Critical Thinking
Democratic Vistas:
Pedagogy
Greg Hatzis & Lois Libby
What is “Critical Thinking?”
The thoughts of others…
Critical thinking is purposeful and reflective judgment
about what to believe or what to do in response to
observations, experience, verbal or written expressions,
or arguments. (Wikipedia)
Critical thinking - is exploring questions about and
solutions for issues which are not clearly defined and for
which there are no clear-cut answers. (American
Accounting Association)
What is “Critical Thinking?”
The thoughts of others…
Critical thinking can be defined as a process of
evaluating facts in their exact arrangement and
proportion in order to understand the certainty of our
opinions or interpretations. (Washington State’s English
College Readiness Definitions)
Within the framework of skepticism, critical thinking is
synonymous with informal logic. (Postmodern terms –
www.thebookman-wordpress.com
What is “Critical Thinking?”
Take 5 minutes to reflect and write a definition
that makes sense to you.
In groups of 3-4, compare definitions and list the
most salient concepts.
Your thoughts….
Your thoughts….
What is “Critical Thinking”
in a history classroom?
1. Includes the knowledge of facts, dates, names,
places, events, and ideas.
2. It must also include a demonstration of a true
understanding of what is being taught.
Source: National Center for History in
the Schools
What is “Understanding?”
What does a student do who really “understands”
something?
Understanding is more than
“knowledge”
Understanding is
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Knowing why
Using knowledge wisely
Making sense of new facts
USING KNOWLEDGE IN NEW WAYS
(Transfer of Knowledge)
Source: Understanding by Design – Wiggins/McTigue
Demonstrating critical thinking
means going deeper, or…
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Raising new questions
Crafting an argument
Gathering evidence to support an answer/position
–
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Identifying the significance something
Taking context into account
Considering alternative accounts
–
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Examining documents, journals, diaries, artifacts, sites, art,
quantitative data
Comparing, contrasting, cross-referencing
Making connections to one’s own life
Analyzing, Applying, Synthesizing, Evaluating
A simple definition….
Students will use knowledge in new ways to
create something
UNIQUE
and
ONE’S OWN
Apparent Understanding vs.
Genuine Understanding
Fostering Critical Thinking
Learner centered instruction:
Problem Solving
and
Inquiry
Problem Solving
Inquiry
What it looks like
Students are provided
information and
resources with which
they must answer a
question.
Students build their own
base of knowledge in
order to answer a
question.
What some call it
“Guided Discovery”
“Constructivism”
Problem Solving
Process
Inquiry
Absorb information
Acquire information
Use info
Use info
Answer Question
Answer Question
Problem Solving
Inquiry
Challenges
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Where do I find the
information to
provide?
How much information
do I provide?
What are reliable
sources?
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How do I teach them
to find useful
information?
How do I teach kids to
make the proper
choices about
information?
Looking at your curriculum doc

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When was the last time you looked at it?
What are the headings?
What do these categories suggest in terms of
what is valued?
Where, if at all, is “critical thinking” reflected in
your document?
Where is critical thinking reflected in your
classroom?
Re-introducing, Mr. Bloom
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Knowledge
Comprehension
Application
Analysis
Synthesis
Evaluation
Where critical thinking
lives….