Critical thinking is very important
Our educational system is not set up to create students who use reason and judgment appropriately. They are fed information and then tested on that information in a standardized format that is easy to grade. It does not gives us real insight into what the student knows. It gives us insight into the fact that the student read and memorized and was successful (or not) with regurgitating the information fed them. To be real world problem solvers, we must approach them differently. We must present them problems as well as the skills needed to solve those problems and the time to work through the issues at hand. We can't expect critical thinking to develop from a lecture and a book.
Characteristics of a critical thinker:gain new information and apply it often, skills for good judgment to make appropriate repsonses.
This can be applied in the academia to enrich the learning experinec of students.
Questioning as a teaching and learning technique engages students and helps them to explore information
The concept of discipline - the investment of time, effort, and application stood out to me the most. I think this attribute is what sets successful students apart from unsuccessful students. If we can help develop this skill in our students, I believe they can learn to apply the right amount of effort to achieve any goal. The other thing to consider, is that judgment, another important component of critical thinking, is developed through extensive experience. This is something our students usually don't have at the outset in our particular field of study, and it is through providing opportunities to experience real-life situations through service learning and fieldwork experience, that we can help our students develop this skill, as well.
Critical thinking is a process. I will forge better questions.
Questions go from simple or direct to complex (or open and probing) as critical thinking increases
Questioning as a teaching and learning technique engages students and helps them to critically think.
I would serve society better if I am a critical thinker.
Learning about the characteristics of a critical thinker will allow me to better bring out that ability in my students.
