simple
10 ^ Ways to Help Students…
Think Critically
10. Trust me, I’m a Doctor.
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9. Think out loud.
Can you see where we're headed with this?
I can't think of other explanations; can you?
This idea/principle struck me as difficult or confusing at first, but here's how I figured it out.
You can encourage students to emulate this type of thinking by using these questions in demonstrations. Also, ask
students to "think out loud" in order for classmates to observe how they reason through a problem.
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8. Socrates
Socratic questioning encourages students to develop and clarify their thinking.
Would your answer hold in all cases?
How would you respond to a counter-example or counter-argument?
Explain how you arrived at that answer.
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7. S.W.O.T
SWOT analysis is a strategic planning method used to evaluate the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats
involved in a project or situation. It can be a relatively quick and comprehensive - and sometimes fun - way to assess
something. It encourages students to see different 'sides' of a situation.
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6. S.M.A.R.T
Set objectives which are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timed.
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5. Mad Men
Look at advertisements (commercials, print ads in magazines or newspapers even pop up advertisements on the web).
Have students identify the various persuasion techniques used and then determine whether or not the advertisement is
actually logical.
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4. Chapter Logic
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3. There’s an app for that!
Download the app for your iPhone and iPod: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/critical-thinkinguniversity/id423986330?mt=8
The ‘Think-O-Meter’ app challenges your thinking and helps you develop a Sherlock Holmes-like attention to the
evidence at hand. Think through dozens of scenarios and test your ability to separate reliable facts from assumptions,
focus on the relevant information, and think critically to get the right answer.
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2. Brainstorm
Have students brainstorm ideas before starting a piece of work. Have students show drafts of work in progress to other
students. Establish a setting that welcomes corrections, suggestions and constructive criticism. Entertain challenge.
Embrace change. Encourage diversity.
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1. Ask the right questions.
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Sources and Resources
How To Promote Critical Thinking In Your Classroom
Promoting Thinking, November, 2006, by The Critical Thinking Co.™ Staff
http://www.criticalthinking.com/company/articles/promoting-thinking.jsp
http://critical-thinkers.com/2011/03/critical-thinking-theres-an-app-for-that/
http://critical-thinkers.com/2010/05/have-5-minutes-you-can-practice-critical-thinking/
http://www.rogerdarlington.co.uk/thinking.html
http://www.google.com/images?q=critical+thinking&um=1&hl=en&tbs=isch:1&ei=wCSTTdq3NM6TtwfBv9Rg&sa=N&sta
rt=260&ndsp=20