|
|
Techniques for Catalyzing Critical ThinkingBackground: There are usually one to three students in each classroom who have natural predilections for critical thinking, but the majority will do it only if pushed. A few will have great difficulty. How can we assist the latter two categories of students?
What is critical thinking?
• Questioning the truth of a whole article or of specific points within an article
• Questioning the author’s written or unwritten assumptions (or in the case of a film or other digital media – the author’s assumptions as acted or played out within the medium)
• Questioning the relationship between a point and the supporting evidence (such as misuse of statistics or quotations or authorities on a subject)
• Pointing out any logical fallacies or slanted language in a text
• Pointing out two or more opposing ways of thinking about a given proposition
• Showing awareness of weaknesses or inadequacies in one’s own argument
It is wise to require critical thinking on the assignment guidelines.
Five In-Class Critical Thinking Catalysts
A. Dialectical Thinking
B.Provocative Questions
C. Mini-Debates
D. Parliamentary Debate
E. Act Out Your Paper
|
|
|
