copyright © 2014 by the university of kansas thinking critically
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Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Thinking Critically
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
What is critical thinking?
Critical thinking is the process of examining, analyzing, questioning, and challenging situations,
issues, and information of all kinds.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Elements of critical thinking
• Problem/goal identification.• Diagnosis.• Exploration.• Action: Do it!• Reflection.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Why is critical thinking important?
• It identifies bias• It's oriented toward the problem, issue, or situation
being addressing.• It gives you the whole picture• It brings in other necessary factors• It considers both the simplicity and complexity of its
object. • It gives you the most nearly accurate view of reality.• It is most likely to help you get the results you want.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Who can (and should) learn to think critically?Everyone, from children to senior citizens.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How to help people learn to think critically
How to be a critical thinking facilitator:• Affirm learners' self-worth.• Listen attentively to learners.• Show your support for critical thinking efforts.• Reflect and mirror learners' ideas and actions.• Motivate people to think critically, but help them
to understand when it's appropriate to voice critical ideas and when it's not.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How to help people learn to think critically (cont.)
• Regularly evaluate progress with learners.• Help learners create networks of support.• Be a critical teacher.• Make people aware of how they learn critical
thinking.• Model critical thinking.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
How to encourage the critical stance
• Recognize assumptions.• Examine information for accuracy,
assumptions, biases, or specific interests.• Consider the context of the information, problem,
or issue.
Copyright © 2014 by The University of Kansas
Facilitating problem solving using critical
thinking• Identify the assumptions behind the problem.• Challenge those assumptions.• Imagine alternatives to what you started with.• Critique the alternatives.• Reframe the problem and solution.