Developing a critical thinking framework

Developing a critical thinking framework

1. Developing a Critical Thinking Framework ACCY 415 – Spring 2016

2. Critical Thinking 2

3. Critical Thinking A definition: “Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing and/or evaluating information gathered from or generated by observation, experience, reflection, reasoning or communication, as a guide to belief and action.” “It entails effective communication and problem solving abilities” www.criticalthinking.org 3

4. Asking Essential Questions… “The quality of our thinking is given in the quality of our questions.” 1 To be skilled at thinking we must be skilled at questioning. Questions are “the keys to productive thinking, deep learning, and effective living.” 1 1 Elder & Paul, (2010), “The Art of Asking Essential Questions” 4

5. Start with a Framework Numerous guides available We will use the framework provided by the Foundation for Critical Thinking www.criticalthinking.org

6. Universal Structures of Thought Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006).  Critical thinking: Learn the tools the best thinkers use  (Concise ed.). Upper Saddle River, N.J.: Pearson/Prentice Hall. 6

7. Elements of Thought https://www.criticalthinking.org/ctmodel/logic-model1.htm 7

8. All reasoning has a PURPOSE Take time to state your purpose clearly Distinguish your purpose from related purposes Check periodically to be sure you are still on target. Choose significant and realistic purposes.

9. All reasoning is an attempt to FIGURE something out, to settle some QUESTION, solve some PROBLEM Take time to clearly and precisely state the question at issue. Express the question in several ways to clarify its meaning and scope. Break the question into sub-questions. Identify if the question has one right answer, is a matter of mere opinion, or requires reasoning for more than one point of view.

10. All reasoning is based on assumptions.

11. All reasoning is done from a POINT OF View

12. All reasoning is based on DATA, INFORMATION and Evidence Restrict your claims to those supported by the data you have. Search for information that opposes your position a swell as information that supports it. Make sure that all information used

13. All reasoning is expressed through, and shaped by, CONCEPTS and IDEAS

14. All reasoning contains INFERENCES or INTERPRETATIONS by which we draw CONCLUSIONS and give meaning to data.

15. All reasoning ends somewhere or has IMPLICATIONS and CONSEQUENCES

16. Article Analysis Template The main purpose of this article is____________________. The key question is _______________________________. The most important information in this article is_________. The main conclusions in this article are________________. The key concept(s) we need to understand in this article is (are )___________. The main assumption(s) underlying the author’s thinking is (are )___________. If people take this line of reasoning seriously, the implications are_____________. If people fail to take this line of reasoning seriously, the implications are _____________. The main point(s) of the view presented in this article is (are )_________.

17. Practice… Read the article “How Target Figured Out a Teen Girl was Pregnant Before Her Father Did” (I will provide this article in class) Apply the “Elements of Thought” and the Critical Thinking template as a guide. Be ready to share your analysis with the class. 17