The Importance Of Critical Thinking

1107 Words3 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: The importance of creative and critical thinking

Improving critical thinking skill is one of the key elements to being a university student. It is important because it provides general knowledge and civic capacity which leads to a higher sense of public values and social responsibilities; all of which can be obtained through a passion for higher education. Teaching critical thinking can help students see outside the box because it evokes imagination and introduces students to a creative space where they can communicate and think innovatively (Hooks, 2010). However, as Giroux states the university is slowing losing its public character when it comes to neoliberalism (Giroux, 2010). Also due to privatizations of humanities, many students are not able to process the skill of critical thinking as …show more content…

A critical understanding in such can often help learning and experience form a social change (Hooks, 2010). It is needed to move away from the neoliberal education, as this model favours privatization and reduces public expenditures on social services and humanities education (Giroux, 2010). In a democratic society, students are actively able to reflect on their own relationship with democracy by themselves (2010). It also enables the point of view of education being apolitical, which can often benefit the society as it is not interested in politics but provides an open door to it (Angus, 2009). It shows that when it comes to politics, higher education prepares students with morals and critical skills to decide what is wrong or right (Neary & Winn, 2009). It can often lead to various unbiased perspectives and theories. Critical thinking in a higher educational level can often encourage students to take risks with new ideas and introduces thoughts and knowledge that may be unfamiliar, it has the potential to introduce new perspectives and provoke social changes (Hooks,

Show More
Related

  • Critical Thinking? You Need Knowledge By Diane Ravitch: Article Analysis

    473 Words  | 1 Pages

    The article, “Critical Thinking? You Need Knowledge” by Diane Ravitch, discusses how in the past people have been deprived from the thinking process and abstract thinking skills. Students need to be given more retainable knowledge by their teachers to improve their critical thinking skills. (Ravitch).

    Read More

  • Analysis Of John Taylor Gatto's Idiot School System

    1148 Words  | 3 Pages

    When students become critical thinkers they are analyzing and reflecting on what they are learning, therefor advancing their skills in problem solving. Problem solving requires one to be able to tackle the problem abstractly from many points of view. Often problems can have more than one solution so it is required to be able to analyze the information and be able to apply it in various ways. In “Idiot Nation” by Michael Moore, he argues that the lack of attention political leaders give to schools in America is one of the biggest factors hindering proper education .Moore puts the blame on leaders like Dwight D. Eisenhower and William Clark, as well as the people who vote for them. The problem is that “the political leaders...have decided it’s a bigger priority to build another bomber than educate our children.”(Moore 131)Moore believes leaders put more effort into military artillery rather than proper education .The solution to America’s problems is not more bombs or weapons. The real solution are the children, the future of America. Therefore it is vital that we turn them into impeccable problem solvers, to solve America’s problems not with weapons but with knowledge. Critical thinking does just that. In an article called “How Critical is Critical Thinking” by Shawn Ryan D he makes references to the various studies of critical thinking and its relation to problem solving.

    Read More

  • Rereading America

    878 Words  | 2 Pages

    Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing written by; Gary Colombo, Robert Cullen, and Bonnie Lisle, Eighth Edition, published April, 2007 by Bedford/St. Martin’s, is a textbook about writing and critical thinking. In the first chapter of Rereading America: Cultural Contexts for Critical Thinking and Writing, “Thinking Critically, Challenging Cultural Myths”, the Authors begin by setting a relatable scene of what it’s like for a college student. How a new found independence can be overwhelming, especially with regards to critical thinking, showing that what we have learned, needs to be re-evaluated and that an open mind in essential. "What Is Critical Thinking" In this section of the chapter the editors explain what it means to be a critical thinker. They explain that critical thinking is not just studying dates and facts, but rather taking those facts and examining them. The editors then proceed by explaining how having an open mind, and taking others' perspectives into account when formulating our own opinions on what the author is trying to say to us is important. A critical thinker takes all aspects into account and reflects on personal experience as well. The editors also point out that different cultural experiences bring different opinions. They suggest that we need to become active learners, continuously questioning the meaning behind everything, testing not only the theories of others but also our own experiences and analyzing the text rather than going for the obvious. They show that thinking outside the box is the epitome of critical thinking. Basically, we need to step outside our comfort zones and what we have always been taught. The editors also suggest that we need to re-evaluate our per...

    Read More

  • Critical Thinking As A Higher Order Skills By Tim Van Gelder

    807 Words  | 2 Pages

    To describe Critical Thinking (CT) as a “Higher-order skill” is to put it mildly. After spending twelve hours reading this week’s assigned articles and a great deal more on the subject of CT, I still feel like a first-grader being asked to solve a calculus equation. To paraphrase Tim van Gelder, learning CT skills is hard and a life-time journey. It is not enough to know the concepts, the student must actively practice CT themselves to improve their understanding (2004). I first became a critical thinker in third grade, after moving to London. As an American child, I had been taught that important history began in 1776, a history measured in hundreds of years. In England I saw a history measured in thousands of years and was taught the opposing

    Read More

  • A Guide to Critical Thinking

    575 Words  | 2 Pages

    The author Vincent Ruggiero defines critical thinking in his book Beyond Feelings: A Guide to Critical Thinking, as a “search for answers, a quest.” It is the idea that one does not accept claims, ideas, and arguments blindly, but questions and researches these things before making a decision on them. From what I learned in class, critical thinking is the concept of accepting that there are other people and cultures in this world that may have different opinions. It is being able to react rationally to these different opinions.

    Read More

  • Public Vs Public Education: Private Vs. Public

    1194 Words  | 3 Pages

    Education is defined as the “discipline that is concerned with methods of teaching and learning in school or school-like environments as opposed to various non-formal and informal means of socialization.”(Encyclopedia Britannica, 2008). If one really looks at education, he or she will realize how broad it actually is. Education extends beyond the notion that it is merely for knowledge alone. It is imperative that one view education in an analytical perspective. Mr. Smith suggests that “we must also ensure that students develop critical thinking skills.” Critical thinking is a definite must ...

    Read More

  • Exploring the Evolution of Social Criticism and Critical Thinking

    1321 Words  | 3 Pages

    It is a source of education and a powerful resource in the life of every individual and in social life. Despite the fact that the identification and analysis of critical thinking skills are beyond the boundaries of a single discipline or subject, the learning and application of these skills require possession of certain knowledge. The value of critical thinking is lost if it is treated as a list of logical operations, and the possession of certain knowledge is regarded simply as a collection of information. The investigation of the relationship of a value judgment and the actual use may lead to a new assessment of the need for common concepts of critical thinking and the possession of certain knowledge in education (Paul,

    Read More

  • Teaching Critical Reflection

    2185 Words  | 5 Pages

    Learning by critical reflection creates new understandings by making conscious the social, political, professional, economic, and ethical assumptions constraining or supporting one’s action in a specific context (Ecclestone 1996; Mackintosh 1998). Critical reflection’s appeal as an adult learning strategy lies in the claim of intellectual growth and improvement in one’s ability to see the need for and effect personal and system change. Reflection can be a learning tool for directing and informing practice, choosing among alternatives in a practice setting, or transforming and reconstructing the social environment (Williamson 1997). Can critical reflection be taught in a classroom? Does the new knowledge created foster change? This Myths and Realities investigates the extent to which critical reflection can be taught to adult learners.

    Read More

  • Personal Growth and Change: A Semester Reflection

    785 Words  | 2 Pages

    While the semester is over and the deadline has expired, I thought I would write this to express my true intended thoughts.

    Read More

  • Critical Thinking: Strategies in Decision Making

    1019 Words  | 3 Pages

    Rudd, R. (2007). Defining critical thinking. Techniques: Connecting Education & Careers, 82(7) 46-49. Retrieved December 9, 2007, from EBSCOhost database.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of The Essay 'Critical Thinking' By Howard 229nnesch

    719 Words  | 2 Pages

    In his essay Critical Thinking: What Is It Good For? (In Fact, What Is It), Howard Gabennesch explains the importance of critical thinking by drawing attention to how its absence is responsible for societies many ills including, but not limited to, the calamity in Vietnam. Yet, at the end of his essay, Gabennesch also mentions that, despite “the societal benefits of critical thinking, at the individual level, uncritical thinking offers social and psychological rewards of its own.”(14). Similarly, it is these rewards that, like the bait on a fishhook, often make individuals hesitant to engage in critical thinking despite the resulting harm to both them and society.

    Read More

  • The Importance of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

    1001 Words  | 3 Pages

    “An Army leader is any one who by virtue of assumed role or assigned responsibility inspires and influences peoples to accomplish organizational goals. She or He motivates people both inside and outside the chain of command to pursue actions, focus thinking, and shape decisions for the greater good of the organization.1” But for him to do that effectively and efficiently , he has to be prepared, shaped and refined. There are few institutions to prepare such leaders and CGSC is one of those institutions which are mandated, organized and equipped to prepare such leaders. In implementing its mandate, CGSC has programmed ILE common core C 100 to provide foundations for effective leadership development. The lessons covered in this block of instructions are important pillars of leadership development and impact on officers differently depending on the fields/specialties and the level of positions held. This paper therefore attempts to discuss the relevance of critical thinking and problem solving, group decision making, overcoming biases, planning and order production lessons on my future assignment as a logistics staff officer.

    Read More

  • The Important Of Critical Thinking: The Importance Of Critical Thinking

    806 Words  | 2 Pages

    Critical thinking is when an individual identifies and evaluates outside sources before making a decision. This is a very important still to learn to become an effective thinker and making educated choices. Critical thinking is fundamental when making choices, from selecting the right answer on multiple choice exams to choosing the right place and time to buy a house. An individual that has learned critical thinking is less expected to make poor choices that could potentially harm him or affect others. In theory this individual could calculate the consequences of his actions. A good critical thinker doesn’t need to memorize huge amounts of information. Instead, he asks questions, is open to alternative solutions, formulates theories,

    Read More

  • Critical Thinking Reflection

    587 Words  | 2 Pages

    Critical thinking is a significant and essential topic in recent education. The strategy of critical thinking skills helps identify areas in one's courses as the suitable place to highlight, expand and use some problems in exams that test students' critical thinking skills.

    Read More

  • A Critical Thinking Of Teaching

    1209 Words  | 3 Pages

    I think that critical thinking is important in ever aspect of education, but I believe it’s utilized more in the field of Social Studies, where the student has to make a decision based upon primary and secondary sources to draw from. An example would be after watching a video over history the students would form an opinion. Though the use of critical thinking questions such as how does the information connect with the knowledge that the class has already learned about the subject, how might the new inform...

    Read More

More about The Importance Of Critical Thinking

Open Document