I make this post amidst concerns that contributions after November 28, 2010 9:23:06 PM would fail to exhibit critical thinking. The power of a statement will have people flocking to this blog, compelling them to contribute and their contributions will make no sense and will be seen as a desperate attempt to gain marks. Well, maybe I want the grading system to reward me- So, here I go..
How do you make critical thinking a part of the formal school curriculum? And if that is done, is there any evidence to support that students will be able to apply critical thinking outside of the curriculum? or should critical thinking be embedded in the hidden curriculum? If so, how do you deal with problems like how do you structure assignments that promote critical thinking? Is critical thinking something that can be tested and rewarded? how can you assess a student's ability to critically thinking?
I think critical thinking is something that as part of a formal curriculum, must be done on a very conscious level.
ReplyDeleteThere is a difference between general development of thinking skills via academia, and incorporating critical thinking.
If critical thinking is explained well, and students learn to apply it to hypothetical situations, I don't see any reason why they would not be able to apply it, with time, to their lives outside of the curriculum.(should they choose to of course). I don't think that "hidden critical thinking" can work, because the whole point of critical thinking is AWARENESS.
I suppose teachers could simulate situations, create certain variables,goals, challenges, tools etc. and see how the students deals with that situation using critical thinking. For example, the situation might include choices that have to be made, using critical thinking, and weighing out options and their implications; the possibilities of construction of situations are endless, if the course is incorporated within the school curriculum.
PS: Tooba I get how you feel about the necessity to write in the blog. I myself decided to read entries everyday, and only comment or raise a question when I have something of worth to say, rather than blabbering for marks.
Its really funny how i see that people just for the sake of marks are all over the blog. But its always good to see people who really seem connected with 'relevance' here as quantity really does not matter but QUALITY does. (:
ReplyDeleteWell, i kind of agree with rachel, that it entirely depends on how the students are trained to think critically.
& Yes obviously Critical thinking as 'skill' could be tested. One can easily get to know about the person's (student's) capability of critical thinking, in many ways, via their writing, speaking, communicating, ability to answer questions or ability to grasp things in the learning process.
Regards,
Hifzaa
Tooba, I think the only way you can even begin to think about 'critical thinking' in schools is by first getting teachers who know what critical thinking is. Just like teachers teach you about their subjects like Maths, Science etc, in the same way critical thinking can be taught. I'm not saying that it should necessarily be taught as a separate subject, instead, you either employ teachers who are critical thinkers, or send your teachers on courses which teach about critical thinking. Good schools regularly send their teachers for training, so that they can learn the best methods of teaching, learning to critically think can also be included in that kind of training.
ReplyDeleteOnce the teachers grasp what critical thinking is all about, then they could introduce it into the classroom by subtly asking their students to critically think in whatever tasks they are set. If you think about it, students can be asked to use critical thinking in any subject that is currently taught in school. So it's not necessary to make 'critical thinking' a very overt kind of thing in schools, or to introduce it into the curriculum per se. Just start it with the teachers, the students will automatically become critical thinkers too.
I'm sure everyone knows the influence of teachers in our society as children go from school to tuitions all day long, so everywhere they have teachers whom they have to listen to and follow.
So it's from the teachers that critical thinking in schools should start, in my opinion.