Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, and Learning Development

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Critical thinking and problem solving are skills required to increase the growth in children’s learning and development, especially if our goal is to prepare a community of effective life-long learners. Researchers find that the definitions of each of these skills vary among the education community, but the necessity of student acquisition of these skills is demanded in the learning process. Critical thinking and problem solving offer an extensive, fundamental skill to the educating of children. This skill set is necessary for student understanding, development, and learning. It has been found that the internalization and automatic use of these skills would greatly increase student opportunity as future learners provide insight of understanding of concepts and provide an alternative way of thinking to a demanding world of self-monitoring, reflecting, and knowing. If these skills are necessary, we ask, why is it that all students don’t have them? In my paper, I will define critical thinking and problem solving. Then I will elaborate on the necessity of teachers teaching students critical thinking and problem solving. I will conclude with the importance of these skills as it pertains to the development of student learning and effectiveness of student performance. Provided are the three working definitions of critical thinking and problem solving. In 2008, Sezer’s research defined critical thinking as, “the evaluation and reflecting of what you know to be true” (p. 349). Later McCollister and Sayler (2010) defined it as, “carefully analyzing the way we think, with the purpose of improving it” (p. 41). The definition for problem solving will stand alone and is simply stated by Martinez (2006) as “problem solving is what y... ... middle of paper ... ... K., & Sayler, M.. (2010, January). Lift the Ceiling: Increase Rigor With Critical Thinking Skills. Gifted Child Today, 33(1), 41-47. Retrieved 23 Nov. 2015, from Education Periodicals. (Document ID: 1950190601). Sezer, R. (2008). Integration Of Critical Thinking Skills Into Elementary School Teacher Education Courses In Mathematics. Education, 128(3), 349-362. Retrieved 21 Nov. 2015, from Education Periodicals. (Document ID: 1460776461). Shure. M. (2006, April). Helping Children Solve Problems. Scholastic Early Childhood Today, 20(6), 10-11. Retrieved 23 Nov. 2015, from Education Periodicals. (Document ID: 1013090421). Zemelman, S., Daniels, H. & Hyde, A. (2005). Best Practice Todays's Standards for Teaching & Learning in America's Schools Third Edition. In H. D. Steven Zemelman, The Principles of Best Practice Learning (p.7-22). Portsmouth: Heinemann.

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