Think of a time where you were faced with using critical
thinking skills to make an important decision. How did you
break down the decision? Did you use any of the steps outlined
in the "Critical Thinking Standards"?
What was the eventual outcome of your decision?
A time where I was faced with using critical thinking skills
to make an important decision was in F.3, when I had to choose
between the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme and
the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education.
Firstly, I did research on both curricula. I read booklets
distributed to me by the school, and also online forums and
websites of different schools to learn about the
characteristics of both programmes. I also consulted my
teachers and asked them for advice. This meets the critical
thinking standard of “clarity”.
I made sure that the information I got was accurate and from
reliable sources. The websites I visited were of different
prestigious schools from all over the world, and the teachers
I consulted were experienced and familiar with the programmes.
Also, the netizens who participated in the forum were all
speaking from experience. This meets the critical thinking
standard of “accuracy”.
Then, I went online and searched for the scores and admission
results of SPCC IBDP and HKDSE graduates. I hope to go study
medicine at a Hong Kong university, so my focus was mainly on
how many graduates from each stream get admitted into Hong
Kong university medical programmes. This meets the standard of
“precision”, as the information was detailly presented in
exact data.
The research I did was on the characteristics of the HKDSE and
IBDP and the admission results of students who took each
curriculum, as I felt that it would help me find out which
mode of learning would suit me the most and if it could help
me pursue my dream, which I think are important things to
consider. As this is connected to the question, and I am
taking into account the most significant factors, this meets
the standard of “relevance” and “depth”.
After that, I looked at things from the point of view of my
future self. Sen Patrick Flanery once said, “Do something
today that your future self will thank you for.” If I picked
the HKDSE or the IBDP, where would my future self be? What
would she think of my decision? Would she thank me? And would
she approve of my choice and why I picked it? This meets the
standard of “breadth”, as I have considered the problem from
the perspective of my future self.
After considering so many things, I drew the conclusion that I
was going to opt for the HKDSE programme. Before handing in
the form to confirm my decision, I reflected on how logical my
consideration was. I thought about how the examinations were
conducted, how information was going to be taught, how the
diploma was going to help me on further education and if it
really was the best fit for me. As my conclusion is based on
how suitable the exam and teaching mode is for me, it meets
the standard of “logical” and “fairness”.
I picked the HKDSE, and I’ve never been happier.