Critical Thinking Book Review

A Miniature Guide (For Those Who Teach)

On How to Improve Student Learning

30 Practical Ideas

by Dr. Richard Paul

and Dr. Linda Elder

from criticalthinking.org

Book review for ED 6117by Dan Gutterud

Summer 2009

• Research and Professional Development at the Center for Critical Thinking, Director

• National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, Chair

• Author of eight books and 200+ articles on the subject.

• University professor for over 20 years.

• Recipient of numerous honors and awards (“Fellows of the foundation”)

• Educational psychologist• President of the Foundation for

Critical Thinking• Executive Director of the Center for

Critical Thinking• Taught college level psychology and

critical thinking • Presented to more than 20,000

educators• Co-author of four books, eighteen

guides, and a column on critical thinking (“Fellows of the foundation”)

Images from www.criticalthinking.org

Dr.

Rich

ard

Paul

Dr.

Lind

a El

der

Critical Thinking

“It is important for students be placed in situations in which they must apply what they are learning to personal experiences and situations”(Wetzel, 2008).

Image from http://www.sxc.hu

Critical Thinking

“No matter what your circumstance or goals, no matter where you are, or what problems you face, you are better off if your thinking is skilled. As a manager, leader, employee, citizen, lover, friend, parent — in every realm and situation of your life — good thinking pays off”(Elder & Paul, 2001). Image from http://www.sxc.hu

My Top Ten Practical Ideas for Improving Student Learning

Of the 30 ideas in the book, these are the ten that I will focus on the most with my students. The ideas are numbered as they are in the book.

Idea #6Think of Yourself

as a Coach

Image from www.flickr.com

Idea #2Encourage

students to think

about their thinking


Idea #15Ask questions

that probe understanding

Richard Paul image from criticalthinking.org

Idea #4 Use engaged lecture


Idea #12Design instruction

so students engage in routine practice

in internalizing and applying the concepts they are

learning (and in evaluating their understanding of each) Image from www.flickr.com

Idea #29Use tactics

that encourage active learning


Idea #27Design tests with the improvement

of student thinking in mind


Idea #18 Bring

intellectual standards into

daily use

graphic from https://louisville.edu/ideastoaction/what/critical-thinking/paul-elder-critical-thinking-model

Idea #9Make course work

intensive for students not you


Idea #10Relate content to issues, problems &

practical situations in the lives of students


YOU ARE INVITED!!Be sure to go to my blog on this topic at:

http://room13all-stars.blogspot.com

Please weigh in with your thoughts on critical thinking.

Also, visit my wiki at: http://room13allstars.pbworks.com

References:Elder, L. & Paul, R. (2001). Becoming a critic of your thinking. Retrieved June 16, 2009 from

http://www.criticalthinking.org/page.cfm?PageID=478&CategoryID=68

Elder, L. & Paul, R. (2002). How to improve student learning: 30 practical ideas. Dillon Beach, CA: The Foundation of Critical Thinking.

Fellows of the foundation for critical thinking: Dr. linda elder. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2009 from http://www.criticalthinking.org/ABOUT/Fellow_Linda_Elder.cfm

Fellows of the foundation for critical thinking: Dr. richard paul. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2009 from http://www.criticalthinking.org/ABOUT/Fellow_Richard_Paul.cfm

Hoffman, S., John, E., Sellards, J. (2006) I don’t feel like Dancin’ [Recorder by Scissor Sisters]. On Tah-Dah [iTunes download]. London: Polydor.

Letterman, D. (Speaker). (n.d.). I have here a copy of tonight’s top 10 list (wav file). Retrieved June 20, 2009 from http://resources.bravenet.com/audio_clips/movies_tv/

Wetzel, D.R. (2008). 10 math teaching tips for elementary school. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from http://teachertipstraining.suite101.com/article.cfm/ 10_math_teaching_tips_for_elementary_school#ixzz0JB6ZEgVj&C

Critical Thinking Book Review

Education

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