Introduction to critical thinking

Hawwa Shiuna MusthafaDepartment of Education, Bangalore University

M.Ed (Master of Education)(Educational Administration & Educational Leadership B.Ed (Bachelor of Education) (Specializing in Teaching of Social Sciences and English.

B.A (Bachelor of Arts) (Auxiliary subjects: Psychology, English and Sociology.

CRITICAL THINKING

BY: MS. HAWWA SHIUNA

ARE YOU CONVINCED????

• EVERY DAY SITUATIONS:

• YOU SHOULD GO TO BED EARLY

• YOU SHOULD BECOME A DOCTOR

• YOU SHOULD STUDY

• YOU SHOULDN’T PLAY TOO MUCH

• DONT CLIMB UP THE WALL YOU WILL FALL

• YOU ARE FAT

• SHOULD I BUY A CAR?

WRONG DECISIONS??!!!

• ARE YOU TIRED OF MAKING WRONG DECISIONS??

• BLAMING OTHERS FOR YOUR WRONG DECISIONS???

• INFLUENCED BY OTHERS???

• CANT MAKE UP MY MIND!!!!!

• I AM CONFUSED!!!

• WHAT SHOULD I DO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THINK CRITICALLY!!!!

LET US UNDERSTAND WHAT IS THINKING ??

• Activity of the brain.

• Potential for communication

• 2 activities:-

– Gathering Information (Perception)

– Processing Information (Cognition)

• The action of using one's mind to produce thoughts

• Thinking involves mentally manipulating information, as when we form concepts, solve problems, reason, and make decisions

SO NOW WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING?!

• Critical thinking involves asking questions,

defining a problem, examining evidence,

analyzing assumptions and biases, avoiding

emotional reasoning, avoiding

oversimplification, considering other

interpretations, and tolerating ambiguity

• In short, it “literally thinking about something from many angles.

Why is it important to develop your critical thinking skills? „

• In order to make informed decisions and effectively problem solve in all areas of your life

• „ „ To avoid making big mistakes that you will regret in the future regret in the future

• „ „ To use the knowledge gained from positive experiences so that you can create more positive experiences

WHEN DO YOU USE CRITICAL THINKING OUTSIDE OF COLLEGE?

• „ „ When deciding whether or not you can afford to buy something

• „ „ Deciding who to date/Marry

• „ „ Deciding who to vote for in the next election

• „ „ When thinking about how a big decision that will affect your life

“Reading without reflecting is like eating without digesting”

• In a very real sense CT is pervasive.

• There is hardly a time or a place where it would not seem to be of use.

• Have purposes in mind.

• Wonder what’s true and what’s not.

• What to believe and what to reject.

CORE CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS•Conceptualizing— developing a “mind

picture”

• Applying—putting conceptual info to use

• Analyzing—closely examining tearing apart or

breaking down to really look at

• Synthesizing—pulling things together in a well-

organized logical way

• Evaluating—making decisions about;

reviewing; assessing; etc.

I am not a

parrot!

HOW CAN I THINK OUTSIDE THE BOX??

Critical thinking begins when

you question beyond what is given

• You want to know more:

• how something happens,

• why it happens, and further

• what will happen if something changes.

Critical thinking therefore requires a conscious

level of processing, analysis, creation and

evaluation of possible outcomes, and reflection.

Critical thinkers….

They are interested in knowing all there is about a topic. They look for new and better ways to do everything. They are not the

person who will settle for ―…because that is the way we

have always done it.‖

Critical thinkers are curious

How can the definition of critical thinking help you

solve this problem? Connect the 9 dots using 4

straight lines. Once you start drawing the lines,

do not stop until all 9 dots have been connected.

HINT: Lines may be vertical, horizontal and/or

diagonal.

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Solution—

Critical Thinking Exercise

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Why Is Critical Thinking Important

It . . .

• . . . underlies reading, writing, listening and speaking—basic

elements of communication

• . . . plays an important part in social change. . .

institutions in any society—courts, governments, schools,

businesses—are the products of critical thinking

• . . . plays a major role in technological advances

• . . . blazes a path to freedom from half-truths and deceptions

Who Uses Critical Thinking

• Parents

• Nurses

• Doctors

• Athletic coaches

• Teachers/Professors

• Air Traffic Controllers

• Military Commanders

• Lawyers, Judges

• Supervisors

• Day Care Workers

Therefore CT is…

•Critical thinking is “higher level” thinking”

• It often requires us to think ―outside the box‖

•Many occupations/careers require critical thinking

•The things we enjoy in everyday society are the result of critical thinking

•By adopting certain habits and behaviors we can learn to think critically.

Critical Thinking Dispositions

Trying to be well informed

Staying focused

Willing to evaluate alternatives

Taking a supportable position

Seeking precision

Proceeding in a logical and orderly manner

Being sensitive to others’ positions