| There are many definitions to: What is Critical Thinking? | | | | anyone willing to stretch and grow. |
| That's to be expected. Critical thinking encompasses | | | | The brain acts like a muscle. If used, it strengthens. If |
| much of what we do when using our brains. | | | | shunned, it withers. |
| Words like: reasoning, interpreting, observation and | | | | The Benefits of Critical Thinking |
| more are used to describe critical thinking. | | | | Today there is a lack of critical thinking skills in the |
| Phrases are also used such as: rational thinking, | | | | workplace and in personal lives. Many people don't |
| focused thinking, cognitive process, reflective thought | | | | know how to critically think effectively even though |
| and informed opinions. Other phrases such as: | | | | they are capable of becoming strong critical thinkers. |
| analyzing and evaluating information to derive a | | | | Guidance, patience and practice are needed to learn |
| judgment are also used. | | | | how. |
| These are all good and descriptive words and phrases | | | | Critical thinking skills are not prevalent in our society |
| for What is Critical Thinking. However, let's ask the | | | | simply because we don't teach: What is critical |
| $100,000 question: | | | | thinking? enough. Here is what our learning institutions |
| What are the Benefits of Critical Thinking for you? | | | | are doing to teach critical thinking skills. |
| There are three answers to that question. | | | | America's Universities |
| 1. To make informed decisions - Making informed | | | | The United States has many of the finest universities |
| decisions is essential in your life. You have to decide | | | | in the world. Some of them emphasize and teach |
| on everything from where to have tomorrow's lunch, | | | | critical thinking skills. Unfortunately, many don't. This is |
| to what career to pursue. The more you are able to | | | | evident because too many students attending are not |
| tap into your experiences and knowledge the better | | | | learning the thinking skills they need to be successful. |
| your decisions are. | | | | For example The American Institute for Research |
| 2. To understand - Your ability to comprehend is | | | | published a study in January of 2006. It reports that: |
| another essential element in your life. You are exposed | | | | More than 75% of students at two year colleges and |
| to a wide array of information on television, the Internet | | | | more than 50% of students at four year colleges can't |
| books, magazines and people.o Understanding leads to | | | | read or write well. As examples of this, the report |
| opinions and decision making. For example, by reading | | | | states that these students can't effectively:o Compare |
| about, and comprehending the positions of two political | | | | credit card offers with different interest rateso |
| opponents you are better equipped to make an | | | | Summarize the arguments of newspaper editorials |
| informed decision on how to vote. | | | | It also states that at least 20% of college graduates |
| 3. To create, invent and discover - The ability to | | | | completing four year degrees, and 30% of students |
| create, invent, and discover are human traits that exist | | | | earning two year degrees, have only basic quantitative |
| in all of us. We create beautiful art, writing, music and | | | | and literacy skills. These individuals:o Are unable to |
| more. We invent things like the light bulb, the computer | | | | estimate if their car will make it to the next gas |
| and rockets. We discover things like E= MC2, penicillin, | | | | stationo Calculate the total cost of ordering office |
| and DNA.o The ability to create, invent and discover all | | | | supplies #1 |
| require decision making. It is an integral part of each | | | | Yet, they are still able to do these things better than |
| process. There are decisions in choosing a project to | | | | the general adult population. |
| pursue. Whatever you pursue there are decisions | | | | Where Do We Go From Here? |
| along the path. | | | | People can learn critical thinking skills on their own |
| Decision making is the common thread that weaves | | | | through trial and error. However, trial and error takes |
| through the most useful things critical thinking will do for | | | | much longer than if properly taught and coached. |
| you. That is why "What is Critical Thinking" can be | | | | It is painfully clear that most people aren't taught critical |
| defined as: | | | | thinking skills in a formal manner, or for that matter, in |
| The ability to make and carry out informed decisions | | | | any manner. Many don't even know: What is Critical |
| by efficiently utilizing your lifetime knowledge, | | | | Thinking. |
| experience, common sense, reasoning, intuition, feelings, | | | | Critical thinking skills can be learned at any age though |
| and confidence | | | | good books and from informed teachers, coaches, |
| Critical thinking requires the use of self-discipline and | | | | mentors and parents who care. The younger the |
| self-examination. The rewards are great freedom and | | | | students, the better, however, we all need to know: |
| the ability to complete projects, achieve objectives and | | | | What is Critical Thinking. To help fill the void, this |
| answer questions with confidence. | | | | website has been created. |
| When you take charge of your mind using critical | | | | #1 From the American Institute for Research "New |
| thinking and make sound decisions, you take charge of | | | | study of college students finds some are graduating |
| your life. | | | | with only basic skills". January 19, 2006. |
| Critical thinking is a skill. It will be strengthened by | | | | |