CRITICAL THINKING

Why critical thinking?• One of the College four core competencies is – Challenging our students to think Critically • This section will give some tools to help our students become better thinkers

• And

• Discuss the Socratic method of questioning

We all think - the question is how well?

How critical thinking occurs1 Identify

Assumptions

2 Check accuracy

and validity

3 take alternative

perspectives

4 Take informed actions

Hierarchy of Cognition

Blooms Hierarchy of Cognition

Evaluation

Synthesis

Analysis

Application

Comprehension

Knowledge

THINKING

Point of viewPurpo

se

Questions at

issue

InformationInterpret

ation and inference

Concepts

Assumptions

Implications and

consequences

Socrates

470 – 399 BC

Examples of Socratic Questions• Clarification• Probe Assumptions• Probe reasons and evidence• Viewpoints and Perspectives• Probe implications and consequences• Questions about the questions

Finally•What can a tutor do to promote critical thinking

References

• The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking, Richard Paul, Ph.D. and Linda Elder, Ph. D. 2008• How tutors can help tutees improve their critical thinking, Suzanne Forster, University of Alaska, Anchorage. • http://www.cpcc.edu/learningcollege/core-competencies/critical-thinking