Active learning deepens critical thinking skills. In the 21st century, businesses are looking for critical thinkers who can evaluate information, analyze complex situations, solve problems, and recognize that they don’t always have to be right.Mistakes are inevitable, with learning occurring from the mistakes. Paul & Elder (2021) posit that critical thinking is a process for analyzing how we think about our own thinking.
Developing critical thinking requires progressing through stages of learning, each of which enhances students' ability to think critically. Aristotle’s contributions reflect reasoning grounded in ethos, pathos, and logos. Logos is categorized as deductive reasoning grounded in evidence and research. Critical thinking questions the status quo, challenges assumptions, and evaluates information, ultimately enabling more informed decision-making. Thinkers are skilled at scrutinizing research information to make informed decisions (Shields n.d.). Critical thinking can be viewed from two “incompatible ends” (p. 1): self-centeredness or fairness. We have all demonstrated ‘weak-sense’ thinking at one time or another; however, if one is going to think critically, be fair-minded, ask questions, and apply data and facts to professional life or research, one must examine assumptions and draw conclusions based on inquiry. When we analyze, evaluate, and reconstruct, we are creating a comprehensive framework for critical thinking, according to Paul & Elder (2021).
Active learning can promote “people skills” as well as the intellectual competence needed to succeed in the workplace.
