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Introduction With the development of human society, we have stepped in to the information age, leading the cost of decision-making significant increased. This special age has focused attention on good thinking as an important element of life success (Huitt, 1995; Thomas & Smoot, 1994). This report will provide an overall description of what critical thinking is, and explain what it means for students to do critical thinking. Overall description of critical thinking The definition of critical thinking has changed somehow over the past few decades. Critical thinking first used by Plato and Aristotle in about 350 BC, the writings of Socrates, encouraged their followers to explore theories and concepts, because they believe that the final result of analysis of facts and conditions, were usually not what they appeared on the surface(Sam & Frederick,2006). Chance described critical thinking is the ability to analyze facts, generate and organize ideas, defend opinions, make comparisons, draw inferences, evaluate arguments and solve problems in 1986. Then in 1995, it has been defined as a skillful, responsible thinking that facilitates good judgment because it is sensitive to context, and is self-correcting (Lipman, 1995, p. 146). Moreover, numbers of separate groups have made significant contributions to the definition of critical thinking based on their perspectives. Philosophy reminded that critical thinking is a process of thinking to a standard, psychology established the operational definitions that associated with critical thinking, and Content specialists demonstrated how critical thinking can be adopted in different content areas (Huitt,1998). What it means for student to be able “critical thinking” According to Ferrett’s su... ... middle of paper ... ... State University. Retrieved May 1998, from http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/context/infoage.html Huitt, W. (1998). Critical thinking: An overview. Educational Psychology Interactive. Valdosta, GA: Valdosta State University. Retrieved from, http://www.edpsycinteractive.org/topics/cognition/critthnk.html Lipman, M. (1995). Critical thinking - what can it be? In A. Ornstein & L. Behar (Eds.) Contemporary issues in curriculum,pp. 145-152. Otley, D., (1980) The contingency theory of management accounting: achievements and prognosis, Accounting, Organizations and Society, Vol 5, No. 4, 413-428 Sam, N., & Frederick, R. (2006) “Critical thinking in organizations”, Team Performance Management, Vol. 12 Iss: 7/8, pp.272 – 277. Thomas, G., & Smoot, G. (1994, February/March). Critical thinking: A vital work skill. Trust for Educational Leadership, 23, pp34-38.
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).
The Critical Thinking Community defines critical thinking as, “the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication,
Paul, R. and Elder, L., (2008). The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking-Concepts and Tools, 5th. Ed., Foundation for Critical Thinking Press: Dillon Beach, CA
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.
Critical thinking provides an opportunity to explore the positive and negative sides of an argument for and against an idea, theory or notion. Reasoning and perception is attuned to personal impression and provides outcome to belief and opinion.
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 is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skilfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and/or evaluating information gathered from or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. (Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2011) Critical thinking consists of elements such as reasoning and intellectual standards that enable logical analysis to take place thus leading to impartial conclusions. It is through applying intellectual standards to reasoning however that critical thinking can take place.
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.
What is critical thinking? Encarta Pocket Dictionary defines critical thinking as a type of critical analysis. Encarta Pocket Dictionary defines a decision as firmness in choosing something. The authors of Whatever It Takes suggest that decision-making material and literature tend to emphasize the product of decision-making but does not emphasize the actual process of decision-making. Critical thinking is the mechanical process by which problems are perceived, alternative solutions weighed, and rational decisions are made and decision-making is streams of choices (McCall, Kaplan, xv).
The aim of this book is to demonstrate the importance of critical thinking and demonstrate how critical these skills are for students to master. Just like how we learned other skills and mastered them, we also need to learn to think critically. For example, we can master let’s say a problem until we memorize a problem, however if we master critical thinking then we have tools to analyze and provide solutions to other problems. As the authors Elder and Paul (2007) states that not many students have been thought to analyze (p.41).
Critical thinking entails effective communication and problem-solving abilities. Critical thinking is also self-guided to thinking allowing to use intellectual tools such as concepts and principles that enables you to analyze, assess and improve thinking skills. Critical thinking is the art of probing and assessing thinking with an opinion to cultivating it. As I observe my critical thinking as of today, I like to take time to analyzing a step by step process to ensure I have thoroughly come to the best conclusion outcome.
Once students graduate high school, they are a vital part of society; to help the community they will need to have the proper education. When these students enter the community on their own, they will need to possess critical thinking skills to solve difficult problems. “Schools don’t teach kids how to really think critically,” says Annmarie Neal, a psychologist and vice president for talent management at Cisco systems (Clemmitt “Critical Thinking” 315). When students leave high school and college, they will need to be able to think through tough situations. They will be given a problem, but, unlike in schools, the answers will not be as clear as multiple choice questions. Critical thinking is an important skill for students to have to enter
Critical thinking is a significant and essential topic in recent education. The strategy of critical thinking skills helps identify areas in one's courses as the suitable place to highlight, expand and use some problems in exams that test students' critical thinking skills.
Rudd, R. (2007). Defining critical thinking. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 82(7) 46-49. Retrieved December 9, 2007, from EBSCOhost database.