Why Critical Thinking? · 2018-11-26 · Why Critical Thinking? Excellence in thought, however,...
Transcript of Why Critical Thinking? · 2018-11-26 · Why Critical Thinking? Excellence in thought, however,...
Biblical Foundation For CURRICULUM
Everyone thinks; it is our
nature to do so. But much
of our thinking, left to itself,
is biased, distorted, partial,
uninformed, or down-right
prejudiced.
Why Critical Thinking?
Yet the quality of our life
and that of what we produce,
make, or build depends
precisely on the quality of
our thought.
Shoddy thinking is costly,
both in money and in
quality of life.
Why Critical Thinking?
Why Critical Thinking?
Excellence in thought,
however, must be
systematically cultivated.
The Miniature Guide to CriticalThinking: Concepts and Tools
By R. Paul and L. Elder
What is Critical Thinking?
Critical thinking is that mode
of thinking – about any
subject, content, or problem
– in which the thinker
improves the quality of his or
her thinking…
What is Critical Thinking?
…by skillfully taking charge
of the structure inherent in
thinking and imposing
intellectual standards upon
them.
p. 1
Critical Thinking Is:
_______-directed
_______-disciplined
_______-monitored
_______-corrective
Elements of Thought
Elementsof
Thought
Purposeof theThinking
Issue
Information
InferenceConcepts
Assumptions
Implications
Points ofView
Intellectual Standards
Accuracy
Precision
Relevance
Depth
Breadth
Logic
Significance
Fairness
Clarity
Egocentric Thinking
The problem:
•…we humans do notnaturally consider the rightsand needs of others
•…we live with the … sensethat we have fundamentallyfigured out the way thingsactually are
Egocentric Thinking
“As humans we live with theunrealistic but confidentsense that we havefundamentally figured out theway things are, and that wehave done this objectively.We naturally believe in ourintuitive perceptions---however inaccurate.” p.11
The Biblical View / Need
Rooted in fallen nature
In need of renewing
Disciplines are broken
• In need of correction
Completion
Rejection
Intellectual Traits
Humility
Courage
Empathy
Autonomy
Integrity
Perseverance
Confidence
Fairmindedness
The Goal
“Critical thinkers routinelyapply the intellectualstandards to the elements ofreasoning in order to developintellectual traits.” p.18
Intellectual Traits
Humility
Courage
Empathy
Autonomy
Integrity
Perseverance
Confidence
Fairmindedness
Biblical Foundation For CURRICULUM
Critical Thinking Skills
What skills do you want yourstudents to possess?
Resource
Critical Thinking Handbook:K-3rd Grade by Paul, Binkerand Weil.
Foundation for Critical Thinking
Role of Teacher
Encourage students to findpersonal answers throughself-reflected experiences
and thought processes
p. 38
Role of Teacher
Ask Questions in order to clarify:
•How does the student’sthinking conflict with otherpoints of view?
•How did the student come toform this point of view?
Role of Teacher
• Where does the student’spoint take us, what followsfrom it?
•Can the student support hisor her view with reasons orevidence?
Sources for Belief
Personal (operational)
versus
Didactic (instructional)
Examples of Skills
Our children begin to…
think for themselves
appreciate the point of viewof others
question what the peergroups says and speak upfor what they believe
Examples of Skills
Our children begin to…
question as they read
discover when it makessense to believe what theyhear
discuss differences in amore reasoned way
discover standards formeasuring or judging things
Integration Task
When starting with a list of
critical thinking skills, these
skills, like all other aspects of
the curriculum, must and can
be integrated.
Integrated Skills
I should not only seek toknow the truth, but I willseek to act consistently withwhat I say and believe.
Justin McCaslin
CIU grad student
Integrated Skills
I should strive to becomewell-informed in every kind oflearning, but I should resolveto filter all my learningthrough God’s truth
Justin McCaslin
CIU grad student
Integrated Skills
I should analyze theinformation and ideas thatare presented to me. I shouldalways ask myself, “What isthe worldview at the center ofthis idea?”
Justin McCaslin
CIU grad student
Integrated Skills
Have the courage to look atdifferent beliefs, theories,principles, etc, in order toanalyze, evaluate, and bettertake a stand for a Christianworldview.
Carole Steedman
CIU grad student
Integrated Skills
Connect God’s word andsubject disciplines, connectwhat is being learned withGod’s word, based on thepremise that all truth is God’struth.
Carole Steedman
CIU grad student
Integrated Skills
Evaluate the credibility ofsources of informationagainst Scripture. Considereverything you read, seeand hear.
Carole Steedman
CIU grad student
Integrated Skills
I should remember that God’sthoughts are higher than myown. Therefore, I should notarrogantly rely on only myown understanding.
Justin McCaslin
CIU grad student
Developing from Scripture1. Matt 15:8
2. 1 Cor. 9:22
3. Colossians 2:8
4. 1 Peter 3:15
5. Acts 4:13
6. 1 Tim. 1:3-7
1. Proverbs 3:5-6
2. Proverbs 4:1-2
3. Proverbs 18:17
4. Matthew 7:24
5. 1 Cor. 16:13
6. Daniel 1:4, 8
From Biblical Example
Jesus
Paul
Daniel
Peter
____________
____________
____________
In Practice
The structure of the discipline
*Biblical Integration
Current Events and editorials
Children’s Literature
The Media (use clips)