-rounded conclusion and a well formulated solution, testing them alongside the relevant standards and criteria. Open mindedness is vital, within one’s thinking processes within alternate systems of thought, the critical thinker will recognize and assess, his or her assumptions, practical consequences, implications, by communicating effectively with other individuals to figure out a possible outcome to multifaceted issues (Criticalthinking.org).
(2004) Psychology (2nd European edition). Essex: Pearson Education Limited Gross, R (1996).Psychology, The Science of mind and behaviour (3rd Ed). London: Hodder & Stoughton
Critical thinking means accurate thinking in the search of appropriate and dependable knowledge about the world. Another way to describe it is sensible, insightful, responsible, and skillful thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do. Critical thinking is not being able to process information well enough to know to stop for red lights or whether you established the right change at the supermarket.
Critical thinking is the careful scrutiny of what is stated as true or what appears to be true and the resulting expression of an opinion or conclusion based on that scrutiny, and (2) the creative formulation of an opinion or conclusion when presented with a question, problem or issue, (Kist-Ashman, 2011, p. 33).
Mathematics can be concrete and use reason as a way of knowing. These are learned concepts with repetitive procedure. Critical thinking is a type of reasoning that uses logic that will never deviate. The early concepts of mathematics taught in schools are thought to be concrete with fixed steps and formulas for solving problems. One only has to think about the steps previously taught and accept them to be true. The concepts can only be accepted to be true by using the skills to process and generate information and belief. The use of the skills as an “exercise” with no meaning or understanding is not critical thinking however. It is always believed that the area of a right triangle is one half the base times the height. Reasoning can be used through the drawing of a grid to prove this formula to be true. Therefore, mathematics uses critical thinking as a way of known skills to guide behavior based on intellectual commit...
None of us think critically all the time. Well-cultivated thinkers communicate effectively among others in solving complex problems and other matters in question. In short, creative and critical thinking is all about ones’ self (self corrective, self discipline, self directed).
In a student's opinion critical thinking is gathering all necessary information and using rational judgment to filter out personal opinions and true facts. Rationality allows for information to be based on evidence and finding the best explanation possible. When critically thinking, it is important to weigh out the pros and cons of the situation. Following this process will allow an individual to get past personal biased opinions and view the situation from all prospectives. This all ties in to judgment. Critical thinking is better implemented when judgment is used so that new ideas and explanations can be taken into consideration. Critical thinking is about asking questions and exploring new ideas. Critical thinking allows individuals to facilitate a number of non personal analyzes o...