Characteristics of a Critical Thinker | Origin: ED116
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Critical Thinking Processes and Applications --> Characteristics of a Critical Thinker
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
Through exploring the characteristics of a critical thinker, I’ve learned that critical thinkers are curious, open-minded, analytical, and reflective. They question assumptions rather than accepting information at face value. They seek evidence, evaluate sources carefully, and are willing to revise their views based on new information. Importantly, they communicate their reasoning clearly and consider alternative perspectives before making decisions.
As a critical thinker, especially in the field of healthcare, one must be mindful of the decisions or judgment calls one makes as these can have profound consequences on the ones impacted, and therefore, requires the thinker to be astute in their reasoning. The use of questioning must be encouraged so as to arrive at the most accurate decision.
Characteristics of critical thinkers include open mindedness, active listening, and analysis with problem solving strategies. It is a process that can be developed over time.
Walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it must be a duck. This module expanded those criteria to include breath oxygen (a mechanical duck doesn't need oxygen) and flap it's wings (a duck without wings is not a duck, apparently) and must be a good swimmer (an average swimmer misses the mark as a duck, I guess).
Risk must be allowed for critical thinking skills to be developed.
What I have learned: Questions students ask when listening to a lecture; how discipline and judgment come into play with critical thinking; asking the right questions to generate critical thinking; using case studies to increase problem solving; add critical thinking questions to assessments; practice critical thinking and problem solving in the classroom before moving to an assessment.
Questioning students is an essential tool an instructor can use to develop the critical thinking skills of their students.
I think in this day and age and in our current environment, it would be best for all of us, even students, to ask questions before making decisions. We should be extremely skeptical when someone tries to tell us how to live, what to do, what to buy, what to believe, etc. Every person involved has an agenda that may be completely opposite to ours. The best recent example was the response to the C19 pandemic. Different parties had different agendas from making billions of dollars to controlling how others lived. In other words, health was not the sole consideration.
For our world to survive, we must teach our students about reasoning, discipline, questioning, and judgment. If we do not help our students develop the ability to question the world around them, they will simply learn to parrot the answers of those who hold the most influence over them.
To be a critical thinker you must ask questions of the world/ situation around you. Education takes discipline and courage to get through. Critical thinking is a skill that is developed over time.
Discipline is an important concept in learning and critical thinking, I agree the students need to learn to do their part in learning. I apply interventions during my classes that encourage students to apply their own ideas and create solutions.
El pensamiento crítico debe ser impulsado en las aulas y las instituciones educativas en mayor medida.
It is up to the instructor to guide reasoning. Some students want to complete the course and go home. If you allow the environment to become safe and stimulating it sets the stage for critical thinking
Critical thinking is much more difficult to cultivate than discipline. Critical thinking can save lives. Discipline is the aptitude to be a critical thinker. In our healthcare setting, new nurse are finding it difficult to think critically more so when they are in a code situation. I think it is important for all educational system to begin teaching critically to students to prevent the embarrassment when college students graduate, apply for a job, and do not know how to answer a critical thinking question during the interview.
I enjoyed being able to identify more clearly what is a critical thinker. Regarding how I will apply what I have learned, I plan to have my students analyze the kitchen workflow and suggest ways to improve and increase efficiency. Throughout the sanitation unit, students will be able to identify potential hazards in the kitchen and take appropriate measures to correct them. Students can apply their critical thinking to recipe creation while evaluating recipes for needed adjustments based on personal preference and dietary restrictions. While creating menus, students can analyze the nutritional content, cost, and flavor profiles of different dishes to create a well-balanced menu.
Helping the students to develop critical thinking skills
The reframing of discipline as a process of development for critical thinkers to encourage the investment of time and effort.
What have you learned from this module and how do you intend to apply it?
Since we need nurses that are good at critical thinking, I must find ways to get my students to apply logic to their critical thinking. I enjoy using a Socratic method when in class and clinical. The module information is accurate when it says that students are uncomfortable when asked questions about the why-why do you think that? why do you think this is true? etc. Educators must help students push through that discomfort so they can become better at critical thinking.
Its unfortunate that students expect to just show up in class without having to produce work. The concept of discipline she be discussed with students and incorporated.
