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Strategies for encouraging critical thinking skills in students.
With kids today dealing with information overload, the ability to think critically has become a forgotten skill. But critical thinking skills enable students to analyze, evaluate, and apply information, fostering their ability to solve complex problems and make informed decisions. So how do we bridge that gap?
As educators, we need to use more strategies that promote critical thinking in our students. These seven strategies can help students cultivate their critical thinking skills. (These strategies can be modified for all students with the aid of a qualified educator.)
1. Encourage Questioning
One of the fundamental pillars of critical thinking is curiosity. Encourage students to ask questions about the subject matter and challenge existing assumptions. Create a safe and supportive environment where students feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and ideas. By nurturing their inquisitive nature, you can stimulate critical thinking and empower students to explore different perspectives.
2. Foster Discussions
Engage students in meaningful discussions that require them to examine various viewpoints. Encourage active participation, respectful listening, and constructive criticism. Assign topics that involve controversial and current issues, enabling students to analyze arguments, provide evidence, and formulate their own conclusions in a safe environment.
By engaging in intellectual discourse, students refine their critical thinking skills while honing their ability to articulate and defend their positions. And remember to offer sentence starters for ELD students to feel successful and included in the process, such as:
- "I felt the character Wilbur was a good friend to Charlotte because..."
- "I felt the character Wilbur was not a good friend to Charlotte because..."
3. Teach Information Evaluation
In the age of readily available information, students must be able to evaluate sources. Teach your students how to assess information's credibility, bias, and relevance. Encourage them to cross-reference multiple sources and identify reliable and reputable resources.
Emphasize the importance of distinguishing fact from opinion and encourage students to question the validity of claims. Providing students with tools and frameworks for information evaluation equips them to make informed judgments and enhances their critical thinking abilities.
4. Incorporate Problem-Solving Activities
Integrate problem-solving activities into your curriculum to foster critical thinking skills. Provide students with real-world scenarios that require analysis, synthesis, and decision-making. These activities can include case studies, group projects, or simulations.
Encourage students to break down complex problems into manageable parts, consider alternative solutions, and evaluate the potential outcomes. Students will begin to develop their critical thinking skills and apply their knowledge to practical situations by engaging in problem-solving activities.
5. Promote Reflection and Metacognition
Allocate time for reflection and metacognitive (an understanding of one's thought process) practices. Encourage students to review their thinking processes and reflect on their learning experiences. For example, what went right and/or wrong helps students evaluate the learning process.
Provide prompts that help your students analyze their reasoning, identify biases, and recognize areas for improvement. Journaling, self-assessments, and group discussions can facilitate this reflective process. By engaging in metacognition, students become more aware of their thinking patterns and develop strategies to enhance their critical thinking abilities.
6. Encourage Creative Thinking
Creativity and critical thinking go hand in hand. Encourage students to think creatively by incorporating open-ended tasks and projects. Assign projects requiring them to think outside the box, develop innovative solutions, and analyze potential risks and benefits. Emphasize the value of brainstorming, divergent thinking, and considering multiple perspectives. By nurturing creative thinking, students develop the ability to approach problems from unique angles, fostering their critical thinking skills.
7. Provide Scaffolding and Support
Recognize that critical thinking is a developmental process. Provide scaffolding and support as students build their critical thinking skills. This strategy is especially important for students needing additional help as outlined in their IEP or 504.
Offer guidance, modeling, and feedback to help students navigate complex tasks. Gradually increase the complexity of assignments and provide opportunities for independent thinking and decision-making. By offering appropriate support, you empower students to develop their critical thinking skills while building their confidence and independence.
Implement Critical Thinking Strategies Now
Cultivating critical thinking skills in your students is vital for their academic success and their ability to thrive in an ever-changing world. By implementing various strategies, educators can foster an environment that nurtures critical thinking skills. As students develop these skills, they become active learners who can analyze, evaluate, and apply knowledge effectively, enabling them to tackle challenges and make informed decisions throughout their lives.
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Strategies to Increase Critical Thinking Skills in studentsTeach Better Team October 2, 2019 Blog , Engage Better , Lesson Plan Better , Personalize Student Learning Better  In This Post:
We ask our teachers to be “future-ready” or say that we are teaching “for jobs that don’t exist yet.” These are powerful statements. At the same time, they give teachers the impression that we have to drastically change what we are doing . So how do we plan education for an unknown job market or unknown needs? My answer: We can’t predict the jobs, but whatever they are, students will need to think critically to do them. So, our job is to teach our students HOW to think, not WHAT to think. Helping Students Become Critical ThinkersMy answer is rooted in the call to empower our students to be critical thinkers. I believe that to be critical thinkers, educators need to provide students with the strategies they need. And we need to ask more than just surface-level questions. Questions to students must motivate them to dig up background knowledge. They should inspire them to make connections to real-world scenarios. These make the learning more memorable and meaningful. Critical thinking is a general term. I believe this term means that students effectively identify, analyze, and evaluate content or skills. In this process, they (the students) will discover and present convincing reasons in support of their answers or thinking. You can look up critical thinking and get many definitions like this one from Wikipedia: “ Critical thinking consists of a mental process of analyzing or evaluating information, particularly statements or propositions that people have offered as true. ” Essential Skills for Critical ThinkingIn my current role as director of curriculum and instruction, I work to promote the use of 21st-century tools and, more importantly, thinking skills. Some essential skills that are the basis for critical thinking are:
These four bullets are skills students are going to need in any field and in all levels of education. Hence my answer to the question. We need to teach our students to think critically and for themselves. One of the goals of education is to prepare students to learn through discovery . Providing opportunities to practice being critical thinkers will assist students in analyzing others’ thinking and examining the logic of others. Understanding others is an essential skill in collaboration and in everyday life. Critical thinking will allow students to do more than just memorize knowledge. Ask QuestionsSo how do we do this? One recommendation is for educators to work in-depth questioning strategies into a lesson launch. Ask thoughtful questions to allow for answers with sound reasoning. Then, word conversations and communication to shape students’ thinking. Quick answers often result in very few words and no eye contact, which are skills we don’t want to promote. When you are asking students questions and they provide a solution, try some of these to promote further thinking:
Utilizing critical thinking skills could be seen as a change in the paradigm of teaching and learning. Engagement in education will enhance the collaboration among teachers and students. It will also provide a way for students to succeed even if the school system had to start over. [scroll down to keep reading]Promoting critical thinking into all aspects of instruction. Engagement, application, and collaboration are skills that withstand the test of time. I also promote the integration of critical thinking into every aspect of instruction. In my experience, I’ve found a few ways to make this happen. Begin lessons/units with a probing question: It shouldn’t be a question you can answer with a ‘yes’ or a ‘no.’ These questions should inspire discovery learning and problem-solving. Encourage Creativity: I have seen teachers prepare projects before they give it to their students many times. For example, designing snowmen or other “creative” projects. By doing the design work or by cutting all the circles out beforehand, it removes creativity options. It may help the classroom run more smoothly if every child’s material is already cut out, but then every student’s project looks the same. Students don’t have to think on their own or problem solve. Not having everything “glue ready” in advance is a good thing. Instead, give students all the supplies needed to create a snowman, and let them do it on their own. Giving independence will allow students to become critical thinkers because they will have to create their own product with the supplies you give them. This might be an elementary example, but it’s one we can relate to any grade level or project. Try not to jump to help too fast – let the students work through a productive struggle . Build in opportunities for students to find connections in learning. Encouraging students to make connections to a real-life situation and identify patterns is a great way to practice their critical thinking skills. The use of real-world scenarios will increase rigor, relevance, and critical thinking. A few other techniques to encourage critical thinking are:
Critical thinking prepares students to think for themselves for the rest of their lives. I also believe critical thinkers are less likely to go along with the crowd because they think for themselves. About Matthew X. Joseph, Ed.D.Dr. Matthew X. Joseph has been a school and district leader in many capacities in public education over his 25 years in the field. Experiences such as the Director of Digital Learning and Innovation in Milford Public Schools (MA), elementary school principal in Natick, MA and Attleboro, MA, classroom teacher, and district professional development specialist have provided Matt incredible insights on how to best support teaching and learning. This experience has led to nationally publishing articles and opportunities to speak at multiple state and national events. He is the author of Power of Us: Creating Collaborative Schools and co-author of Modern Mentoring , Reimagining Teacher Mentorship (Due out, fall 2019). His master’s degree is in special education and his Ed.D. in Educational Leadership from Boston College. Visit Matthew’s Blog  JavaScript seems to be disabled in your browser. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser.
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How To Promote Critical Thinking In Your ClassroomPromoting Thinking November 25, 2006, by The Critical Thinking Co. Staff Modeling of critical thinking skills by instructors is crucial for teaching critical thinking successfully. By making your own thought processes explicit in class - explaining your reasoning, evaluating evidence for a claim, probing the credibility of a source, or even describing what has puzzled or confused you - you provide a powerful example to students, particularly if you invite them to join in; e.g., "Can you see where we're headed with this?" "I can't think of other explanations; can you?" "This idea/principle struck me as difficult or confusing at first, but here's how I figured it out." You can encourage students to emulate this by using them in demonstrations, asking them to "think out loud" in order for classmates to observe how they reason through a problem. Develop the habit of asking questions that require students to think critically, and tell students that you really expect them to give answers! In particular, Socratic questioning encourages students to develop and clarify their thinking: e.g., "Would your answer hold in all cases?" "How would you respond to a counter-example or counter-argument?" "Explain how you arrived at that answer?" This is another skill that students can learn from your example, and can use in working with each other. Providing regular opportunities for pair or small group discussions after major points or demonstrations during lectures is also important: this allows students to process the new material, connect it to previously learned topics, and practice asking questions that promote further critical thinking. Obviously, conveying genuine respect for student input is essential. Communicating the message that you value and support student contributions and efforts to think critically increases confidence, and motivates students to continue building their thinking skills. An essential component of this process is the creation of a climate where students feel comfortable with exploring the process of reasoning through a problem without being "punished" for getting the wrong answer. Researchers have found consistently that interaction among students, in the form of well-structured group discussions plays a central role in stimulating critical thinking. Discussing course material and its applications allows students to formulate and test hypotheses, practice asking thought-provoking questions, hear other perspectives, analyze claims, evaluate evidence, and explain and justify their reasoning. As they become more sophisticated and fluent in thinking critically, students can observe and critique each others' reasoning skills. Educationise 11 Activities That Promote Critical Thinking In The ClassIgnite your child’s curiosity with our exclusive “Learning Adventures Activity Workbook for Kids” a perfect blend of education and adventure! Critical thinking activities encourage individuals to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information to develop informed opinions and make reasoned decisions. Engaging in such exercises cultivates intellectual agility, fostering a deeper understanding of complex issues and honing problem-solving skills for navigating an increasingly intricate world. Through critical thinking, individuals empower themselves to challenge assumptions, uncover biases, and constructively contribute to discourse, thereby enriching both personal growth and societal progress. Critical thinking serves as the cornerstone of effective problem-solving, enabling individuals to dissect challenges, explore diverse perspectives, and devise innovative solutions grounded in logic and evidence. For engaging problem solving activities, read our article problem solving activities that enhance student’s interest. 52 Critical Thinking Flashcards for Problem Solving What is Critical Thinking? Critical thinking is a 21st-century skill that enables a person to think rationally and logically in order to reach a plausible conclusion. A critical thinker assesses facts and figures and data objectively and determines what to believe and what not to believe. Critical thinking skills empower a person to decipher complex problems and make impartial and better decisions based on effective information. More Articles from Educationise
Importance of Acquiring Critical Thinking SkillsCritical thinking skills cultivate habits of mind such as strategic thinking, skepticism, discerning fallacy from the facts, asking good questions and probing deep into the issues to find the truth. Acquiring critical thinking skills was never as valuable as it is today because of the prevalence of the modern knowledge economy. Today, information and technology are the driving forces behind the global economy. To keep pace with ever-changing technology and new inventions, one has to be flexible enough to embrace changes swiftly. Today critical thinking skills are one of the most sought-after skills by the companies. In fact, critical thinking skills are paramount not only for active learning and academic achievement but also for the professional career of the students. The lack of critical thinking skills catalyzes memorization of the topics without a deeper insight, egocentrism, closed-mindedness, reduced student interest in the classroom and not being able to make timely and better decisions. Incorporating critical thinking lessons into the curriculum equips students with the tools they need to navigate the complexities of the modern world, fostering a mindset that is adaptable, inquisitive, and capable of discerning truth from misinformation. Benefits of Critical Thinking for Students Certain strategies are more eloquent than others in teaching students how to think critically. Encouraging critical thinking in the classroom is indispensable for the learning and growth of the students. In this way, we can raise a generation of innovators and thinkers rather than followers. Some of the benefits offered by thinking critically in the classroom are given below:
Read our article: How to Foster Critical Thinking Skills in Students? Creative Strategies and Real-World Examples
Critical Thinking Lessons and Activities 11 Activities that Promote Critical Thinking in the ClassWe have compiled a list of 11 critical thinking activities for students that will facilitate you to promote critical thinking abilities in the students. By incorporating these activities, educators can introduce real-world examples of critical thinking in the classroom, empowering students to apply these skills in everyday situations. We have also covered problem solving activities that enhance student’s interest in our another article. Click here to read it. 1. Worst Case ScenarioDivide students into teams and introduce each team with a hypothetical challenging scenario. Allocate minimum resources and time to each team and ask them to reach a viable conclusion using those resources. The scenarios can include situations like stranded on an island or stuck in a forest. Students will come up with creative solutions to come out from the imaginary problematic situation they are encountering. Besides encouraging students to think critically, this activity will enhance teamwork, communication and problem-solving skills of the students. This critical thinking activity not only pushes students to devise innovative solutions in challenging scenarios but also strengthens their teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities, making it an engaging and educational experience. Read our article: 10 Innovative Strategies for Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom 2. If You Build ItIt is a very flexible game that allows students to think creatively. To start this activity, divide students into groups. Give each group a limited amount of resources such as pipe cleaners, blocks, and marshmallows etc. Every group is supposed to use these resources and construct a certain item such as building, tower or a bridge in a limited time. You can use a variety of materials in the classroom to challenge the students. This activity is helpful in promoting teamwork and creative skills among the students. Incorporating critical thinking games like this into your classroom not only promotes teamwork and creativity but also challenges students to think outside the box as they work together to build their structures. It is also one of the classics which can be used in the classroom to encourage critical thinking. Print pictures of objects, animals or concepts and start by telling a unique story about the printed picture. The next student is supposed to continue the story and pass the picture to the other student and so on. This engaging exercise is one of the most effective critical thinking activities for kids, as it encourages them to use their creativity and problem-solving skills while working together to construct innovative structures with limited resources. 4. Keeping it RealIn this activity, you can ask students to identify a real-world problem in their schools, community or city. After the problem is recognized, students should work in teams to come up with the best possible outcome of that problem. 5. Save the EggMake groups of three or four in the class. Ask them to drop an egg from a certain height and think of creative ideas to save the egg from breaking. Students can come up with diverse ideas to conserve the egg like a soft-landing material or any other device. Remember that this activity can get chaotic, so select the area in the school that can be cleaned easily afterward and where there are no chances of damaging the school property. 6. Start a DebateIn this activity, the teacher can act as a facilitator and spark an interesting conversation in the class on any given topic. Give a small introductory speech on an open-ended topic. The topic can be related to current affairs, technological development or a new discovery in the field of science. Encourage students to participate in the debate by expressing their views and ideas on the topic. Conclude the debate with a viable solution or fresh ideas generated during the activity through brainstorming. 7. Create and InventThis project-based learning activity is best for teaching in the engineering class. Divide students into groups. Present a problem to the students and ask them to build a model or simulate a product using computer animations or graphics that will solve the problem. After students are done with building models, each group is supposed to explain their proposed product to the rest of the class. The primary objective of this activity is to promote creative thinking and problem-solving skills among the students. 8. Select from AlternativesThis activity can be used in computer science, engineering or any of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) classes. Introduce a variety of alternatives such as different formulas for solving the same problem, different computer codes, product designs or distinct explanations of the same topic. Form groups in the class and ask them to select the best alternative. Each group will then explain its chosen alternative to the rest of the class with reasonable justification of its preference. During the process, the rest of the class can participate by asking questions from the group. This activity is very helpful in nurturing logical thinking and analytical skills among the students. 9. Reading and CritiquingPresent an article from a journal related to any topic that you are teaching. Ask the students to read the article critically and evaluate strengths and weaknesses in the article. Students can write about what they think about the article, any misleading statement or biases of the author and critique it by using their own judgments. In this way, students can challenge the fallacies and rationality of judgments in the article. Hence, they can use their own thinking to come up with novel ideas pertaining to the topic. 10. Think Pair ShareIn this activity, students will come up with their own questions. Make pairs or groups in the class and ask the students to discuss the questions together. The activity will be useful if the teacher gives students a topic on which the question should be based. For example, if the teacher is teaching biology, the questions of the students can be based on reverse osmosis, human heart, respiratory system and so on. This activity drives student engagement and supports higher-order thinking skills among students. 11. Big Paper – Silent ConversationSilence is a great way to slow down thinking and promote deep reflection on any subject. Present a driving question to the students and divide them into groups. The students will discuss the question with their teammates and brainstorm their ideas on a big paper. After reflection and discussion, students can write their findings in silence. This is a great learning activity for students who are introverts and love to ruminate silently rather than thinking aloud. Incorporating critical thinking activities for high school students, like silent reflection and group brainstorming, encourages deep thought and collaboration, making it an effective strategy for engaging both introverted and extroverted learners. Finally, for students with critical thinking, you can go to GS-JJ.co m to customize exclusive rewards, which not only enlivens the classroom, but also promotes the development and training of students for critical thinking.  Share this:Discover more from educationise. Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email. Type your email… 4 thoughts on “ 11 Activities That Promote Critical Thinking In The Class ”
Thanks for the great article! Especially with the post-pandemic learning gap, these critical thinking skills are essential! It’s also important to teach them a growth mindset. If you are interested in that, please check out The Teachers’ Blog! Leave a Reply Cancel replySubscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive. Continue reading  The Will to Teach Critical Thinking in the Classroom: A Guide for TeachersIn the ever-evolving landscape of education, teaching students the skill of critical thinking has become a priority. This powerful tool empowers students to evaluate information, make reasoned judgments, and approach problems from a fresh perspective. In this article, we’ll explore the significance of critical thinking and provide effective strategies to nurture this skill in your students. Why is Fostering Critical Thinking Important?Strategies to cultivate critical thinking, real-world example, concluding thoughts. Critical thinking is a key skill that goes far beyond the four walls of a classroom. It equips students to better understand and interact with the world around them. Here are some reasons why fostering critical thinking is important:
 Creating an environment that encourages critical thinking can be accomplished in various ways. Here are some effective strategies:
As a school leader, I’ve seen the transformative power of critical thinking. During a school competition, I observed a team of students tasked with proposing a solution to reduce our school’s environmental impact. Instead of jumping to obvious solutions, they critically evaluated multiple options, considering the feasibility, cost, and potential impact of each. They ultimately proposed a comprehensive plan that involved water conservation, waste reduction, and energy efficiency measures. This demonstrated their ability to critically analyze a problem and develop an effective solution. Critical thinking is an essential skill for students in the 21st century. It equips them to understand and navigate the world in a thoughtful and informed manner. As a teacher, incorporating strategies to foster critical thinking in your classroom can make a lasting impact on your students’ educational journey and life beyond school. 1. What is critical thinking? Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. 2. Why is critical thinking important for students? Critical thinking helps students make informed decisions, develop analytical skills, and promotes independence. 3. What are some strategies to cultivate critical thinking in students? Strategies can include Socratic questioning, debates and discussions, teaching metacognition, and problem-solving activities. 4. How can I assess my students’ critical thinking skills? You can assess critical thinking skills through essays, presentations, discussions, and problem-solving tasks that require thoughtful analysis. 5. Can critical thinking be taught? Yes, critical thinking can be taught and nurtured through specific teaching strategies and a supportive learning environment.  Related Posts7 simple strategies for strong student-teacher relationships. Getting to know your students on a personal level is the first step towards building strong relationships. Show genuine interest in their lives outside the classroom.  Connecting Learning to Real-World Contexts: Strategies for TeachersWhen students see the relevance of their classroom lessons to their everyday lives, they are more likely to be motivated, engaged, and retain information.  Encouraging Active Involvement in Learning: Strategies for TeachersActive learning benefits students by improving retention of information, enhancing critical thinking skills, and encouraging a deeper understanding of the subject matter.  Collaborative and Cooperative Learning: A Guide for TeachersThese methods encourage students to work together, share ideas, and actively participate in their education.  Experiential Teaching: Role-Play and Simulations in TeachingThese interactive techniques allow students to immerse themselves in practical, real-world scenarios, thereby deepening their understanding and retention of key concepts.  Project-Based Learning Activities: A Guide for TeachersProject-Based Learning is a student-centered pedagogy that involves a dynamic approach to teaching, where students explore real-world problems or challenges. Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.  Promoting Critical Thinking in the Classroom: Strategies and Activitiesritical thinking is a valuable skill that empowers students to analyze information, think deeply, and make reasoned judgments. By promoting critical thinking in the classroom, educators can foster intellectual curiosity, enhance problem-solving abilities, and prepare students for success in an ever-evolving world. This article explores effective strategies and engaging activities to promote critical thinking among students. 1. Ask Thought-Provoking QuestionsEncourage critical thinking by asking open-ended and thought-provoking questions that stimulate students' analytical thinking. For example, in a history class, instead of asking "When did World War II start?" you could ask "What were the underlying causes of World War II and how did they contribute to its outbreak?" This prompts students to go beyond simple factual recall and encourages them to analyze historical events, evaluate multiple factors, and develop a deeper understanding of the topic. Instead of seeking one correct answer, focus on guiding students to explore different perspectives, evaluate evidence, and justify their reasoning. Engage students in discussions that require them to analyze, compare, and synthesize information. 2. Provide Real-World ExamplesConnect classroom learning to real-world applications by providing relevant examples and case studies. By presenting authentic scenarios, students can apply critical thinking skills to analyze and solve complex problems. Encourage students to think critically about the implications of their decisions and consider the broader impact of their choices. 3. Foster Collaboration and DebatePromote collaborative learning environments where students can engage in respectful debates and discussions. Encourage students to express diverse opinions, support their arguments with evidence, and listen actively to others' viewpoints. Through collaborative activities, students can learn to evaluate different perspectives, challenge assumptions, and develop their critical thinking skills. 4. Encourage Reflection and MetacognitionProvide opportunities for students to reflect on their thinking processes and metacognition. Ask students to evaluate their own problem-solving strategies, analyze their decision-making processes, and assess the effectiveness of their critical thinking skills. By promoting self-awareness and reflection, students can enhance their critical thinking abilities and become more independent learners. 5. Incorporate Problem-Based LearningIntegrate problem-based learning activities that require students to apply critical thinking skills to solve complex problems. For example, in a science class, present a real-world scenario where students need to design an experiment to test the effectiveness of different fertilizers on plant growth. This activity prompts students to analyze information about fertilizers, evaluate different options, and develop a well-reasoned experimental design. By engaging in hands-on problem-solving experiences like this, students can develop their critical thinking abilities while also building their content knowledge. Promoting critical thinking in the classroom is essential for developing students' analytical skills, problem-solving abilities, and intellectual curiosity. By incorporating strategies such as asking thought-provoking questions, providing real-world examples, fostering collaboration and debate, encouraging reflection and metacognition, and incorporating problem-based learning, educators can create an environment that nurtures critical thinking skills. By equipping students with this valuable skill set, we empower them to navigate complex challenges and become lifelong learners. 10 Ways to Foster Creativity in the ClassroomTop 10 educational podcasts for teachers on the go, best platforms to create a classroom blog: a comprehensive overview, 10 fun and engaging icebreaker activities for the first day of school, join our newsletter and get the latest posts to your inbox, 10 reasons why you should teach abroad: expanding horizons and making a difference, teacher burnout: recognizing and preventing exhaustion, the pros and cons of teaching in international schools, stay in touch.  There is More PostsTeaching in a year-round school: pros and cons, back-to-school organization tips for teachers. 
Win a $1,000 gift certificate of your choice! ✨ 10 Tips for Teaching Kids To Be Awesome Critical ThinkersHelp students dig deeper!  For more tips, check out Mentoring Minds’ Critical Thinking Strategies Guide —a flip chart packed with question stems and lesson ideas to help teach kids to become better critical and creative thinkers.  Getting students to dig deeper and answer questions using higher-level thinking can be a challenge. Here are our favorite tips for teaching critical thinking skills, adapted from Mentoring Minds’ Critical Thinking Strategies Guide, that help kids solve problems by going beyond the obvious response. 1. Slow down the pace.It’s easy to fall into a routine of calling on one of the first kids who raises a hand. But if you wait even just 3 to 5 seconds after asking a question, you’ll probably find the pool of students willing to give an answer grows significantly. Plus, it helps the speedy kids learn that the first answer that pops into their head isn’t always the best. There are times you may even want to wait up to a minute or longer if the question is particularly complex or time-consuming. To avoid an awkward pause, you can let kids know that they have 10 seconds to think before answering the question or that you need to see 10 hands raised from volunteers before you hear a response.  2. Pose a Question of the Day.Put a new spin on bell ringers by asking a Question of the Day. Use a questioning stem (e.g., create a riddle that uses the mathematics term “multiply” in one of the clues or write a letter to a classmate recommending this book) and put it on the board. Students can write answers in their critical-thinking journals. Then have a class discussion at the end of the day. 3. Make a response box.Write a random critical-thinking question on the board, (e.g., Is there a better way to work out this problem? Explain your thinking.). Give students a specified amount of time to provide a written response and put it in the response box. Pull out entries one by one and read them aloud to the class. Alternatively, you can give a prize—like a homework pass or free time—to the student with the first appropriate response whose name is drawn from the box or to everyone who submitted appropriate answers. 4. Take a side.First, read a statement that has two opposing views (e.g., Do you agree or disagree with the author? Why?). Ask kids who agree to stand on one side of the room and those who disagree to stand on the other side. Then have kids talk about why they chose each side. They can switch sides if they change their minds during the discussion.  5. Ask “why?” five times.When you encounter a problem in class, you can help the class come up with a solution by using the Why? Five Times strategy. Ask the first why question (e.g., Why didn’t the class do well on the spelling test?), and after a response is given, ask why four more times (e.g., Why didn’t students study for the test?, Why didn’t students have time to study for the test?, etc.). The idea is that after the fifth question is asked, the problem will be solved. 6. Role-play.Come up with an imaginary scenario and have kids work through the steps to solve a problem as a class. First, identify the problem and write it as a question (e.g., Why didn’t the science experiment work as planned?). Then brainstorm ideas to solve it and choose the best one to write as a solution statement. Finally, create an action plan to carry out the solution. 7. Go “hitchhiking.”Practice creative thinking by collaborating on a storyboard. Write a problem on an index card and pin it on the top of a bulletin board. Then put different headings on index cards and pin them below the main card. Have kids brainstorm ideas that develop each of the heading cards and let kids pin them on the board. Encourage kids to “go hitchhiking” by building onto their classmates’ ideas.  8. Turn around.A great way to focus on the positive in not-so-positive situations is the Turn Around thinking strategy. If a student forgets to bring his homework to school, you can ask, “What good can come of this?” The student can answer with ideas like, “I will change my routine before I go to bed.” 9. Put your pocket chart to good use.Choose six completed questioning stems from different levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy and put them in a pocket chart. Choose some strips as mandatory and let kids pick two from the higher levels to answer aloud or in a journal. 10. Hold a Q&A session.One way you can figure out how well kids are grasping critical-thinking skills is by holding question-and-answer sessions. Ask a variety of questions one-on-one or in small groups and take note of the levels of thought individual students use regularly and avoid over time. You can review your notes to help build more higher-order-thinking questions into your lessons. FREE E-BOOK! How to Build a 36-Week Character Education Program . S upport social-emotional learning through a critical thinking lens with 36 projects and activities plus tips, research, and more! You Might Also Like 100+ Critical Thinking Questions for Students To Ask About AnythingCritical thinkers question everything. Continue Reading Copyright © 2024. All rights reserved. 5335 Gate Parkway, Jacksonville, FL 32256 Critical Thinking: Facilitating and Assessing the 21st Century Skills in EducationSo many times we hear our students say, “Why am I learning this?”  I believe that Critical Thinking is the spark that begins the process of authentic learning. Before going further, we must first develop an idea of what learning is… and what learning is not. So many times we hear our students say, “Why am I learning this?” The reason they ask is because they have not really experienced the full spectrum of learning, and because of this are actually not learning to a full rewarding extent! We might say they are being exposed to surface learning and not authentic (real) learning. The act of authentic learning is actually an exciting and engaging concept. It allows students to see real meaning and begin to construct their own knowledge. Critical Thinking is core to learning. It is rewarding, engaging, and life long. Without critical thinking students are left to a universe of concepts and memorization. Yes… over twelve years of mediocrity! When educators employ critical thinking in their classrooms, a whole new world of understanding is opened up. What are some reasons to facilitate critical thinking with our students? Let me begin: Ten Reasons For Student Critical Thinking in the classroom
I am excited by the spark that critical thinking ignites to support real and authentic learning in the classroom. I often wonder how much time students spend in the process of critical thinking in the classroom. I ask you to reflect on your typical school day. Are your students spending time in area of surface learning , or are they plunging into the engaging culture of deeper (real) learning? At the same time … how are you assessing your students? So many times as educators, we are bound by the standards, and we forget the importance of promoting that critical thinking process that makes our standards come alive with understanding. A culture of critical thinking is not automatic, though with intentional planning it can become a reality. Like the other 21st century skills, it must be built and continuously facilitated. Let’s take a look at how, we as educators, can do this. Ten Ways to Facilitate Student Critical Thinking in the Classroom and School
I keep talking about the idea of surface learning and deeper learning. This can best be seen in Bloom’s Taxonomy. Often we start with Remembering. This might be essential in providing students the map to the further areas of Bloom’s. Of course, we then find the idea of Understanding. This is where I believe critical thinking begins. Sometimes we need to critically think in order to understand. In fact, you might be this doing right now. I believe that too much time might be spent in Remembering, which is why students get a false idea of what learning really is. As we look at the rest of Bloom’s ( Apply, Analyze, Evaluate, and Create) we can see the deeper learning take place. and even steps toward the transfer and internalization of the learning. Some educators even tip Bloom’s upside down, stating that the Creating at the top will build an understanding. This must be done with careful facilitation and intentional scaffold to make sure there is some surface learning. After-all, Critical Thinking will need this to build on. I have been mentioning rubrics and assessment tools through out this post. To me, these are essential in building that culture of critical thinking in the classroom. I want to provide you with some great resources that will give your some powerful tools to assess the skill of Critical Thinking. Keep in mind that students can also self assess and journal using prompts from a Critical Thinking Rubric. Seven Resources to Help with Assessment and Facilitation of Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking “I Can Statements”As you can see, I believe that Critical Thinking is key to PBL, STEM, and Deeper Learning. It improves Communication and Collaboration, while promoting Creativity. I believe every student should have these following “I Can Statements” as part of their learning experience. Feel free to copy and use in your classroom. Perhaps this is a great starting place as you promote collaborative and powerful learning culture!
cross-posted at 21centuryedtech.wordpress.com Michael Gorman oversees one-to-one laptop programs and digital professional development for Southwest Allen County Schools near Fort Wayne, Indiana. He is a consultant for Discovery Education, ISTE, My Big Campus, and November Learning and is on the National Faculty for The Buck Institute for Education. His awards include district Teacher of the Year, Indiana STEM Educator of the Year and Microsoft’s 365 Global Education Hero. Read more at 21centuryedtech.wordpress.com . Tech & Learning NewsletterTools and ideas to transform education. Sign up below. PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Wonder Workshop's Make Wonder Platform Offers Educators A Best-In-Class Solution For Teaching Coding and Robotics to K-8 Students Educator Edtech Review: nXu How A Cellphone Ban Might Impact Equity, Digital Citizenship, and Local Control in Schools Most Popular
Classroom Q&AWith larry ferlazzo. In this EdWeek blog, an experiment in knowledge-gathering, Ferlazzo will address readers’ questions on classroom management, ELL instruction, lesson planning, and other issues facing teachers. Send your questions to [email protected]. Read more from this blog. Integrating Critical Thinking Into the Classroom
(This is the second post in a three-part series. You can see Part One here .) The new question-of-the-week is: What is critical thinking and how can we integrate it into the classroom? Part One ‘s guests were Dara Laws Savage, Patrick Brown, Meg Riordan, Ph.D., and Dr. PJ Caposey. Dara, Patrick, and Meg were also guests on my 10-minute BAM! Radio Show . You can also find a list of, and links to, previous shows here. Today, Dr. Kulvarn Atwal, Elena Quagliarello, Dr. Donna Wilson, and Diane Dahl share their recommendations. ‘Learning Conversations’Dr. Kulvarn Atwal is currently the executive head teacher of two large primary schools in the London borough of Redbridge. Dr. Atwal is the author of The Thinking School: Developing a Dynamic Learning Community , published by John Catt Educational. Follow him on Twitter @Thinkingschool2 : In many classrooms I visit, students’ primary focus is on what they are expected to do and how it will be measured. It seems that we are becoming successful at producing students who are able to jump through hoops and pass tests. But are we producing children that are positive about teaching and learning and can think critically and creatively? Consider your classroom environment and the extent to which you employ strategies that develop students’ critical-thinking skills and their self-esteem as learners. Development of self-esteem One of the most significant factors that impacts students’ engagement and achievement in learning in your classroom is their self-esteem. In this context, self-esteem can be viewed to be the difference between how they perceive themselves as a learner (perceived self) and what they consider to be the ideal learner (ideal self). This ideal self may reflect the child that is associated or seen to be the smartest in the class. Your aim must be to raise students’ self-esteem. To do this, you have to demonstrate that effort, not ability, leads to success. Your language and interactions in the classroom, therefore, have to be aspirational—that if children persist with something, they will achieve. Use of evaluative praise Ensure that when you are praising students, you are making explicit links to a child’s critical thinking and/or development. This will enable them to build their understanding of what factors are supporting them in their learning. For example, often when we give feedback to students, we may simply say, “Well done” or “Good answer.” However, are the students actually aware of what they did well or what was good about their answer? Make sure you make explicit what the student has done well and where that links to prior learning. How do you value students’ critical thinking—do you praise their thinking and demonstrate how it helps them improve their learning? Learning conversations to encourage deeper thinking We often feel as teachers that we have to provide feedback to every students’ response, but this can limit children’s thinking. Encourage students in your class to engage in learning conversations with each other. Give as many opportunities as possible to students to build on the responses of others. Facilitate chains of dialogue by inviting students to give feedback to each other. The teacher’s role is, therefore, to facilitate this dialogue and select each individual student to give feedback to others. It may also mean that you do not always need to respond at all to a student’s answer. Teacher modelling own thinking We cannot expect students to develop critical-thinking skills if we aren’t modeling those thinking skills for them. Share your creativity, imagination, and thinking skills with the students and you will nurture creative, imaginative critical thinkers. Model the language you want students to learn and think about. Share what you feel about the learning activities your students are participating in as well as the thinking you are engaging in. Your own thinking and learning will add to the discussions in the classroom and encourage students to share their own thinking. Metacognitive questioning Consider the extent to which your questioning encourages students to think about their thinking, and therefore, learn about learning! Through asking metacognitive questions, you will enable your students to have a better understanding of the learning process, as well as their own self-reflections as learners. Example questions may include:
 ‘Adventures of Discovery’Elena Quagliarello is the senior editor of education for Scholastic News , a current events magazine for students in grades 3–6. She graduated from Rutgers University, where she studied English and earned her master’s degree in elementary education. She is a certified K–12 teacher and previously taught middle school English/language arts for five years: Critical thinking blasts through the surface level of a topic. It reaches beyond the who and the what and launches students on a learning journey that ultimately unlocks a deeper level of understanding. Teaching students how to think critically helps them turn information into knowledge and knowledge into wisdom. In the classroom, critical thinking teaches students how to ask and answer the questions needed to read the world. Whether it’s a story, news article, photo, video, advertisement, or another form of media, students can use the following critical-thinking strategies to dig beyond the surface and uncover a wealth of knowledge. A Layered Learning Approach Begin by having students read a story, article, or analyze a piece of media. Then have them excavate and explore its various layers of meaning. First, ask students to think about the literal meaning of what they just read. For example, if students read an article about the desegregation of public schools during the 1950s, they should be able to answer questions such as: Who was involved? What happened? Where did it happen? Which details are important? This is the first layer of critical thinking: reading comprehension. Do students understand the passage at its most basic level? Ask the Tough Questions The next layer delves deeper and starts to uncover the author’s purpose and craft. Teach students to ask the tough questions: What information is included? What or who is left out? How does word choice influence the reader? What perspective is represented? What values or people are marginalized? These questions force students to critically analyze the choices behind the final product. In today’s age of fast-paced, easily accessible information, it is essential to teach students how to critically examine the information they consume. The goal is to equip students with the mindset to ask these questions on their own. Strike Gold The deepest layer of critical thinking comes from having students take a step back to think about the big picture. This level of thinking is no longer focused on the text itself but rather its real-world implications. Students explore questions such as: Why does this matter? What lesson have I learned? How can this lesson be applied to other situations? Students truly engage in critical thinking when they are able to reflect on their thinking and apply their knowledge to a new situation. This step has the power to transform knowledge into wisdom. Adventures of Discovery There are vast ways to spark critical thinking in the classroom. Here are a few other ideas:
Critical thinking has the power to launch students on unforgettable learning experiences while helping them develop new habits of thought, reflection, and inquiry. Developing these skills prepares students to examine issues of power and promote transformative change in the world around them.  ‘Quote Analysis’Dr. Donna Wilson is a psychologist and the author of 20 books, including Developing Growth Mindsets , Teaching Students to Drive Their Brains , and Five Big Ideas for Effective Teaching (2 nd Edition). She is an international speaker who has worked in Asia, the Middle East, Australia, Europe, Jamaica, and throughout the U.S. and Canada. Dr. Wilson can be reached at [email protected] ; visit her website at www.brainsmart.org . Diane Dahl has been a teacher for 13 years, having taught grades 2-4 throughout her career. Mrs. Dahl currently teaches 3rd and 4th grade GT-ELAR/SS in Lovejoy ISD in Fairview, Texas. Follow her on Twitter at @DahlD, and visit her website at www.fortheloveofteaching.net : A growing body of research over the past several decades indicates that teaching students how to be better thinkers is a great way to support them to be more successful at school and beyond. In the book, Teaching Students to Drive Their Brains , Dr. Wilson shares research and many motivational strategies, activities, and lesson ideas that assist students to think at higher levels. Five key strategies from the book are as follows:
Below are two lessons that support critical thinking, which can be defined as the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgment. Mrs. Dahl prepares her 3rd and 4th grade classes for a year of critical thinking using quote analysis . During Native American studies, her 4 th grade analyzes a Tuscarora quote: “Man has responsibility, not power.” Since students already know how the Native Americans’ land had been stolen, it doesn’t take much for them to make the logical leaps. Critical-thought prompts take their thinking even deeper, especially at the beginning of the year when many need scaffolding. Some prompts include:
Analyzing a topic from occupational points of view is an incredibly powerful critical-thinking tool. After learning about the Mexican-American War, Mrs. Dahl’s students worked in groups to choose an occupation with which to analyze the war. The chosen occupations were: anthropologist, mathematician, historian, archaeologist, cartographer, and economist. Then each individual within each group chose a different critical-thinking skill to focus on. Finally, they worked together to decide how their occupation would view the war using each skill. For example, here is what each student in the economist group wrote:
This was the first time that students had ever used the occupations technique. Mrs. Dahl was astonished at how many times the kids used these critical skills in other areas moving forward.  Thanks to Dr. Auwal, Elena, Dr. Wilson, and Diane for their contributions! Please feel free to leave a comment with your reactions to the topic or directly to anything that has been said in this post. Consider contributing a question to be answered in a future post. You can send one to me at [email protected] . When you send it in, let me know if I can use your real name if it’s selected or if you’d prefer remaining anonymous and have a pseudonym in mind. You can also contact me on Twitter at @Larryferlazzo . Education Week has published a collection of posts from this blog, along with new material, in an e-book form. It’s titled Classroom Management Q&As: Expert Strategies for Teaching . Just a reminder; you can subscribe and receive updates from this blog via email (The RSS feed for this blog, and for all Ed Week articles, has been changed by the new redesign—new ones won’t be available until February). And if you missed any of the highlights from the first nine years of this blog, you can see a categorized list below.
I am also creating a Twitter list including all contributors to this column . The opinions expressed in Classroom Q&A With Larry Ferlazzo are strictly those of the author(s) and do not reflect the opinions or endorsement of Editorial Projects in Education, or any of its publications. Sign Up for EdWeek UpdateEdweek top school jobs.  Sign Up & Sign In 15 Questions that Teachers and Parents Can Ask Kids to Encourage Critical ThinkingBy Maureen Leming Each student walks across the graduation stage, diploma in one hand and a proverbial toolbox in the other. Inside the box is every skill and piece of knowledge they've learned throughout their childhood. The contents of this toolbox will be their building blocks to success beyond high school. In addition to impressive classroom discoveries — like producing electricity from potatoes or building their own paper mache volcano — there's a vital skill every student should possess: critical thinking. They'll use this skill to assess, critique, and create, propelling them to thrive in the real world as they participate in engaging conversations and offer constructive solutions to real-world issues. Fortunately, this valuable skill can be developed both inside and out of the classroom. Teachers and parents can encourage kids to think deeply and critically about the world by asking good questions. We'll explore why, as parents and teachers, the questions we ask our kids matter — and what we can be asking to help them excel. How Questions Guide Young Students’ Critical ThinkingCritical thinking is about so much more than simply knowing the facts. Thinking critically involves applying reason and logic to assess arguments and come to your own conclusions. Instead of reciting facts or giving a textbook answer, critical thinking skills encourage students to move beyond knowing information and get to the heart of what they really think and believe. 15 Questions to Encourage Critical ThinkingWhat is one of the best ways to encourage critical thinking? By asking excellent questions! We have compiled a list of 15 questions that you, as a teacher or parent, can ask to encourage kids to think outside the box. Let's dive in. 1. How Do You Know This?Whether it was by word of mouth, classroom knowledge, or a news report, this question prompts students to consider whether their source of information is reputable. 2. How Would Your Perspective Be Different If You Were on the Opposing Side?This question encourages kids to role-play from an opposing person’s viewpoint and discover a perspective outside their own so that they can better understand the broader situation. Extracurriculars like debate class — mandatory for all Hun middle school students — is a powerful way to accomplish this goal, as students must thoughtfully anticipate their opposition's arguments in order to counter them. 3. How Would You Solve This Problem?Finding creative solutions to common problems is a valuable life skill. This question is the perfect opportunity to encourage young minds to wander! 4. Do You Agree or Disagree — and Why?Choosing a side in any debate challenges students to consider both perspectives, weigh the arguments, and make an informed choice. 5. Why? Why? Why?Just like when you were a young kid, ask why repeatedly to push students beyond a simple first, second, or even third answer, to get to the real depth. Be careful, though, not to ask them to the point of frustration — you want learning and exploring to be a positive experience. 6. How Could We Avoid This Problem in the Future?Ask students to apply critical thinking by analyzing how they could prevent a certain issue from reoccurring. 7. Why Does It Matter?Whether they're learning about a historical event or a mathematical concept, it's important to understand why the topic is relevant today. 8. What's Another Way to Look at This Issue?It can be easy to learn one worldview and automatically believe it is the only, or the best, way. Challenging kids to think of a creative alternate perspective encourages them to think more broadly. 9. Can You Give Me an Example?Inventing an example, or pulling from experience to share a real one, is an excellent way to apply critical thinking skills. 10. How Could It Have Ended Differently?It takes some innovation and careful analysis to storyboard a different ending, considering "what could have been" rather than "what is." 11. When Will We Be Able to Tell If It Worked?Kids will be pushed to consider what constitutes success and how it can be measured in scenarios where the results aren't set in stone. 12. Why did you ask that question?Instead of answering a question at face value, this question encourages kids to think about what the merits of the question may be. 13. Who Would Be Affected by This?Students as the next generation of leaders and game-changers. When making any decision, it's important to consider who will be impacted and how. 14. What Can This Story Teach Us About Our Own Lives?From literature to social studies, students interact with all kinds of different stories. Help them take these narratives one step further by examining how it relates to their lives. 15. Why Is This a Problem?Analyzing why something is a problem — rather than just accepting that it is — will help students develop strong problem-solving skills of their own. The Hun School of Princeton Teaches Critical ThinkingAt the Hun School of Princeton, our teachers ask these questions, and more, in combination with our student-centered learning approach that helps kids of all ages think critically about what they’re learning. As a premier private school in Princeton, NJ , we aim to help students think deeply and develop well-rounded skill sets through immersive, problem-based learning . Schedule a tour today to see our program in action! Schedule a Tour No products in the cart.  Critical thinking for teachers and students What Do We Mean by the Term ‘Critical Thinking?’Firstly, there is no single, commonly agreed definition of the term ‘critical thinking’. However, most commonly as teachers, we use it to refer to what are known as the higher-order thinking skills. These higher-order thinking skills are skills that require us to think in a deeper, more complex manner. If you are familiar with Bloom’s taxonomy, think of the upper levels of the hierarchy – analyze, evaluate, create. We could also add infer to this list of critical thinking skills. Put simply, critical thinking requires the student to engage in an objective analysis of a topic and evaluate the available information in order to form a judgment. Critical thinking demands a systematic approach to evaluating new information. It encourages us to question and reflect on our own knowledge and how we arrive at the opinions we have and make the decisions we make.  THERE ARE NO FORMAL CRITICAL THINKING STANDARDS, BUT THESE ATTRIBUTES OUTLINED BY MONASH UNIVERSITY CAPTURE THE ESSENCE OF WHAT STUDENTS AND TEACHERS SHOULD ASPIRE TO IN THE CLASSROOM. Why Is Critical Thinking Important? Our students need to be able to think critically to make rational decisions on what to believe or what course of action to take. An inability to think critically can leave students vulnerable to muddied thinking and the possibility of believing in unsound ideas. Critical thinking helps students to filter the wheat from the chaff, intellectually speaking. Developing strong critical thinking skills helps students to eliminate dubious data to leave only the strongest, most reliable information. At its core, critical thinking is about having good reasons for our beliefs. It helps us to navigate through bias (our own and that of others) to avoid manipulation or becoming enslaved by our feelings. These are essential skills in an age of overwhelming information. Helping our students to develop their critical thinking skills not only inoculates them against embracing flawed ideas, but these skills are also some of the most in-demand by employers and this looks set to continue to be so well into the future. This is due to the ever-increasing pace of technological change. It is impossible to accurately predict the specific requirements of many future jobs. One thing is for sure though, so-called soft skills such as critical thinking will ensure students will be able to adapt to whatever shapes the workplace of the future will take. Teaching Critical ThinkingThere are any number of ways to introduce critical thinking into the classroom, either as discrete activities or interwoven into lessons with other stated objectives. However, it is helpful to students to take the time to teach a variety of strategies to help them think critically about the ideas they encounter which will help them form their own opinions. An opinion based on critical thinking does not rely on gut feeling, but rather on rational reasoning which often requires some form of initial research. Let’s start by taking a look at some ways you can encourage critical thinking in your classroom, especially in the research process. THIS IS AN EXCELLENT GUIDE TO TEACHING CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS A complete guide to teaching Critical ThinkingThis 180 page e-book is an excellent resource for teachers looking to implement critical thinking in the classroom. It is packed full of great content whether you are just starting out, or looking to go further. It makes relevant connections to technology, STEM, and critical and creative thinking. Teaching Strategies: A Step-by-Step Approach to Critical ThinkingThe following process is a useful template for teaching students. When embarking on their research, this template provides a step-by-step process that they can use to structure their investigations. 1. Format the Question In the age of the Internet, access to information is no longer the major hurdle facing the inquisitive student investigator. If anything, the real problem now is knowing how to appropriately sift through the almost inexhaustible amount of information out there. The key to this filtration process is the formulation of the research question. How the question is composed and formatted will inform exactly what information the student is looking for and what information can be discarded. The type of question formatted here will depend on the purpose of the research. For example, is the question intended to establish knowledge? Then, it may well be a straightforward What type question, for example, What are the consequences of a diet high in processed sugars? If the question is geared more towards the use of that information or knowledge, then the question may be more of a Why type question, for example, Why do some commentators claim that a diet high in processed sugars is the greatest threat facing public health? One extremely useful tool to assist in formatting questions that make demands on student critical thinking abilities is to employ Bloom’s taxonomy. 2. Gather the Information Once the question has been clearly defined, then the process of gathering the information begins. Students should frequently refer back to their research questions to ensure they are maintaining their focus. As they gather information concerning their question, reference to their initial question will help them to determine the relevance of the information in front of them. They can then weigh up whether or not the information helps move them further toward answering their initial research question. 3. Apply the Information The ability to think critically about information is of no use unless the understanding gained can be applied in the real world. The most practical application of this skill is seen when it is used to inform decision-making. When faced with making a decision, encourage students to reflect on the concepts at work in regard to the choice they face. They must look at what assumptions exist and explore whether their interpretation of the issue is a logically sound one. To do this effectively, they will also need to consider the effects of that decision.  4. Consider the Implications “The road to hell is paved with good intentions.” As the old proverb suggests, our well-intended decisions can sometimes lead to unforeseen negative consequences. When considering paths of action, we need to encourage our students to reflect deeply on all possible outcomes of those actions: short, medium, and long-term. Unintended consequences are outcomes that are unforeseen and can often undo much of the good of the original decision. There are many fascinating examples of this phenomenon that are easily found online and can be interesting to share with the students. One such example was uncovered by the economist Sam Peltzman. He found that when mandatory seat-belt legislation was passed in some of the US states the number of fatalities of drivers did go down as a result. However, he also found that this was offset by an increase in fatalities among pedestrians and cyclists as drivers felt safer wearing seat belts and many drove faster as a result. 5. Explore Other Points of View This is the final testing ground of an opinion that has been forged in the fires of critical thinking. Though students will have been exposed to competing ideas earlier in the research stage, they should now take the time to measure their matured opinions against these other points of view. Exploring alternative viewpoints helps us to evaluate our own choices and avoid stagnating in our own biases and innate preferences. Doing this helps us to make the most informed decisions possible. Now that we’ve had a look at a step-by-step approach to critical thinking, let’s take a look at some creative ways to help students exercise those critical thinking muscles in the classroom. Getting critical doesn’t have to be boring! Critical Thinking Games and ActivitiesThe Barometer: Find Out Where You Stand When considering where we stand on issues, it’s important to realise that things don’t always have to be a zero-sum game. Things don’t have to be all or nothing. Students need to learn that opinions can be nuanced and that often there exists a spectrum of opinions on any given issue. In this activity, give the students a controversial issue to consider. Assign the extremes on the issue to opposite ends of the classroom and instruct students to arrange themselves along a continuum based on how strongly they feel about the issue. They’ll likely need to engage in some free-flowing conversation to figure this out and setting a time limit will help ensure this discussion doesn’t go on endlessly. Draw an Analogy: Making Lateral Links This game encourages students to think creatively and indirectly about an idea or a subject and it can be used in practically any context. It encourages students to make comparisons between seemingly unconnected things by analyzing both for any underlying concepts that may link them together somehow – no matter how tenuously! Start by asking your students a creative question based on the topic or idea you are exploring together in the classroom. The format of these questions should closely follow a similar pattern to the following examples: ● How is raising a child like building a house? ● Why is an egg like a hunk of marble? ● How is a bookshelf like a lunchbox? The more inventive the elements in each question are, the more challenging it will be for the students to make links between the two of them. This game can generate some interesting responses and is easy to differentiate for students of all ages. Younger students may enjoy a simpler question format such as ‘ Smell is to nose as sight is to… ’ where the links between the elements are much more obvious. For older students, remember too that when devising the questions the links between the different elements do not have to be obvious. Indeed, as far as you’re concerned they do not even have to exist. That’s for the students to explore and create. Build Critical Thinking Skills with Brain Teasers Brain teasers are great fun and an enjoyable way to fill a few minutes of class time, but they also provide great exercise for students’ critical thinking abilities. Though they are often based on unlikely premises, the skills acquired in solving them can have real-world applications. Let’s take an example to see how this works. Ask your students the following teaser – you might want to set a time limit and have them write their answers down to put some added pressure on: A rooster sits on a barn and is facing west. The wind is blowing eastward at a speed of 15 kilometers per hour. The rooster lays an egg. Which cardinal direction does the egg roll? The answer is, of course, that there is no egg. Roosters are male and therefore can’t lay eggs. One of the reasons why so many will get this simple teaser wrong is that despite knowing that a rooster is a male chicken, they overlook it due to the casualness with which it’s thrown into the teaser. The other reason is the misdirection caused by the quite meticulous detail provided. Students are likely to pay too much attention to the details such as the speed of the wind, its direction, and the direction of the rooster is facing. All these irrelevant details distract the students from the fact that the only information required to solve this teaser is provided by the 2nd word of the riddle. There are numerous brain teasers freely available on the Internet. Weaving them into your lessons gives students opportunities to sharpen their critical thinking skills by sorting relevant from irrelevant details and encouraging students to analyze closely the relevant details provided. Build the Habit and Become a Critical Thinker In this article, we have taken a look at some concrete ways to practice critical thinking skills in the classroom. However, becoming a critical thinker is much more about developing consistent critical thinking habits in our approach to ideas and opinions. To help your students develop these habits, be sure to encourage intellectual curiosity in the classroom. Ask students to examine their own assumptions and evaluate these in light of opposing opinions and available evidence. Create opportunities in your lessons to explore advertisements and even political statements together. Fight the urge to impart your own beliefs and biases in favor of allowing students to determine the credibility of the sources themselves. Encourage them to draw their own conclusions. Consistently insist that your students provide evidence to support their conclusions when they express opinions in classroom discussions. In time, the habit of critical thinking will inform how your students approach any new information that they come across. This will leave them better able to think clearly and systematically and better able to express themselves coherently too. Create opportunities in your lessons to explore advertisements and even political statements together. Fight the urge to impart your own beliefs and biases in favor of allowing students to determine the credibility of the sources themselves. Encourage them to draw their conclusions. Fostering Future Thinkers: 10 Dynamic Strategies for Cultivating Critical Thinking in the Classroom
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How To Encourage Critical Thinking in MathBy Mary Montero Share This Post:
 Critical thinking is more than just a buzzword… It’s an essential skill that helps students develop problem-solving abilities and make logical connections between different concepts. By encouraging critical thinking in math, students learn to approach problems more thoughtfully, they learn to analyze and evaluate math concepts, identify patterns and relationships, and explore different strategies for finding the solution. Critical thinking also involves a great deal of persistence. Those are critical life skills! When you think about it, students are typically asked to solve math problems and find the answer. Showing their work is frequently stressed too, which is important, but not the end. Instead, students need to be able to look at math in different ways in order to truly grasp a complete understanding of math concepts. Mathematics requires logical reasoning, problem-solving, and abstract thinking.  What Does Critical Thinking in Math Look Like?When I think about critical thinking in math, I focus on:
Mathematician PostersThese FREE Marvelous Mathematician posters have been a staple in my classroom for the last 8+ years! I first started using a version from MissMathDork and adapted them for my classroom over the years.  I print, laminate, and add magnetic stickers on the back. At the beginning of the year, I only put one or two up at a time depending on our area of focus. Now, they are all hanging on my board, and I’ll pull out different ones depending on our area of focus. They are so empowering to my mathematicians and help them stay on track! A Marvelous Mathematician:
Critical Thinking Math ActivitiesHere are a few of my favorite critical thinking activities. Square Of NumbersI love to incorporate challenge problems (use Nrich and Openmiddle to get started) because they teach my students so much more than how to solve a math problem. They learn important lessons in teamwork, persistence, resiliency, and growth mindset. We talk about strategies for tackling difficult problems and the importance of not giving up when things get hard. This square of numbers challenge was a hit! ALL kids need to feel and learn to embrace challenge. Oftentimes, kids I see have rarely faced an academic challenge. Things have just come easy to them, so when it doesn’t, they can lack strategies that will help them. In fact, they will often give up before they even get started. I tell them it’s my job to make sure I’m helping them stretch and grow their brain by giving them challenges. They don’t love it at first, but they eventually do! This domino challenge was another one from Nrich . I’m always on the hunt for problems like this!! How would you guide students toward an answer??  Fifteen CardsThis is a well-loved math puzzle with my students, and it’s amazing for encouraging students to consider all options when solving a math problem.  We have number cards 1-15 (one of each number) and only seven are laid out. With the given clues, students need to figure out which seven cards should be put out and in what order. My students love these, and after they’ve done a few, they enjoy creating their own, too! Use products, differences, and quotients to increase the challenge. This is also adapted from Nrich, which is an AMAZING resource for math enrichment! This is one of my favorite fraction lessons that I’ve done for years! Huge shout out to Meg from The Teacher Studio for this one. I give each child a slip of paper with this figure and they have to silently write their answer and justification. Then I tally up the answers and have students take a side and DEBATE with their reasoning! It’s an AMAZING conversation, and I highly recommend trying it with your students. Sometimes we leave it hanging overnight and work on visual models to make some proofs.  Logic PuzzlesLogic puzzles are always a hit too! You can enrich and extend your math lessons with these ‘Math Mystery’ logic puzzles that are the perfect challenge for 4th, 5th, and 6th grades. The puzzles are skills-based, so they integrate well with almost ANY math lesson. You can use them to supplement instruction or challenge your fast-finishers and gifted students… all while encouraging critical thinking about important math skills!  Three levels are included, so they’re perfect to use for differentiation.
Do you have a group of students who are ready for more of a fraction challenge? My well-loved fraction puzzlers are absolutely perfect for fraction enrichment. They’ll motivate your students to excel at even the most challenging tasks!  Math ProjectsMath projects are another way to differentiation while building critical thinking skills. Math projects hold so much learning power with their real-world connections, differentiation options, collaborative learning opportunities, and numerous avenues for cross curricular learning too. If you’re new to math projects, I shared my best tips and tricks for using math projects in this blog post . They’re perfect for cumulative review, seasonal practice, centers, early finisher work, and more.  I use both concept-based math projects to focus on specific standards and seasonal math projects that integrate several skills.  Error AnalysisFinally, error analysis is always a challenging way to encourage critical thinking. When we use error analysis, we encourage students to analyze their own mistakes to prevent making the same mistakes in the future. For my gifted students, I use error analysis tasks as an assessment when they have shown mastery of a unit during other tasks. For students in the regular classroom needing enrichment, I usually have them complete the tasks in a center or with a partner. For students needing extra support, we complete error analysis in small groups. We go step-by-step through the concept and they are always able to eventually identify what the error is. It is so empowering to students when they finally figure out the error AND it helps prevent them from making the same error in the future! My FREE addition error analysis is a good place to start, no matter the grade level. I show them the process of walking through the problem and how best to complete an error analysis task. When you’re ready for more, this bundle of error analysis tasks contains more than 240 tasks to engage and enrich your students in critical thinking practice.  If you want to dig even deeper, visit this conceptual vs computational error analysis post to learn more about using error analysis in the classroom.  Related Critical Thinking Posts
Critical thinking is essential for students to develop a deeper understanding of math concepts, problem-solving skills, and a stronger ability to reason logically. When you learn how to encourage critical thinking in math, you’re setting your students up for success not only in more advanced math subjects they’ll encounter, but also in life. How do you integrate critical thinking in your classroom? Come share your ideas with us in our FREE Inspired In Upper Elementary Facebook group .  Mary MonteroI’m so glad you are here. I’m a current gifted and talented teacher in a small town in Colorado, and I’ve been in education since 2009. My passion (other than my family and cookies) is for making teachers’ lives easier and classrooms more engaging. You might also like… Leave a Reply Cancel replyYour email address will not be published. Required fields are marked * One CommentMary Thankyou for your inspirational activities. I have just read and loved the morning talk activities. I do have meetings with my students but usually at end of day. What time do you  ©2023 Teaching With a Mountain View . All Rights Reserved | Designed by Ashley Hughes Username or Email Address Remember Me Lost your password? Review CartNo products in the cart.
Popular Searches: DAP ; Coping with COVID-19 ; E-books ; Anti-Bias Education ; Online Store Conversations with Children! Asking Questions That Stretch Children’s Thinking You are hereWhen we ask children questions—especially big, open-ended questions—we support their language development and critical thinking. We can encourage them to tell us about themselves and talk about the materials they are using, their ideas, and their reflections. This is the fifth and final article in this TYC series about asking questions that support rich conversations. During the past year, Conversations with Children! has documented and analyzed the many different types of questions teachers ask and the rich discussions with children that flowed from those questions. The series has explored children’s interests, considered their developmental needs, respected their cultural perspectives, and highlighted their language development and thinking. Using an adaptation of Bloom’s Taxonomy to think about the types of questions teachers ask children, this article focuses on intentionally using questions that challenge children to analyze, evaluate, and create. This can increase the back-and-forth dialogues teachers have with children—stretching children’s thinking! For this article, I spent the morning in a classroom of 3- and 4-year-olds, located in a large, urban elementary school in Passaic, New Jersey. All 15 children spoke both Spanish and English (with varying levels of English proficiency), as did their teacher and assistant teacher. The teachers in this classroom stretch their conversations with children, having extended exchanges in both languages by listening to and building on children’s answers. Understanding Different Types of Questions Bloom’s Taxonomy has long been used as a way to think about the types of questions we ask students. We have adapted it for young children. Although Remember has mostly right or wrong one-word answers and Create invites use of the imagination and answers that are complex and unique to each child, these levels are just guides. It is up to you to consider which types of questions are appropriate for each child you work with. The lower levels form the foundation for the higher ones. identify, name, count, repeat, recall describe, discuss, explain, summarize explain why, dramatize, identify with/relate to recognize change, experiment, infer, compare, contrast express opinion, judge, defend/criticize make, construct, design, author A conversation about building with cups in the makerspaceA conversation between the teacher and two children began during planning time and continued as the children built in the makerspace. During planning timeTeacher : I am excited to see how you will build with the cups. Do you have any idea how you will build with them? ( Analyze ) Child 1 : I will show you what I can do. ( He draws his plan on a piece of paper .) Child 2 : I want to work with the cups too. Teacher : Maybe you can collaborate and share ideas. Child 2 : Yeah, we can work together.  Child 1 : We can build a tower. Teacher : I wonder how tall it will be. I am very curious. I wonder, what will you do with the cups? ( Create ) I can’t wait to see! Later, as the first child is buildingTeacher : Can you describe what you did? ( Understand ) Child : I put these two and put these one at a time and then these two. Teacher : How did you stack these differently? ( Analyze ) (The child doesn’t respond.) Teacher : I noticed you stacked this one and this one in a diff erent way. How did you stack them differently? ( Analyze ) Child : (He becomes excited, pointing.) I show you! Teacher : Please demonstrate! Child : I knew what my idea was. (He shows the teacher how he stacked the cups.) Teacher : Can you describe what parts of the cups were touching? ( Understand ) Child : The white part. Teacher: Oh, that is called the rim of the cup. How did you stack this one? ( Apply ) Child : I was trying and trying and trying! Teacher : So you are stacking the rims together. And how is this stack different? ( Analyze ) Child : This one is the right way and this one is down. Teacher : Oh, this one is right side up and this one is upside down! A conversation about creating a zoo in the block areaThe children were preparing for a visit to a local zoo. After listening to the teacher read several books about zoos, one child worked on building structures in the block area to house giraff es and elephants. Teacher : I am excited to see how you are building the enclosures. Child : It fell down and I’m making it different. Teacher : So it fell down and now you’re thinking about building it a different way. Architects do that; they talk about the stability of the structure. How can you make it sturdier so it doesn’t fall? ( Evaluate )  Child : I’m trying to make a watering place for the elephant to drink water. I have to make it strong so he can drink and the water doesn’t go out. Teacher : Maybe you can be the architect and draw the plans and your friend can be the engineer and build it. How do you feel about that? ( Evaluate ) Child : I’m gonna ask him. A conversation about coding with robotsThe children had been using the Ozobot Bit, a small robot that introduces children to coding, for many months. Because these robots are programmed to follow lines and respond to specific color patterns (e.g., coloring small segments of the line blue, red, and green will make the robot turn right), preschoolers engage in a basic form of coding just by drawing lines. In this conversation, the teacher helps a child develop his own code. Teacher : So tell me: what do we have to do first? ( Understand ) Child : (He draws as he speaks.) You have to keep going.  Teacher : Why do we have to do it that way first? ( Apply ) Child : Because have to draw it ’fore it can go. And you don’t draw it, it don’t go nowhere. Wanna see? Teacher : So if it’s not on the line, it won’t go anywhere. It only goes on the line. Child : Yeah. Teacher : Okay. So are there any rules you have to follow? What rules do I need to know? ( Apply , Analyze , Evaluate ) Child : You can’t stop it with your hand. . . . And if you want to make another one, first you have to turn it off and then you make another one. (He demonstrates with four markers how to code on the paper and then puts the robot on the line.) Now it going backwards. Teacher : So how could you fix it so it continues? ( Analyze , Evaluate , Create ) Child : (He makes the black line on the paper thicker and retries the Ozobot, but it still stops and turns around.) Teacher : How can you fix it? Try something else to solve the problem. What should we try next? ( Analyze , Evaluate , Create ) Child : I gonna do the whole thing again. (The child starts drawing the code.) A conversation to stretch dramatic play A child held a baby doll and a girl doll as the teacher entered the dramatic play area. Teacher : Tell me about the baby. ( Apply ) Child : This girl has a baby. We going to the doctor because we all sick. Teacher : How do you think the doctor will help you get better? ( Evaluate ) Child : The doctor has to check my heart and then he gonna check my mouth. Teacher : So what can you do to help your friends get better after the doctor checks your mouth and heart? How will you take care of them and yourself? ( Apply , Analyze , Evaluate ) Child : They go to bed back home and go to sleep. Teacher : And what will you do? Tell me more about that. ( Apply , Analyze , Evaluate ) Child : I’m going read them a book. Teacher : Oh, that is such a good idea! Do you have a special book in mind? ( Understand , Apply ) Child : (She nods her head in affirmation and smiles broadly.) I have a special book. (She holds up My House: A Book in Two Languages/Mi Casa: Un Libro en Dos Lenguas , by Rebecca Emberley.) Teacher : Will you read the book to me? I’ll pretend that I am sick and I am in the bed and you can read the book to me. (The child gives the teacher a small blanket.) You are giving me my blankie. You read and I’ll listen. ( Apply , Create ) (The child invents her own story as she turns the pages.) As the teacher, it’s up to you, the one who knows your students best in an educational setting, to decide which questions are appropriate for which children during a particular interaction. It can be challenging to develop and ask questions that engage children in analyzing, evaluating, and creating, such as, “If you could come to school any way you wanted, how would you get here? Why?” But questions that each child will answer in her own way are well worth the effort! Note : Thank you, Megan (teacher), Ms. Perez (assistant teacher), and all of the wonderful students who taught me so much about coding! In addition to being the teacher, Megan King is the author of the chapter “A Makerspace in the Science Area” in the book Big Questions for Young Minds: Extending Children’s Thinking . And a great big final thank-you to the five preschool classrooms that invited me into their worlds, sharing their questions and conversations with TYC readers. Suggestions for Intentionally Stretching Conversations with Young Children
More high-level questions to spark conversationsIn the makerspace:
In the block area:
With robots:
During dramatic play:
 Photographs: Courtesy of the author Janis Strasser, EdD, is a teacher educator and coordinator of the MEd in Curriculum and Learning Early Childhood concentration at William Paterson University in Wayne, New Jersey. She has worked in the field of early childhood for more than 40 years.  Vol. 12, No. 3 Print this article
 4 Strategies for Sparking Critical Thinking in Young StudentsFostering investigative conversation in grades K–2 isn’t easy, but it can be a great vehicle to promote critical thinking. In the middle of class, a kindergartner spotted an ant and asked the teacher, “Why do ants come into the classroom?” Fairly quickly, educational consultant Cecilia Cabrera Martirena writes , students started sharing their theories: Maybe the ants were cold, or looking for food, or lonely. Their teacher started a KWL chart to organize what students already knew, what they wanted to know, and, later, what they had learned. “As many of the learners didn’t read or write yet, the KWL was created with drawings and one or two words,” Cabrera Martirena writes. “Then, as a group, they decided how they could gather information to answer that first question, and some possible research routes were designed.” As early elementary teachers know, young learners are able to engage in critical thinking and participate in nuanced conversations, with appropriate supports. What can teachers do to foster these discussions? Elementary teacher Jennifer Orr considered a few ideas in an article for ASCD . “An interesting question and the discussion that follows can open up paths of critical thinking for students at any age,” Orr says. “With a few thoughtful prompts and a lot of noticing and modeling, we as educators can help young students engage in these types of academic conversations in ways that deepen their learning and develop their critical thinking skills.” While this may not be an “easy process,” Orr writes—for the kids or the teacher—the payoff is students who from a young age are able to communicate new ideas and questions; listen and truly hear the thoughts of others; respectfully agree, disagree, or build off of their peers’ opinions; and revise their thinking. 4 Strategies for Kick-Starting Powerful Conversations1. Encourage Friendly Debate: For many elementary-aged children, it doesn’t take much provoking for them to share their opinions, especially if they disagree with each other. Working with open-ended prompts that “engage their interest and pique their curiosity” is one key to sparking organic engagement, Orr writes. Look for prompts that allow them to take a stance, arguing for or against something they feel strongly about. For example, Orr says, you could try telling first graders that a square is a rectangle to start a debate. Early childhood educator Sarah Griffin proposes some great math talk questions that can yield similar results:
Using pictures can inspire interesting math discussions as well, writes K–6 math coach Kristen Acosta . Explore counting, addition, and subtraction by introducing kids to pictures “that have missing pieces or spaces” or “pictures where the objects are scattered.” For example, try showing students a photo of a carton of eggs with a few eggs missing. Ask questions like, “what do you notice?” and “what do you wonder?” and see how opinions differ. 2. Put Your Students in the Question: Centering students’ viewpoints in a question or discussion prompt can foster deeper thinking, Orr writes. During a unit in which kids learned about ladybugs, she asked her third graders, “What are four living and four nonliving things you would need and want if you were designing your own ecosystem?” This not only required students to analyze the components of an ecosystem but also made the lesson personal by inviting them to dream one up from scratch. Educator Todd Finley has a list of interesting writing prompts for different grades that can instead be used to kick off classroom discussions. Examples for early elementary students include:
3. Open Several Doors: While some students take to classroom discussions like a duck to water, others may prefer to stay on dry land. Offering low-stakes opportunities for students to dip a toe into the conversation can be a great way to ensure that everyone in the room can be heard. Try introducing hand signals that indicate agreement, disagreement, and more. Since everyone can indicate their opinion silently, this supports students who are reluctant to speak, and can help get the conversation started. Similarly, elementary school teacher Raquel Linares uses participation cards —a set of different colored index cards, each labeled with a phrase like “I agree,” “I disagree,” or “I don’t know how to respond.” “We use them to assess students’ understanding, but we also use them to give students a voice,” Linares says. “We obviously cannot have 24 scholars speaking at the same time, but we want everyone to feel their ideas matter. Even if I am very shy and I don’t feel comfortable, my voice is still heard.” Once the students have held up the appropriate card, the discussion gets going. 4. Provide Discussion Sentence Starters: Young students often want to add their contribution without connecting it to what their peers have said, writes district-level literacy leader Gwen Blumberg . Keeping an ear out for what students are saying to each other is an important starting point when trying to “lift the level of talk” in your classroom. Are kids “putting thoughts into words and able to keep a conversation going?” she asks. Introducing sentence starters like “I agree…” or “I feel differently…” can help demonstrate for students how they can connect what their classmate is saying to what they would like to say, which grows the conversation, Blumberg says. Phrases like “I’d like to add…” help students “build a bridge from someone else’s idea to their own.” Additionally, “noticing and naming the positive things students are doing, both in their conversation skills and in the thinking they are demonstrating,” Orr writes, can shine a light for the class on what success looks like. Celebrating when students use these sentence stems correctly, for example, helps reinforce these behaviors. “Students’ ability to clearly communicate with others in conversation is a critical literacy skill,” Blumberg writes, and teachers in grades K–2 can get students started on the path to developing this skill by harnessing their natural curiosity and modeling conversation moves. How it works Transform your enterprise with the scalable mindsets, skills, & behavior change that drive performance. Explore how BetterUp connects to your core business systems. We pair AI with the latest in human-centered coaching to drive powerful, lasting learning and behavior change. Build leaders that accelerate team performance and engagement. Unlock performance potential at scale with AI-powered curated growth journeys. Build resilience, well-being and agility to drive performance across your entire enterprise. Transform your business, starting with your sales leaders. Unlock business impact from the top with executive coaching. Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. Accelerate the performance and potential of your agencies and employees. See how innovative organizations use BetterUp to build a thriving workforce. Discover how BetterUp measurably impacts key business outcomes for organizations like yours. Daring Leadership Institute: a groundbreaking partnership that amplifies Brené Brown's empirically based, courage-building curriculum with BetterUp’s human transformation platform. 
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The online magazine that helps you understand tomorrow's workforce trends, today. Innovative research featured in peer-reviewed journals, press, and more. Founded in 2022 to deepen the understanding of the intersection of well-being, purpose, and performance We're on a mission to help everyone live with clarity, purpose, and passion. Join us and create impactful change. Read the buzz about BetterUp. Meet the leadership that's passionate about empowering your workforce.  For Business For Individuals  How to develop critical thinking skills Jump to section What are critical thinking skills?How to develop critical thinking skills: 12 tips, how to practice critical thinking skills at work, become your own best critic. A client requests a tight deadline on an intense project. Your childcare provider calls in sick on a day full of meetings. Payment from a contract gig is a month behind. Your day-to-day will always have challenges, big and small. And no matter the size and urgency, they all ask you to use critical thinking to analyze the situation and arrive at the right solution. Critical thinking includes a wide set of soft skills that encourage continuous learning, resilience , and self-reflection. The more you add to your professional toolbelt, the more equipped you’ll be to tackle whatever challenge presents itself. Here’s how to develop critical thinking, with examples explaining how to use it. Critical thinking skills are the skills you use to analyze information, imagine scenarios holistically, and create rational solutions. It’s a type of emotional intelligence that stimulates effective problem-solving and decision-making . When you fine-tune your critical thinking skills, you seek beyond face-value observations and knee-jerk reactions. Instead, you harvest deeper insights and string together ideas and concepts in logical, sometimes out-of-the-box , ways. Imagine a team working on a marketing strategy for a new set of services. That team might use critical thinking to balance goals and key performance indicators , like new customer acquisition costs, average monthly sales, and net profit margins. They understand the connections between overlapping factors to build a strategy that stays within budget and attracts new sales. Looking for ways to improve critical thinking skills? Start by brushing up on the following soft skills that fall under this umbrella:
There’s no magic method to change your thinking processes. Improvement happens with small, intentional changes to your everyday habits until a more critical approach to thinking is automatic. Here are 12 tips for building stronger self-awareness and learning how to improve critical thinking: 1. Be cautiousThere’s nothing wrong with a little bit of skepticism. One of the core principles of critical thinking is asking questions and dissecting the available information. You might surprise yourself at what you find when you stop to think before taking action. Before making a decision, use evidence, logic, and deductive reasoning to support your own opinions or challenge ideas. It helps you and your team avoid falling prey to bad information or resistance to change . 2. Ask open-ended questions“Yes” or “no” questions invite agreement rather than reflection. Instead, ask open-ended questions that force you to engage in analysis and rumination. Digging deeper can help you identify potential biases, uncover assumptions, and arrive at new hypotheses and possible solutions. 3. Do your researchNo matter your proficiency, you can always learn more. Turning to different points of view and information is a great way to develop a comprehensive understanding of a topic and make informed decisions. You’ll prioritize reliable information rather than fall into emotional or automatic decision-making.  4. Consider several opinionsYou might spend so much time on your work that it’s easy to get stuck in your own perspective, especially if you work independently on a remote team . Make an effort to reach out to colleagues to hear different ideas and thought patterns. Their input might surprise you. If or when you disagree, remember that you and your team share a common goal. Divergent opinions are constructive, so shift the focus to finding solutions rather than defending disagreements. 5. Learn to be quietActive listening is the intentional practice of concentrating on a conversation partner instead of your own thoughts. It’s about paying attention to detail and letting people know you value their opinions, which can open your mind to new perspectives and thought processes. If you’re brainstorming with your team or having a 1:1 with a coworker , listen, ask clarifying questions, and work to understand other peoples’ viewpoints. Listening to your team will help you find fallacies in arguments to improve possible solutions. 6. Schedule reflectionWhether waking up at 5 am or using a procrastination hack, scheduling time to think puts you in a growth mindset . Your mind has natural cognitive biases to help you simplify decision-making, but squashing them is key to thinking critically and finding new solutions besides the ones you might gravitate toward. Creating time and calm space in your day gives you the chance to step back and visualize the biases that impact your decision-making. 7. Cultivate curiosityWith so many demands and job responsibilities, it’s easy to seek solace in routine. But getting out of your comfort zone helps spark critical thinking and find more solutions than you usually might. If curiosity doesn’t come naturally to you, cultivate a thirst for knowledge by reskilling and upskilling . Not only will you add a new skill to your resume , but expanding the limits of your professional knowledge might motivate you to ask more questions. You don’t have to develop critical thinking skills exclusively in the office. Whether on your break or finding a hobby to do after work, playing strategic games or filling out crosswords can prime your brain for problem-solving.  9. Write it downRecording your thoughts with pen and paper can lead to stronger brain activity than typing them out on a keyboard. If you’re stuck and want to think more critically about a problem, writing your ideas can help you process information more deeply. The act of recording ideas on paper can also improve your memory . Ideas are more likely to linger in the background of your mind, leading to deeper thinking that informs your decision-making process. 10. Speak upTake opportunities to share your opinion, even if it intimidates you. Whether at a networking event with new people or a meeting with close colleagues, try to engage with people who challenge or help you develop your ideas. Having conversations that force you to support your position encourages you to refine your argument and think critically. 11. Stay humbleIdeas and concepts aren’t the same as real-life actions. There may be such a thing as negative outcomes, but there’s no such thing as a bad idea. At the brainstorming stage , don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Sometimes the best solutions come from off-the-wall, unorthodox decisions. Sit in your creativity , let ideas flow, and don’t be afraid to share them with your colleagues. Putting yourself in a creative mindset helps you see situations from new perspectives and arrive at innovative conclusions. 12. Embrace discomfortGet comfortable feeling uncomfortable . It isn’t easy when others challenge your ideas, but sometimes, it’s the only way to see new perspectives and think critically. By willingly stepping into unfamiliar territory, you foster the resilience and flexibility you need to become a better thinker. You’ll learn how to pick yourself up from failure and approach problems from fresh angles.  Thinking critically is easier said than done. To help you understand its impact (and how to use it), here are two scenarios that require critical thinking skills and provide teachable moments. Scenario #1: Unexpected delays and budgetImagine your team is working on producing an event. Unexpectedly, a vendor explains they’ll be a week behind on delivering materials. Then another vendor sends a quote that’s more than you can afford. Unless you develop a creative solution, the team will have to push back deadlines and go over budget, potentially costing the client’s trust. Here’s how you could approach the situation with creative thinking:
 Scenario #2: Differing opinionsA conflict arises between two team members on the best approach for a new strategy for a gaming app. One believes that small tweaks to the current content are necessary to maintain user engagement and stay within budget. The other believes a bold revamp is needed to encourage new followers and stronger sales revenue. Here’s how critical thinking could help this conflict:
You can’t think your problems away. But you can equip yourself with skills that help you move through your biggest challenges and find innovative solutions. Learning how to develop critical thinking is the start of honing an adaptable growth mindset. Now that you have resources to increase critical thinking skills in your professional development, you can identify whether you embrace change or routine, are open or resistant to feedback, or turn to research or emotion will build self-awareness. From there, tweak and incorporate techniques to be a critical thinker when life presents you with a problem. Understand Yourself Better: Big 5 Personality Test Elizabeth Perry, ACCElizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach. How divergent thinking can drive your creativityWhat’s convergent thinking how to be a better problem-solver, 8 creative solutions to your most challenging problems, critical thinking is the one skillset you can't afford not to master, 17 memorization techniques to sharpen your memory & recall, can dreams help you solve problems 6 ways to try, how emotions affect learning: the impact of emotions, what is lateral thinking 7 techniques to encourage creative ideas, how different learning styles make a difference at work, betterup named a 2019 “cool vendor” in human capital management: enhancing employee experience by gartnerup your game: a new model for leadership, 7 critical teamwork skills and how to develop them, what is creative thinking and how can i improve, 6 big picture thinking strategies that you'll actually use, what are analytical skills examples and how to level up, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research.. 3100 E 5th Street, Suite 350 Austin, TX 78702
BrainPOP ScienceThe power of cer: strategies to engage middle school students in evidence-based writing. August 26, 2024 by Mar y Sol Esparza  In the world of science, evidence-based writing isn’t just a skill; it’s a superpower! It’s the ability to make a claim, back it up with solid data, and explain the reasoning behind it. And the good news? You have the ability to unlock this superpower in your middle school students, helping them thrive not just in science but in all areas of their lives. Where curiosity meets critical thinkingWhat is cer.
1. Make real-world scenarios resonate:Bonus points: make your guiding questions even more tangible, 2. provide a variety of resources and scaffolds, 3. examples of growth and success, unleash students’ inner science superheroes. The Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) process is a dynamic approach to teaching evidence-based writing that benefits middle schoolers in several key ways:
The CER framework is a simple yet powerful structure for evidence-based writing. It helps students answer scientific questions by presenting a logical and convincing argument about how something works.
Teach your students this process and encourage them to use it in various contexts. It’s a versatile tool they can use in everyday discussions, turning them into confident communicators. Scaffolding the CER process: making it fun and engagingIntroducing the CER framework to middle schoolers is an exciting step toward fostering critical thinking and persuasive writing. However, it’s important to remember that mastering this process takes time and practice. Our brains are like muscles that need to build endurance—adults and middle schoolers alike—so when dealing with developing brains, let’s start small. Here are three strategies to spark curiosity and build confidence: Bring evidence-based writing to life with real-world scenarios! Use relatable and accessible guiding questions. Remember, it’s important to incorporate a student’s real world in “real-world” science. For example, here are a few favorite Guiding Questions from Hannah B. and Charlie G., two members of BrainPOP Science’s learning design team (and former middle school science teachers):
You can also pair your guiding questions with intriguing and relevant phenomena, like:
 Hannah and Charlie’s expert tips: Bring the Guiding Question to life as much as you can. Questions often feel easier to answer if we can hold part of them in our hands.
Anchor Guiding Questions with things that students already know. Support students further with photos of familiar places and things.
“Over time, engaging students with the local relevance of a phenomenon has the power to teach them that science happens where they are, within their communities. Often, this helps students see themselves as scientists.” – Charlie G. To make evidence-based writing less daunting, provide a variety of resources and scaffolds. Here are a few strategies (and tips💡!) 🗒 Observation prompts: Provide a starting point for writing, whether it’s a question or tip for what to look for in the data. Helping students focus their attention on key data creates more opportunities for high-quality evidence. 💡 Sentence-starters can help frame expectations for students. You can offer a variety of these (e.g. “This graph shows that…” “The main idea of this text is…”), and students can choose which one to use. Or, if students need more support, provide one sentence starter per resource type. 🗒 Observation notebook: Collecting observations is the first step, but organizing those thoughts is even more important. An observation notebook allows students to come back to their ideas and make connections between observations and data for stronger evidence. 💡 A variation- observation index cards ! Students should write one observation per card. Then, when it’s time to select evidence, they can sort the cards into groups: ”Strong observations that support my claim,” “Observations I’m not sure about,” and “Observations I’ll leave behind.” Being able to physically separate and sort observations can make the process feel much more manageable. 🗒 Varied data collection: Give students the opportunity to collect data from multiple sources like phenomena, data manipulatives, simulations, readings, videos, and podcasts. This allows them to internalize concepts at a deeper level and gives them more opportunities to collect observations and data for their evidence. 💡 Incorporate a lab meeting . Scientists often present and discuss data in a collaborative space. Offer students the same opportunity to analyze data in small groups before drafting their CER. Small group protocols, like discussion diamonds, are a nice way to structure student collaboration. They also provide you with an artifact documenting what each student said and the consensus the group reached. Understanding the theory and steps behind CER is essential, but witnessing its application can bring CER to life for students. Providing clarity, guidance, and opportunities for self-assessment empowers students to produce high-quality, evidence-based writing.
Three tips what this can look like in your classroom: 💡 Distribute the rubric before students start writing . Having clear expectations can help students feel comfortable and confident as they write. 💡 Use the rubric on a sample CER written by another “student” (i.e., you). You can do this as a whole class, thinking aloud together about what scores to assign the response and why. You can also do this in small groups. Encourage students to draft a few sentences of additional feedback so the writer knows how to improve for next time. 💡 Have students peer review. Anonymize student work first. Then have students use the CER rubric to score other students’ work and leave a comment sharing what they did well and what could be improved. This gives students another chance to put that rubric into practice and internalize the concepts and process. While providing constructive feedback, helps them become better at evaluating their own work. Remember, CER is more than just a writing strategy. By embracing CER, you’re not just teaching evidence-based writing skills—you’re igniting curiosity and empowering students to become confident, critical thinkers. With every CER they craft, your students are honing their scientific superpowers : the ability to analyze, reason, and communicate with the precision of a seasoned scientist. So, let’s unleash their inner superheroes and watch them soar to new heights of academic achievement and personal growth—the sky’s the limit. Mar y Sol Esparza is a product marketing manager at BrainPOP, and a former teacher and curriculum writer. She holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Education and Social Policy from Northwestern University. Filed UnderRelated articles.  How to Plan and Create a Lesson on BrainPOP Science Give Active Learning a Boost with Background Knowledge Building Background Knowledge Can Help Address Your Biggest Classroom Concerns 6 Unique Ways to Capture Student Attention How to Motivate Students to Work in Collaborative TeamsBrainPOP BrainPOP Jr. (K–3) BrainPOP ELL BrainPOP Español BrainPOP Français BrainPOP Educators Plans and Pricing Help Center Contact Us Careers Help with Funding Academic Standards 
Critical Thinking in the Digital Age: Evaluating Online Information Technology empowers individuals to share their thoughts and views with the world. At the same time, this also contributes to the spread of misinformation. To encourage critical thinking in the digital age, here are Tutor Doctor’s tips for evaluating online information. Domains: the old rules need a few adjustmentsIf you were a student in the 90s or 2000s, you may recall being told a “general rule” that certain domain names were safer: specifically .gov, .edu, .org, and .net. Today, this is really only partly true. As a general rule of thumb, .gov and .edu websites are usually trustworthy. The reason for this is because, put simply, not everyone can just go out and buy one of these domain names. They are heavily regulated and require proof that your organization is either a government entity or an accredited school. This factor alone makes .gov and .edu websites more likely to contain trustworthy and accurate information. On the flip side, quite literally anyone can buy a .net or .org domain name. As far as website ownership is concerned, they are essentially “dotcoms.” In summary – while the old rule of thumb about website domains still has some truth to it, we wouldn’t recommend students use this as their only metric for critically evaluating information. Fact check itWhen you’re consuming content online – whether it’s a YouTube video or a blog article like this one – it’s not always apparent that the information being presented is accurate. By relying on a single reference, you may be exposing yourself to the biases (and possibly errors) of that source. The best way to approach this? Fact check it! The best way to verify that information is accurate is to check if it’s been confirmed by multiple sources. We can tell you that students have trouble judging the credibility of online information, but it helps to have top-ranking university studies ( like this one from Stanford ) backing up our claims! Language is a powerful tool – and can easily mislead usIt’s extremely important for students to understand that language is, in itself, an art form. There are countless ways of communicating the same piece of information, and words themselves can even be used to mislead our interpretation and elicit an emotional reaction – all while still being technically accurate. What exactly do we mean by this? Let’s use an example. The following story reportedly originates from an April Fools Day prank organized by a local newspaper in the early 80s. Regardless of its beginnings, the story is often retold by teachers as a perfect example of how easy it is to be misled – especially when the information sounds scientifically convincing. Have you heard of a chemical called dihydrogen monoxide? This compound is colorless and odorless, and accidental inhalation of dihydrogen monoxide can be deadly. To make matters worse, prolonged exposure to DHMO can cause skin damage. Ingestion of DHMO can cause extreme sweating and dangerous levels of electrolyte imbalance in the body. Sounds super scary, right? Well, you have nothing to worry about – dihydrogen monoxide is just water. With two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom, dihydrogen monoxide is simply an unconventional (and slightly more alarming) way of saying H20 . Furthermore, everything stated above is technically true: water is clear and has no odor, and breathing it in your lungs certainly is dangerous. Spending too much time in the pool will cause your skin to prune, and drinking water can make you sweat out excess liquid. Drinking too much H20 can indeed throw off your body’s electrolyte balance – which is precisely why athletes drink Gatorade and alkaline water! The newspaper even took it a step further and warned people that dihydrogen monoxide had already been found in the town’s public utility pipes – as water should be, of course. Fortunately, the newspaper revealed the gag at the end of the article before any panic could ensue – but the story has lived on and continues to fool even college students. The moral of this dihydrogen monoxide parody? We should all try to keep in mind that language is an extremely powerful tool that can be used to sway our views and beliefs. Furthermore, a writer’s choice of words can mislead us into believing something is more truthful and/or relevant than it actually is. Our best advice? Students should always check their facts, and be sure to verify information through multiple sources before accepting it as truth! Want more information? Check out Tips for Students: How to Critically Evaluate Academic Sources.
More Posts Like This Supersize your fun this Halloween while saving some money and the environment too. Take time with your kids to make your own epic Halloween costumes out of recycled boxes. You can pick up a box at your nearest grocery store (just make sure it’s clean).... Everyone really can learn, but not in the same way. Traditionally, intelligence was rated using an IQ test which focused on only one way of thinking. But not everyone’s brains are wired in the same way. As our understanding of the brain improves, scientists... Exams are just about done and the long summer break stretches out before us with just one last hurdle to overcome; report cards. For some, bad grades can put pressure on students and parents alike. Every child can learn, but some need to learn differently... The Importance of Critical Thinking for International Students
 In today’s digital age, international students need to be more careful than ever when choosing which sources of information to trust. The internet is constantly evolving, with increased access to publishing platforms and the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), making critical thinking skills more important than ever. Whether you’re just beginning your study abroad journey or you’re already partway through, exercise extra vigilance as you prepare applications, find accommodations, and complete study assignments. Your future self will thank you for it! Find reputable institutions and programs on the ApplyBoard platform. It’s free to use and can help you narrow down your best options for study abroad. What Is Critical Thinking?It can be easy to follow the advice of others without giving their recommendations a second thought. However, it’s important to use your own logic and reasoning (critical thinking) to make decisions for yourself. Critical thinking is an essential skill set that empowers us to navigate challenges and uncover solutions. Essentially, it’s one’s ability to analyze facts before forming a judgment. When you connect new pieces of information together and understand that solutions can change and improve as new information is discovered, you’re using critical thinking skills. Some more examples of critical thinking include:
Ways to Practice Critical ThinkingApplications . Whether you’re a high school graduate or a mature student supporting a family, it’s essential to be able to make choices that suit your study abroad situation. Some ways to use critical thinking in your study abroad application processes:
Note: Beware of fake student visa or scholarship phone scams targeting international students. Government or immigration authorities will never demand money via phone or text. Learn to spot common scams with resources for Australia , Canada , Ireland , the UK , and the US . Find out how to ace your visa interview in Canada , Ireland , the United Kingdom , and the United States on our blog. Living ArrangementsLooking for housing can be difficult as an international student, especially if you’re searching before you leave your home country. This makes it all the more important to exercise vigilance to avoid being scammed out of your money or into living in unsafe living conditions. These are some critical thinking skills you can use while seeking accommodation as an international student:
Note: Students are encouraged to seek legal advice before signing a contract. You may access these services for free or for discounted options through your institution or student unions. Luckily, critical thinking is a skill you’ll develop during your studies as it’s typically built into programs. However, if you want to take the extra steps to enhance your critical thinking skills independently, these are some great ways to do that:
Tip: One great resource to check a source’s credibility is the Media Bias/Fact Check website . As you work towards studying abroad, we hope this blog helps you enhance your critical thinking skills! Best of luck on your new adventure—you’ve got this! Get ready for the adventure of a lifetime: use the ApplyBoard platform to help you start your study abroad journey. APPLYINSIGHTS DATA BLOGThe most important stories in international education, backed by data, more applyinsights.  ApplyBoard’s 2024 Search Data Shows Students Shifting to In-Demand Fields The Impact of International Students on Destination Economies in 2024 Ghana Poised to Help Drive Increased International Student DiversityCheck out our blogs.  Cost of Living in the United States How to Find a Homestay in the UK Meet the 2024 International Alumni of Impact 101 Frederick St, Kitchener, ON N2H 6R3 © 2024 ApplyBoard Inc Student Learning DevelopmentView the contact page for more contact and location information /prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/student-learning/images/student-learning.jpg "how to encourage critical thinking in students") Reach your potentialStudent Learning Development supports Trinity students reach their academic potential. /prod01/channel_3/media/tcd/student-learning/images/student-learning-2.jpg "how to encourage critical thinking in students") New to College? We offer a range of helpful services!We offer a range of services including individual appointments, workshops and skills events. Welcome to Student Learning DevelopmentThese services are designed to develop your skills in areas such as academic writing, self and time management, exam & assessment skills for PG & UG students. READ MORE ABOUT US  Postgraduate Writing Retreat - Mon 15th July 9.30-15.00Over a dedicated 5.5 hour online session, we will use the pomodoro method along with writing tasks to help you generate writing...  Academic Writing Centre - Run by SLD TCD30 minute online individual sessions where students gain advice with writing strategies, structuring, critical thinking & writing and referencing...  What's at SLD for STEM Students?See the highlights some of the main services tailored to students studying in the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics and also those studying in the Faculty of Health Science.  Shut Up and Write Café for PG StudentsThe Shut Up and Write Café runs all year. Sessions are hosted using Blackboard Collaborate. No video or audio is necessary to join...  Individual SupportIf you need support with any area of Academic/Learning Skills e.g. assessment, self management, procrastination, organisation, study skills, PG theses/viva or any general queries you have...  Academic Skills WebinarsWe run a wide range of FREE workshops for undergraduates and postgraduates. These are based on proven strategies to help students improve their performance in their studies. Further ServicesServices for staff, student counselling, student to student s2s, other college services. A business journal from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania How We Can Harness AI to Fulfill Our PotentialAugust 20, 2024 • 6 min read. Visiting scholar Cornelia Walther explains the four assets you need to protect your personal agency and critical thinking skills as AI becomes a bigger part of our lives.  The following article was written by Dr. Cornelia C. Walther , a visiting scholar at Wharton and director of global alliance POZE . A humanitarian practitioner who spent over 20 years at the United Nations, Walther’s current research focuses on leveraging AI for social good. The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence has brought immense potential to revolutionize our lives, from automating mundane tasks to offering unprecedented insights and predictions. However, as we increasingly integrate AI into our daily routines and decision-making processes, there is a growing risk of delegating too much of our cognitive autonomy. This shift can lead to overreliance on AI, diminishing our ability to think critically, make independent judgments, and maintain a sense of personal agency. Stanford studies have shown that when individuals rely excessively on AI, they tend to experience a reduction in cognitive engagement and decision-making capabilities . AI’s allure lies in processing vast amounts of data and performing complex calculations far beyond human capabilities. Initially, this technology serves as a valuable tool, enhancing our productivity and aiding in various domains. As utilization turns into reliance, we may begin to trust AI systems more than our own judgment, leading to a passive acceptance of AI-driven outcomes. This transition can eventually evolve into dependency, where AI’s influence over our decisions becomes so pervasive that we lose the ability to operate independently. A study published by the MIT Sloan School of Management highlights the dangers of this dependency. Overreliance on AI in decision-making processes can lead to a decrease in critical thinking and problem-solving skills among professionals. Vigilance toward our own mind matters even more now. In addition to the well-known caveats of human thought like bias and prejudice, we are now at risk to slip from AI delegation to AI dependency. The biggest challenge of the 21st century will be our ability to maintain and enhance our agency amid the growing presence of AI. We can address this challenge by adopting four assets: Attitude, Approach, Ability, and Aspiration. 1. Attitude : Cultivating Awareness, Appreciation, Acceptance, and AccountabilityTo counteract the risks associated with AI dependency, we can start by adopting a specific attitude. This involves cultivating awareness of the capabilities and limitations of both AI and humans, appreciating their respective potential, accepting the responsibility to use AI ethically, and holding ourselves accountable for the decisions made with AI assistance. A word on each: Awareness: Understanding the scope and constraints of our own minds — and of AI — helps us set realistic expectations and avoid blind trust in its outputs. Awareness involves mindfulness, staying informed about AI developments, and being critical of the data and algorithms that drive these systems. Appreciation: Recognizing what makes us unique as human beings and how AI might serve us in complementarity makes it possible to harness technological benefits while retaining our critical faculties. Appreciation involves acknowledging AI’s contributions to efficiency and innovation, but not at the expense of our judgment and free will. Acceptance: Embracing the ethical implications of AI usage means accepting our role in ensuring these technologies are used responsibly. This includes being vigilant about the biases of humans and algorithms, and the ethical concerns in AI applications that reflect those. Accountability: Holding ourselves accountable for AI-driven decisions ensures that we remain active participants in the decision-making process. Accountability involves regularly evaluating AI’s impact on our choices and adjusting as necessary. Ultimately, we are responsible for the outcomes that derive from the technology in our lives. (All of these come together in the “A-Frame,” a concept that is explored further in this forthcoming book .) 2. Approach: Aligning Aspirations to Values and ActionsThe second asset involves adopting an approach whereby we align our aspirations with our values and actions. This means ensuring that our use of AI reflects our personal and societal values and that our actions are consistent with these principles. Aligning Aspirations to Values: Our goals in using AI should align with our core values, such as fairness, transparency, and inclusivity. This alignment helps prevent the misuse of AI and ensures that its deployment serves the greater good. Aligning Values to Actions: Translating our values into concrete actions is crucial for maintaining agency. This involves implementing ethical guidelines and practices in AI usage, advocating for responsible AI policies, and participating in discussions about AI’s societal impact. 3. Ability: Developing “Double Literacy,” or Brain Literacy and Algorithmic LiteracyTo preserve our agency amid AI, we must develop “ double literacy ”: a 360-degree understanding of both our own cognitive processes (brain literacy) and the mechanisms behind AI systems (algorithmic literacy) and how they interplay. Brain Literacy: By understanding how our brains work, we can better recognize when AI might be influencing our decisions and take steps to mitigate this influence. Brain literacy involves being aware of cognitive biases and the ways in which AI can exploit these biases. Algorithmic Literacy: Knowing how AI algorithms function allows us to critically assess their outputs and identify potential flaws or biases. Algorithmic literacy involves learning about the data, models, and assumptions that underpin AI systems and using this knowledge to make informed decisions. Both types of literacy must be embedded in a holistic understanding of people and planet, and the kaleidoscope of constant change in which technology is increasingly omnipresent. AI holds the promise to enhance our lives, at work and at home. Whether it fulfills that promise depends on our ability to understand what it is (not) and who we are (not). 4. Aspiration: Embracing the Vision of a Society where Everyone Gets a Chance to Fulfill Their PotentialWe have grown used to a world where only the strongest survive and resources are limited. What if we shifted our focus from scarcity to abundance, and from judgment to curiosity? AI might serve as an ally in exploring unknown parts of our own frame of mind and expanding existing resources, whether it is knowledge or material assets to make all ends meet. Whether we are moving toward an age of abundance or perpetrating the status quo of scarcity depends on our Attitude, Approach, and the Action that we take — but most importantly, it depends on the Aspiration that underpins them, online and offline. It is a slippery slope from experimentation with AI, to regular use of AI, to reliance and full-blown AI addiction. Hence our biggest challenge today is to consciously curate our cognitive autonomy and the power of personal agency that depends on it. By investing in cognitive autonomy, we are positioning ourselves for a journey where we remain the masters of our own decisions. Read more of Walther’s thought leadership about agency amid AI on Forbes and check out her books here . More From Knowledge at Wharton How AI Analytics Spurs Innovation at Newly Public Firms Generative AI Can Have a Negative Impact on LearningSchool is back in session. what role will ai be playing in a student’s education, looking for more insights. 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Students grappled with ideas and their beliefs and employed deep critical-thinking skills to develop arguments for their claims. Embedding critical-thinking skills in curriculum that students care ...
These seven strategies can help students cultivate their critical thinking skills. (These strategies can be modified for all students with the aid of a qualified educator.) 1. Encourage Questioning. One of the fundamental pillars of critical thinking is curiosity. Encourage students to ask questions about the subject matter and challenge ...
Encouraging students to make connections to a real-life situation and identify patterns is a great way to practice their critical thinking skills. The use of real-world scenarios will increase rigor, relevance, and critical thinking. A few other techniques to encourage critical thinking are: Use analogies.
Teach Reasoning Skills. Reasoning skills are another key component of critical thinking, involving the abilities to think logically, evaluate evidence, identify assumptions, and analyze arguments. Students who learn how to use reasoning skills will be better equipped to make informed decisions, form and defend opinions, and solve problems.
You can encourage students to emulate this by using them in demonstrations, asking them to "think out loud" in order for classmates to observe how they reason through a problem. Develop the habit of asking questions that require students to think critically, and tell students that you really expect them to give answers!
6. Start a Debate. In this activity, the teacher can act as a facilitator and spark an interesting conversation in the class on any given topic. Give a small introductory speech on an open-ended topic. The topic can be related to current affairs, technological development or a new discovery in the field of science.
Some readers may be wondering how the Critical Thinking Framework differs from other general skills curricula. The framework differs in that it demands application in the context of students' content knowledge, rather than in isolation. It is a pedagogical tool to help students make sense of the content they are learning.
Critical thinking is a key skill that goes far beyond the four walls of a classroom. It equips students to better understand and interact with the world around them. Here are some reasons why fostering critical thinking is important: Making Informed Decisions: Critical thinking enables students to evaluate the pros and cons of a situation ...
Then try these critical thinking activities and games. Finally, try to incorporate some of these 100+ Critical Thinking Questions for Students into your lessons. They'll help your students develop the skills they need to navigate a world full of conflicting facts and provocative opinions. One of These Things Is Not Like the Other
By promoting critical thinking in the classroom, educators can foster intellectual curiosity, enhance problem-solving abilities, and prepare students for success in an ever-evolving world. This article explores effective strategies and engaging activities to promote critical thinking among students. 1. Ask Thought-Provoking Questions.
Assigning a specific problem is one of the best avenues for teaching critical thinking skills. Leave the goal or "answer" open-ended for the broadest possible approach. This is the essence of asking essential questions requiring the discovery and synthesis of knowledge through critical thinking. Ultimately, with the correct process to guide ...
Boosting Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum. Visible thinking routines that encourage students to document and share their ideas can have a profound effect on their learning. In my coaching work with schools, I am often requested to model strategies that help learners think deeply and critically across multiple disciplines and content areas.
Getting students to dig deeper and answer questions using higher-level thinking can be a challenge. Here are our favorite tips for teaching critical thinking skills, adapted from Mentoring Minds' Critical Thinking Strategies Guide, that help kids solve problems by going beyond the obvious response. 1. Slow down the pace.
Ten Ways to Facilitate Student Critical Thinking in the Classroom and School. Design Critical Thinking Activities. (This might include mind mapping, making thinking visible, Socratic discussions, meta-cognitive mind stretches, Build an inquiry wall with students and talk about the process of thinking". Provide time for students to collaborate.
Critical thinking blasts through the surface level of a topic. It reaches beyond the who and the what and launches students on a learning journey that ultimately unlocks a deeper level of ...
Inspire creativity. Imagination is key to teaching critical thinking in elementary school. Teachers should seek out new ways for students to use information to create something new. Art projects are an excellent way to do this. Students can also construct inventions, write a story or poem, create a game, sing a song—the sky's the limit.
Critical thinking is about so much more than simply knowing the facts. Thinking critically involves applying reason and logic to assess arguments and come to your own conclusions. Instead of reciting facts or giving a textbook answer, critical thinking skills encourage students to move beyond knowing information and get to the heart of what ...
A complete guide to teaching Critical Thinking. This 180 page e-book is an excellent resource for teachers looking to implement critical thinking in the classroom. It is packed full of great content whether you are just starting out, or looking to go further. It makes relevant connections to technology, STEM, and critical and creative thinking.
By encouraging critical thinking in math, students learn to approach problems more thoughtfully, they learn to analyze and evaluate math concepts, identify patterns and relationships, and explore different strategies for finding the solution. Critical thinking also involves a great deal of persistence.
Asking Questions That Stretch Children's Thinking. When we ask children questions—especially big, open-ended questions—we support their language development and critical thinking. We can encourage them to tell us about themselves and talk about the materials they are using, their ideas, and their reflections. This is the fifth and final ...
Here are some teaching strategies that can be implemented to encourage and promote critical thinking among students: 1. "Let's think". It's very easy to always find a solution for a student who needs your help. Avoid that and instead, try responding with "Let's think about how we can do this.". Then, you can assist the student in ...
Fostering investigative conversation in grades K-2 isn't easy, but it can be a great vehicle to promote critical thinking. By Paige Tutt. ... "An interesting question and the discussion that follows can open up paths of critical thinking for students at any age," Orr says. "With a few thoughtful prompts and a lot of noticing and ...
Whether at a networking event with new people or a meeting with close colleagues, try to engage with people who challenge or help you develop your ideas. Having conversations that force you to support your position encourages you to refine your argument and think critically. 11. Stay humble.
Where curiosity meets critical thinking. The Claim-Evidence-Reasoning (CER) process is a dynamic approach to teaching evidence-based writing that benefits middle schoolers in several key ways: ... You can also do this in small groups. Encourage students to draft a few sentences of additional feedback so the writer knows how to improve for next ...
We encourage instructors from various disciplines to use the ICM as a reference and create course-specific materials to enhance their students' critical thinking skills. ... When evaluating students' critical thinking skills through writing assignments, we adhere to established rubric validation practices (Walvoord & Anderson, 2011). We ...
To encourage critical thinking in the digital age, here are Tutor Doctor's tips for evaluating online information. Domains: the old rules need a few adjustments. If you were a student in the 90s or 2000s, you may recall being told a "general rule" that certain domain names were safer: specifically .gov, .edu, .org, and .net. Today, this ...
In today's digital age, international students need to be more careful than ever when choosing which sources of information to trust. The internet is constantly evolving, with increased access to publishing platforms and the rise of generative artificial intelligence (AI), making critical thinking skills more important than ever.
"By increasingly outsourcing learning, creating, and critical thinking tasks to machines, we run the risk of losing something very precious: embodied intelligence," Thomas explained. "Living in the world used to require a lot more embodied intelligence than it does now. Take navigation, for instance.
Student Learning Development supports Trinity students reach their academic potential. We offer a range of services including individual appointments, workshops and skills events. These services are designed to develop your skills in areas such as academic writing, self and time management, exam & assessment skills for PG & UG students.
Overreliance on AI in decision-making processes can lead to a decrease in critical thinking and problem-solving skills among professionals . Vigilance toward our own mind matters even more now.