Western Education and Critical Thinking
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Many students who come from countries outside of the
West have difficulty understanding Western education.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Many students who come from countries outside of the
West have difficulty understanding Western education.
Western students don’t do a lot of memorizing
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Many students who come from countries outside of the
West have difficulty understanding Western education.
Western students don’t do a lot of memorizing
Western students can disagree with professors
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Many students who come from countries outside of the
West have difficulty understanding Western education.
Western students don’t do a lot of memorizing
Western students can disagree with professors
Western students are required to use critical thinking
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Education is different in their home countries:
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Education is different in their home countries:
There is more of an emphasis on memorization
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Education is different in their home countries:
There is more of an emphasis on memorization
Students respect professors and accept their views
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Education is different in their home countries:
There is more of an emphasis on memorization
Students respect professors and accept their views
The goal is to learn the knowledge of the society, not
to create unusual new ideas
Western Education and Critical Thinking
For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is
considered “Traditional”:
Western Education and Critical Thinking
For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is
considered “Traditional”:
The knowledge base is required for survival
Western Education and Critical Thinking
For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is
considered “Traditional”:
The knowledge base is required for survival
The goal of education is to teach the knowledge base
Western Education and Critical Thinking
For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is
considered “Traditional”:
The knowledge base is required for survival
The goal of education is to teach the knowledge base
Professors are the experts
Western Education and Critical Thinking
For many countries outside of the West, knowledge is
considered “Traditional”:
The knowledge base is required for survival
The goal of education is to teach the knowledge base
Professors are the experts.
Students are not qualified to create knowledge
Western Education and Critical Thinking
In traditional education, knowledge is seen as a treasure
and resource that must be protected for the survival of
society.
Knowledge has been developed over time and
development of new knowledge is a task for experts.
The task of students is to learn the knowledge.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Western education is not better than traditional
education. It is just different.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Why is the western view of knowledge so different?
Most people in the West have come from somewhere
else. They have left behind their traditional cultures.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
While most countries see the learning of the nation’s
knowledge as the most important goal of education, the
West uses knowledge like a tool rather than a goal.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
The West does not see the value of knowledge in the
same way as traditional societies do.
For those in the West, knowledge is important only for
what it can do – Help to develop more knowledge.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
The West does not see the value of knowledge in the
same way as traditional societies do.
For those in the West, knowledge is important only for
what it can do – Help to develop more knowledge.
Knowledge is important only if it is useful.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
The most important goals of Western education:
Western Education and Critical Thinking
The most important goals of Western education:
Learning how to use the knowledge we have to
create new knowledge
Western Education and Critical Thinking
The most important goals of Western education:
Learning how to use the knowledge we have to
create new knowledge
Learning how to evaluate our knowledge for quality
and relevance
Western Education and Critical Thinking
In Western education, there are facts to be learned, but
the main emphasis is on solving problems with what we
know:
Western Education and Critical Thinking
In Western education, there are facts to be learned, but
the main emphasis is on solving problems with what we
know:
Students ask questions and identify issues to resolve
Western Education and Critical Thinking
In Western education, there are facts to be learned, but
the main emphasis is on solving problems with what we
know:
Students ask questions and identify issues to resolve
Often there is no one clear answer. Students must
evaluate evidence and decide for themselves.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
For Western education, critical thinking is very
important.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
What is the definition of critical thinking?
Western Education and Critical Thinking
What is the definition of critical thinking?
Critical thinking is problem-solving using evidence
Western Education and Critical Thinking
What is the definition of critical thinking?
Critical thinking is problem-solving using evidence
Critical thinking requires that you ask questions
Western Education and Critical Thinking
What is the definition of critical thinking?
Critical thinking is problem-solving using evidence
Critical thinking requires that you ask questions
Critical thinking requires you to evaluate points of
view
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Here is an example: Most scientists today believe that
climate change is due mostly to human activity. A few
scientists say that climate change is not caused by
human activity but is due to the cycles of nature itself.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
How would critical thinking deal with this problem?
Western Education and Critical Thinking
How would critical thinking deal with this problem?
First, identify the problem with a question: Is climate
change caused by human or by natural activity?
Western Education and Critical Thinking
How would critical thinking deal with this problem?
First, identify the problem with a question: Is climate
change caused by human or by natural activity?
Second, gather evidence from both sides of the issue
Western Education and Critical Thinking
How would critical thinking deal with this problem?
First, identify the problem with a question: Is climate
change caused by human or by natural activity?
Second, gather evidence from both sides of the issue
Third, evaluate the evidence
Western Education and Critical Thinking
How would critical thinking deal with this problem?
First, identify the problem with a question: Is climate
change caused by human or by natural activity?
Second, gather evidence from both sides of the issue
Third, evaluate the evidence
Fourth, make a decision based on the best evidence
Western Education and Critical Thinking
With critical thinking, you might ask what your professor
believes, but you don’t have to accept your professor’s
position on the issue.
Most professors want you to present good evidence for
your position, even if it disagrees with the professor.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
The Differences:
Traditional education emphasizes preserving and
learning the knowledge base.
Western education emphasizes using information as a
tool to solve problems and advance knowledge. Critical
thinking is very important.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
We should not misunderstand critical thinking.
Western Education and Critical Thinking
We should not misunderstand critical thinking.
It is not thinking that criticizes everything:
Western Education and Critical Thinking
We should not misunderstand critical thinking.
It is not thinking that is rude and unkind:
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Critical thinking recognizes that there are many
problems to solve in our world and that not everyone
holds the same viewpoint on a problem or issue:
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Critical thinking recognizes that there are many
problems to solve in our world and that not everyone
holds the same viewpoint on a problem or issue:
Critical thinking means listening to all views
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Critical thinking recognizes that there are many
problems to solve in our world and that not everyone
holds the same viewpoint on a problem or issue:
Critical thinking means listening to all views
It means evaluating evidence carefully
Western Education and Critical Thinking
Critical thinking recognizes that there are many
problems to solve in our world and that not everyone
holds the same viewpoint on a problem or issue:
Critical thinking means listening to all views
It means evaluating evidence carefully
You must, in the end, reach your own conclusion
Western Education and Critical Thinking
A biblical example:
“Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in
Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness
and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said
was true.”
Acts 17:11