Book cover art to be inserted Chapter 9 Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving.

Book cover art to be insertedBook cover art to be inserted

Chapter 9Chapter 9

Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving


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C H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E R Critical Thinking and Creative Critical Thinking and Creative Problem SolvingProblem SolvingCritical Thinking and Creative Critical Thinking and Creative Problem SolvingProblem Solving99

C H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E R

To prepare your mind for problem To prepare your mind for problem solvingsolvingThe importance of critical thinkingThe importance of critical thinkingCommon fallacies and errors in Common fallacies and errors in judgmentjudgmentHow to use problem solving for How to use problem solving for mathematics and sciencemathematics and science

In Chapter 9 You Will LearnIn Chapter 9 You Will LearnIn Chapter 9 You Will LearnIn Chapter 9 You Will Learn99 Critical Thinking and Creative Critical Thinking and Creative Problem SolvingProblem SolvingCritical Thinking and Creative Critical Thinking and Creative Problem SolvingProblem Solving

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How to overcome math anxietyHow to overcome math anxietyThe importance of creativity in The importance of creativity in problem solvingproblem solving

In Chapter 9 You Will LearnIn Chapter 9 You Will LearnIn Chapter 9 You Will LearnIn Chapter 9 You Will Learn

C H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E R

99 Critical Thinking and Creative Critical Thinking and Creative Problem SolvingProblem SolvingCritical Thinking and Creative Critical Thinking and Creative Problem SolvingProblem Solving

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See yourself having many creative ideas.

See yourself having many creative ideas. You See yourself having many creative ideas. You are aware, alive, and alert. You view are aware, alive, and alert. You view problems as opportunities and challenges to problems as opportunities and challenges to gain confidence and test your problem-gain confidence and test your problem-solving strategies. You make decisions solving strategies. You make decisions easily, but with care, and learn from your easily, but with care, and learn from your mistakes. You are looking forward with mistakes. You are looking forward with enthusiasm.enthusiasm.

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Success Principle 9Success Principle 9

9Focus on Focus on DECISION MAKING, DECISION MAKING, not not snap judgmentssnap judgments..

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Preparing Your Mind for Preparing Your Mind for Problem SolvingProblem Solving

1.1. Have a positive attitude.Have a positive attitude.2.2. Use critical thinking.Use critical thinking.3.3. Persistence pays off.Persistence pays off.

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C H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E RC H A P T E R Critical Thinking and Creative Critical Thinking and Creative Problem SolvingProblem SolvingCritical Thinking and Creative Critical Thinking and Creative Problem SolvingProblem Solving99Critical Thinking QualitiesCritical Thinking Qualities

Figure 9.1

Attributes of a Critical ThinkerAttributes of a Critical Thinker…………………………………………………………………………………………..Willingness to ask pertinent questions and assess Willingness to ask pertinent questions and assess statements and argumentsstatements and argumentsAbility to suspend judgment and tolerate ambiguityAbility to suspend judgment and tolerate ambiguityAbility to admit a lack of information or Ability to admit a lack of information or understandingunderstandingCuriosity and interest in seeking new solutionsCuriosity and interest in seeking new solutionsAbility to clearly define a set of criteria for analyzing Ability to clearly define a set of criteria for analyzing ideasideasWillingness to examine beliefs, assumptions, and Willingness to examine beliefs, assumptions, and opinions against factsopinions against facts

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”

“

——John Dewy, author John Dewy, author How We ThinkHow We Think

The core of critical thinking is The core of critical thinking is having…healthy skepticism and using having…healthy skepticism and using suspended judgment.suspended judgment.

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Common Errors in JudgmentCommon Errors in Judgment

The following errors in judgment The following errors in judgment interfere with critical thinking:interfere with critical thinking:

StereotypesStereotypesSnap judgmentsSnap judgmentsUnwarranted assumptionsUnwarranted assumptions

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cont’dcont’d

Common Errors in JudgmentCommon Errors in Judgment

ProjectionProjectionThe halo effectThe halo effectSweeping generalizationsSweeping generalizations

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Problem-Solving Strategies Problem-Solving Strategies for Math and Science Classesfor Math and Science Classes

1.1. Define the problem.Define the problem.2.2. Gather information and facts.Gather information and facts.3.3. Go from the general to the Go from the general to the

specific.specific.4.4. Develop a plan.Develop a plan.

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cont’dcont’d

Problem-Solving Strategies Problem-Solving Strategies for Math and Science Classesfor Math and Science Classes

5.5. Make connections.Make connections.6.6. Be flexible and creative.Be flexible and creative.7.7. Take a break.Take a break.8.8. Begin with the easiest Begin with the easiest

problem.problem.

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Gathering Information and FactsGathering Information and Facts

Graphic OrganizerGraphic Organizer

What is being asked?

What do I know?

What do I need to know?

How do I set up this problem?

What is my hypothesis?

What is my theory?

What are the main points?

What are the relationships?

What am I trying to find

out?

What factors will influence the outcome?

What formulas, calculations,

and constructions

will be helpful?

What theories, principles, or research will help me with this problem?

ScientistsScientistsaskask

themselvesthemselves

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Overcoming Math AnxietyOvercoming Math Anxiety

Computers can tutor you in math Computers can tutor you in math and help you become more and help you become more familiar with the formulas, familiar with the formulas, theorems, and applications.theorems, and applications.

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Overcoming Math AnxietyOvercoming Math Anxiety

Practicing will improve your math Practicing will improve your math skills and ease your anxiety. skills and ease your anxiety.

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If you have a case of anxiety over taking a required math class, try enrolling in a summer refresher course. You’ll be prepared and

confident when you later take the required course.

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Assessment and ReviewAssessment and Review

1.1. SummarizeSummarize the problem in the problem in your own words.your own words.

2.2. EvaluateEvaluate by going through by going through each step.each step.

3.3. Practice and be persistentPractice and be persistent by by being disciplined and focused.being disciplined and focused.

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Practice problems and keep up with assignments. Working with a

study partner is a great way to understand and practice math.

Use creativity strategies to think outside the box.

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CreativityCreativity

Creativity is thinking of something Creativity is thinking of something different and using new different and using new approaches to solve problems.approaches to solve problems.

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Your attitudes can form mental Your attitudes can form mental blocks that keep you from being blocks that keep you from being creative.creative.

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The following ten strategies will The following ten strategies will help you to unlock your mind’s help you to unlock your mind’s natural creativity:natural creativity:

1.1. Use games, puzzles, and Use games, puzzles, and humor.humor.

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2.2. Challenge the rules.Challenge the rules.3.3. Brainstorm.Brainstorm.4.4. Work to change mind-sets.Work to change mind-sets.5.5. Change your routine.Change your routine.6.6. Allow failure.Allow failure.7.7. Expect to be creative.Expect to be creative.

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cont’dcont’d


8.8. Support, acknowledge, and Support, acknowledge, and reward creativity.reward creativity.

9.9. Use both sides of the brain.Use both sides of the brain.10.10. Keep a journal.Keep a journal.

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Try not to let your previous experience influence your

expectations on how to solve a new problem.

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Creative Problem-Solving Creative Problem-Solving TechniquesTechniques

1.1. Act it out.Act it out.2.2. Move it around.Move it around.3.3. Picture it.Picture it.4.4. Take it apart.Take it apart.5.5. Translate and summarize.Translate and summarize.

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cont’dcont’d

Creative Problem-Solving Creative Problem-Solving TechniquesTechniques

6.6. Simplify.Simplify.7.7. Estimate.Estimate.8.8. Work with a partner.Work with a partner.9.9. Ask questions.Ask questions.10.10. Sleep on it.Sleep on it.

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Create a positive attitude.Create a positive attitude.

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Ask questions.Ask questions.

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Go from general to specific.Go from general to specific.

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Make connections.Make connections.

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Be flexible and creative.Be flexible and creative.

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Evaluate.Evaluate.

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Practice and be persistent.Practice and be persistent.

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Brainstorm.Brainstorm.

Book cover art to be insertedBook cover art to be inserted

End of Chapter 9End of Chapter 9



Book cover art to be inserted Chapter 9 Critical Thinking and Creative Problem Solving.

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