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
How critical thinking occurs
1 Identify
Assumptions
4 Take
informed
actions
2 Check
accuracy and
validity
3 take
alternative
perspectives
Hierarchy of Cognition
Blooms
Hierarchy of
Cognition
Evaluation
Synthesis
Analysis
Application
Comprehension
Knowledge
THINKING
Point of view
Implications
and
consequences
Purpose
Questions at
issue
Assumptions
Concepts
Information
Interpretation
and inference
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/criticalthinking