...Critical Thinkers and Education A Teachers Goal Bia Mcgrue Scypion EDU372: Educational Psychology Prof. Jimletta Vareene-Thomas 2/20/2016 Critical Thinkers and Education A Teachers Goal Throughout life we are challenged and we encounter an abundance of issues or problems that we need to solve. Some problems that can be resolved effortlessly and efficiently but other obstacles may require a more critical and creative thinking to overcome. When it comes down to thinking to solve problems we depend on our thinking or give some regurgitated answer that we just read. But “much of our thinking, left to itself, is biased, distorted, partial, uninformed, or downright prejudiced” (TCTC, 2016). The purpose of critical thinking is so that we are able to not only accomplish or attain understanding but also so we can assess or check each other’s frame of reference and eventually clarify the question or dilemma at hand. Some would argue whose challenge is it to get students to move pass their beliefs and assumption. Is it on students to dig deeper to gain or find additional tools and information that leads to developing a more in depth thought process. Richard Dawkins expressed that we should “not indoctrinate your children. Teach them how to think for themselves, how to evaluate evidence, and how to disagree with you” (Dawkins, 2015). Picture a student who completes every assignment follows along attentively writes down the notes and answers the questions with the information found...
Words: 3300 - Pages: 14
...Saturday, May 19th 2012 Hum/111 – Instructor K. Moore Week 9 Assignment: Personal Reflection Paper Critical thinking is when you use logical thinking process to evaluate things such as decisions, readings and much more. Critical thinking is developed as a person ages and the brain is introduced to critical thinking skills in order to effectively form the final tool of critical thinking. It may not be used as much if a person doesn’t employ the skills that they have been taught. How critical thinking differs from the usual thinking is the fact that there is depth. The three most significant things that I learned about critical thinking during this class are that it aides’ creative thinking, helps you better analyze things and it impacts the decisions you make. Creative thinking is aided by critical thinking because it assists in the thinking department and helps get the juices flowing when it comes to creating ideas because you have to evaluate them to see if they are worthy. Analyzing a situation wouldn’t be the same if you didn’t have critical thinking to help. When analyzing an idea or decision, critical thinking helps you answer those what, when, why and how questions that require an answer. Critical thinking impacts the decisions you make because if you don’t think critically you may find yourself in a whirlwind of confusion and frustration. When you are using critical thinking you will either get a positive result or a negative result. If you get a positive result then you...
Words: 730 - Pages: 3
...Critical thinking on a decline. What is critical thinking? Critical thinking is the art of thinking about thinking with a view to improving it. Critical thinkers seek to improve thinking. As students, spend more time on computers, smartphones, and the internet they fail to see the risks they are taking and the damage that has been done. Technology plays a big role in our lives; our skills in critical thinking and analysis have declined, while our visual skills have improved, according to research by Patricia Greenfield UCLA Professor. Students who read for pleasure enhances their thinking and engages their imagination in a way that visuals do not. Studies show that reading develops imagination, induction, reflection and critical thinking, as vocabulary. (Greenfield). Many teachers are seeing a decline in children’s writing skills. With so much of their education being online, the use of handwriting and general writing skills are being ignored. Cursive handwriting has become a pastime. As students spend more time with visual media and less time with print, evaluation methods that include visual media will give a better picture of what they actually know, said (Greenfield). By using more visual media, students will process information better, she said. However, most visual media are real-time media that do not allow time to reflection, analysis or imagination; those are not developed by real-time such as television or video games. Schools should ensure that students have the...
Words: 574 - Pages: 3
...1 Introduction Reading the newspaper, listening to a change management strategy at a department meeting, hiring a new mid-level manager – what do all of these activities have in common? Critical thinking is required in each situation to adequately assess the situation and act accordingly. We may not be aware of the frequency with which we employ critical thinking, but it is vital to good decision making. Without critical thinking, managers can fall into the habit of reacting on impulse, responding to gut feelings alone, or relying only on the advice of others when making important decisions. Understanding the relationship between critical thinking and decision making is the first step towards making wise decisions. This week's focus is on critical thinking and how it relates to decision making. Topics include defining critical thinking, benefits of thinking critically, and the relationship between critical thinking and decision making. Week in Relation to the course Good decision making is the backbone of sound management. The University of Phoenix nine-step decision-making model requires a sequence of steps leading to a sound, defensible decision. Critical thinking is a vital component of making good decisions, defining the decision-making strategy by analyzing the thinking process involved. A firm grasp of the critical-thinking components will equip managers to make sound, considered decisions. Discussion of a Key Point, Thread, or Objective Critical Thinking Definition and...
Words: 5005 - Pages: 21
...MECN1001: Critical Thinking Component Science Fiction Course reader Semester 2, 2015 “If science fiction is the mythology of modern technology, then its myth is tragic.” – Ursula Le Guin Lecturer and course co-ordinator: Ms Linda Mabin Linda.Mabin@wits.ac.za CM, 3rd Floor, East Wing, ADU (011) 717-7064 MECN1001: Critical Thinking Course Outline Science Fiction is a genre that is growing in currency around the world as a literature of cognitive estrangement, and one that has immense universal value because of this. To distance oneself from the ascendant structures of power is to perceive the world anew, filled with potential for change. For this reason, Science Fiction is a literature of immense value for a country such as South Africa. Approaching the challenges of a nation such as this requires an imagination trained to be meticulous in its logic, but unrestrained by the restrictions of present reality. Each tutorial activity is crafted to correlate with the concerns of the lecture material. Tutorials transpose the fundamental concerns dealt with in the subject matter of the lectures and ‘activate’ these ideas by having students demonstrate their knowledge not just in the form of individual written exercises, but through the vitally necessary process of engaging their tutors and peers in structured discussion. It is thus clear that the success of a tutorial is dependent on student participation, and as clear that the success of a tutorial depends on students being intrigued...
Words: 1445 - Pages: 6
...Running Head: Critical Thinking Application Paper The human mind is continually discerning; sorting new evidence and maneuvering into logical thoughts. These thoughts can take an individual from fantasizing about being rich to analyzing statistics for his or her job in less than a second. Thinking taking place in humans viscerally however, critical thinking requires the use of a self - correction transpires and monitoring to judge rationally (The Critical Thinker, 2009). Critical thinking skills will support a person during the decision-making process, which is conscientious for assisting in many verdicts made throughout an individual’s life, especially in a career or school environment. Critical thinking can be looked at as ability because it is something that can be discovered and improved to a certain degree. The goal of critical thinking is to eliminate illogical unconnected thought and open a broader vision of knowledge (The Critical Thinker, 2009). Critical thinking seeks to exclude prejudice, biased, and self – serving thought. However in some cases people use critical thinking skills in a self-serving way which can support an individual to maneuver a situation. This type of critical thinking is referred to as weak-sense critical thinking most often found in government and work politics and other areas of nature. Critical thinking in its vibrant form involves a person to be a fair-minded and strong sense philosopher. The individual should make an effort to...
Words: 718 - Pages: 3
...Continuing Academic Success Mehgan Matherne GEN/200 April 27, 2015 Rick Guliuzza Continuing Academic Success In order for one to fully achieve greatness and success, they must understand how to apply different strategies throughout their life that they learned during their academic career. One must take personal responsibility for their success in their education and career because you are your biggest contributor to your success. You can attain success by understanding who you are, how you learn, and how to utilize the many resources available to you. One of the most necessary tools to conquer is the process of setting goals. It’s not just necessary to set goals, but you must also understand why you are setting them. I want to earn my Bachelor’s Degree in Health Administration by November 2017. I have worked in the healthcare industry since I was 18 years old; however, I never enjoyed the clinical side of the business. As for my career, I want to work in Healthcare Administration at Ochsner Pediatrics Office. My husband had brain surgery in February 2012 at Ochsner, and the entire staff was fantastic. I want to work in the Pediatrics' department because I became a Certified Medical Administrative Assistant in February 2015 and completed my internship at a local pediatrician’s office. I found much self-gratification in working with children because I was able to assist financially strained families by finding them affordable insurance. Setting goals maps out...
Words: 1798 - Pages: 8
... | | Copyright © 2011, 2009, 2005 by University of Phoenix. All rights reserved. Course Description This course provides a broad overview of the human services discipline using practice settings and social problems as lenses so that the role and function of the human service provider, as well as the clients with whom they work can be understood in context. The course begins with a brief overview of what a human service provider is, and what services these professionals provide. A history of social welfare is provided so that students can gain a historical perspective of how poor and marginalized populations have been cared for in the United States. Generalist practice skills and intervention strategies are introduced generally, but a more in-depth exploration of intervention strategies are discussed in later chapters as they apply to particular social problems and practice settings. The course concludes with an exploration of macro practice where change is affected on a broader scale, both domestically and abroad. Students should leave this class having a good idea of what a human service worker is, what they do, who they work with, as well as the gaining a deeper understanding of...
Words: 2545 - Pages: 11
...human service provider, as well as the clients with whom they work can be understood in context. The course begins with a brief overview of what a human service provider is, and what services these professionals provide. A history of social welfare is provided so that students can gain a historical perspective of how poor and marginalized populations have been cared for in the United States. Generalist practice skills and intervention strategies are introduced generally, but a more in-depth exploration of intervention strategies are discussed in later chapters as they apply to particular social problems and practice settings. The course concludes with an exploration of macro practice where change is affected on a broader scale, both domestically and abroad. Students should leave this class having a good idea of what a human service worker is, what they do, who they work with, as well as the gaining a deeper understanding of the mission, values and goals embraced by the human service profession. Students will gain knowledge of skills needed to do critical thinking, make oral presentations, function in learning teams, conduct research, and write academic papers in the format of The Publication Manual for the American Psychological Association. Students will be introduced to the university library and learn how to access its resources successfully. Policies Faculty and students/learners will be held responsible for understanding and adhering to all policies contained within...
Words: 2513 - Pages: 11
...i Internet is Making Us Dumber During the past two centuries the world has witnessed an explosion of technological advances. There has been much debate about the Internet, and specifically about the effects of the wed search engine like Google. Many respected writers, a plethora of articles and books have been published lately arguing both sides of the issue. While many writers claim that the internet has a negative, damaging effect on the brain and cognition, others see the benefits of technology in helping us achieve the previously unachievable and freeing us from many time-consuming activities. Based on our research and personal experience, we have found out several reasons to support the argument such as the negative impacts on human behaviour, degeneration of human abilities and contradictory information. Therefore, we strongly agree that the sheer amount of information that we have access to nowadays is actually making us dumber. Information that we have access to is making us dumber because of contradictory information. Information can be defined as facts or details about a situation, person, or event. According to Wikipedia (2013), as the world moves into a new era of globalization, an increasing number of people are connecting to the internet to conduct their own research and are given the ability to produce as well as consume the data accessed on an increasing number of websites. Users are now classified as active users because more people in society are...
Words: 1702 - Pages: 7
...Learning Northeast Regional Technical Assistance Center Compiled by Lorraine Parrillo Cooperative/Clearinghouse Coordinator Northeast Regional Technical Assistance Center December 5, 1994 Used with their permission INTRODUCTION This module includes a summary of materials currently used to support reflection in the service learning movement. Crucial information presented includes: 1. Introductory materials on Reflection by Diane Hedin and Dan Conrad 2. Reflective teaching techniques using eleven different forms of reflection rather than just using journals and asking how participants feel about service 3. Basic critical thinking skills that may be used in reflection sessions 4. Bibliography Reflection Reflective learning techniques are not the lone providence of service activities. All thinking and dialogue requires some form of reflection if learning is to take place. Individuals need time and reconsideration of events to put facts and ideas into sequence and eventually into a better understanding as to what happened during a specific event. Everyone in their life-time will be required to repeat this process endlessly. Nevertheless, schools do little to prepare their students for reflection. Reflection activities allow students a sense of intellectual ownership and a better understanding of oneself and one's own abilities. Reflection is more than problem solving which has an excessive concern for right answers. It focuses on how...
Words: 7889 - Pages: 32
...Microsoft®, Windows®, and Windows NT® are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. All other company and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks or their respective companies. Use of these marks is not intended to imply endorsement, sponsorship, or affiliation. Edited in accordance with University of Phoenix® editorial standards and practices. Course Syllabus Course Title: GEN 480 Interdisciplinary Capstone Course BSBM.04-08.BSMB0533A Course Schedule: 04/08/08 to 05/12/08 Required Text: Paul, R., & Elder, L., (2002), Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your professional and personal life. Upper Saddle River, NJ, Prentice Hall. Paul, R., & Elder, L., (2003), The Miniature guide to understanding the foundations of ethical reasoning, The Foundation for Critical Thinking, Dillon Beach, CA. Ruggiero, V., (2004), Thinking critically about ethical issues 6th edition, Burr Ridge, IL, McGraw-Hill. Electronic Resources: Note: All required text materials can be found on the GEN/480 course page. The page can be accessed through the University of Phoenix Student and Faculty Website at...
Words: 4616 - Pages: 19
...Critical Thinking Student Development Unit 2005/06 [pic] [pic] Welcome! This booklet contains all the handouts and information that you will need for the Critical Thinking workshop held at the Student Development Unit. As well as the exercises we’ll be working on during the session, you will also find guidance that you can keep for future reference, such as advice on active learning and intelligence, models for critical thinking skills, and questions to help you think critically. When you are asked to complete an academic assignment, your tutor will be looking for evidence of these three skills: • Gathering of complex material • Making sense of that complex material • Communicating your understanding of that complex material to an informed reader.[1] The ‘making sense’ stage is the one we tend to neglect out of fear that we may not have anything of value to contribute. But, as the eminent thinker Edward De Bono puts it: ‘Thinking is a skill that can be improved by training, by practice and through learning how to do it better. Thinking is no different from any other skill and we can get better at the skill of thinking if we have the will to do so.’[2] We hope that this handbook will help you to develop strongly argued and well-structured pieces of work, and encourage you to build critical thinking into every aspect of your academic life. Be prepared to make some changes to how you work – if you always...
Words: 5471 - Pages: 22
...spend 10-25 hours per week in each course reading material, interacting on the discussion boards, writing papers, completing projects, and doing research. | Faculty Information Name: Phone: CSU-GC Email: Virtual Office Hours: Course Description and Outcomes This required first course for all majors provides an overview of leadership basics. In the context of studying at CSU-Global Campus, students will develop strategies for success in the online learning environment. The course engages students in discussion, exploration and application of leadership skills, principles and practices. Students will learn about the relationships and connections among leaders, individuals, and organizations. Topics include strategy, communication, motivation, power, organizational change, and workplace conflict. Additionally this course relates leadership skill to those skills needed to be a successful lifelong and online learner. Course Learning Outcomes 1. Describe social problems, the various perspectives on problems, and possible solutions. 2. Apply knowledge of a particular major or discipline to pressing contemporary problems. 3. Create empowering environments by inspiring others, building coalitions, and developing a shared vision. 4. Integrate leadership and critical thinking skills through completion of a final project. 5. Analyze and solve problems using strategic thinking, planning, communication, and writing skills in a practical, applied setting. 6....
Words: 2436 - Pages: 10
...Word Count: 480 Portfolio Task: Module 1 “Effective study skills are the sole foundation of a sound education” This essay will define what study skills are. It will consider how these techniques aid learning and what influence they have upon what is considered a ‘sound education’ and what other influences may impact upon education. A skill involves being able to perform an activity well (Cottrell 2008). Study skills can be defined as “methods of purposeful learning, which usually involve reading and writing” (http://studying/askdefine.com) Study skills are techniques used to understand learning and to manage success. To be able to study effectively, self- awareness is needed, being able to identify your own strengths and using these to improve learning. Essentially any skill which can enhance a person’s ability to study can be deemed a study skill whether this is improving computer skills for sourcing information or developing critical thinking whilst reading. There is a wide range of different techniques that can be categorised as study skills. Some of which may come naturally to the learner and others can be learnt, either way a skill needs to be developed well in order for it to become an effective tool. To develop a skill involves using personal qualities such as “self-motivation, time management, determination, commitment and perseverance” (Cottrell 2008). These personal skills will always be essential in successful study. Something...
Words: 514 - Pages: 3
