Scratch Your Brain: Novel Ways to Interest Students in Critical Thinking

Objectives Briefly discuss definitions of “critical thinking.” Consider arguments and critical thinking. Consider characteristics of critical thinkers. Explore some novel critical thinking exercises. Discuss ways to use resources in teaching. Briefly discuss definitions of “critical thinking.” Consider arguments and critical thinking. Consider characteristics of critical thinkers. Explore some novel critical thinking exercises. Discuss ways to use resources in teaching.

Definition What is YOUR definition of critical thinking ? What is YOUR definition of critical thinking ?

Common Definitions Thinking “outside” the box “Unlimited” thinking Divergent thinking Thinking “outside” the box “Unlimited” thinking Divergent thinking

Another Definition “ The intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. ” The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987 “ The intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating information. ” The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, 1987

Another Definition “ Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it. ” The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts And Tools, 5 ed. “ Critical thinking is the art of analyzing and evaluating thinking with a view to improving it. ” The Miniature Guide to Critical Thinking: Concepts And Tools, 5 ed.

Quote – Henry Ford Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably why so few engage in it.

Arguments Inductive Reasoning Deductive Reasoning Syllogism – major premise, minor premise, conclusion Humans are mortal Greeks are human Therefore, Greeks are mortal Inductive Reasoning Deductive Reasoning Syllogism – major premise, minor premise, conclusion Humans are mortal Greeks are human Therefore, Greeks are mortal

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Make Your Argument Monty Python: Argument Clinic CqjzbvJY&playnext=1&list=PL8263C81 EE53E94FA Monty Python: Argument Clinic CqjzbvJY&playnext=1&list=PL8263C81 EE53E94FA

Visual Argument p0WWfEadg&NR=1&feature=fvwp p0WWfEadg&NR=1&feature=fvwp p0WWfEadg&NR=1&feature=fvwp p0WWfEadg&NR=1&feature=fvwp

Critical thinking is... Self-disciplined Self-monitored Self-corrective thinking Self-disciplined Self-monitored Self-corrective thinking

Thinking Critically Means … Examining different viewpoints Learn to think from different perspectives Examining different viewpoints Learn to think from different perspectives

Young girl? or Old woman?

Man playing horn? or Woman’s silhouette?

A Native American face? or An Eskimo’s back?

What/Who Doesn’t Belong? And Why? whale, shark, zebra camera, photographer, pilot Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Rick Perry Aristotle, Plato, Frank Fair Monet, Renoir, Einstein Copland, Mozart, Bach De Castro, Muehsam, Harman whale, shark, zebra camera, photographer, pilot Sigmund Freud, Erik Erikson, Rick Perry Aristotle, Plato, Frank Fair Monet, Renoir, Einstein Copland, Mozart, Bach De Castro, Muehsam, Harman

What Do They Have in Common? Aristotle, Plato, Frank Fair Milton Friedman, Robert Solow, Carl Menger Zimbardo, Bandura, Milgrim Door-in the face, foot-in-the-door, low- ball Vera Wang, Sarah Burton, Carolina Herrera Aristotle, Plato, Frank Fair Milton Friedman, Robert Solow, Carl Menger Zimbardo, Bandura, Milgrim Door-in the face, foot-in-the-door, low- ball Vera Wang, Sarah Burton, Carolina Herrera

The Camels An Arab sheik tells his two sons to race their camels to a distant city to see who will inherit his fortune. The one whose camel is slower will win. The brothers, after wandering aimlessly for days, ask a wise man for advice. After hearing the advice, they jump on the camels and race as fast as they can to the city. What does the wise man say?

The Wise Man Says… Switch camels.

Train Wreck One train leaves from NYC heading towards LA at 100 mph. Three hours later, a train leaves from LA heading towards NYC at 200 mph. Assume there’s exactly 2000 miles between LA and NYC. When they meet, which train is closer to NYC?

When they meet… they’re both at the same spot, so they are both the same distance from NYC.

Going to St. Ives As I was going to St. Ives I met a man with seven wives. Each wife had seven sacks. Each sack had seven cats. Each cat had seven kits. Kits, cats, sacks, and wives, how many were going to St. Ives?

Some months have 31 days; how many have 28? How many outs are in an inning? There are 3 apples and you take away 2. How many do you have? Some months have 31 days; how many have 28? How many outs are in an inning? There are 3 apples and you take away 2. How many do you have?

Common Phrases DECISION ANOTHERONE DECISION ANOTHERONE

Common Word

A duck, a goose, a goat, and a horse all entered the barn at different times one day last week. 1) A mammal entered the barn first. 2) The duck entered before the goose. 3) The goose entered ahead of the horse. Who entered the barn first? A duck, a goose, a goat, and a horse all entered the barn at different times one day last week. 1) A mammal entered the barn first. 2) The duck entered before the goose. 3) The goose entered ahead of the horse. Who entered the barn first?

Common Phrases CHIEDITOREF T 2222 CHIEDITOREF T 2222

Word Fun Determine both one-word answers. The floor of ship or boat, They walk on me at sea; Where there’s a C, make it an S, At school you sit on me.

What Economic Phrases? advantage demchangeand advantage demchangeand

History Terms? ISM

Poetry Terms? coo

+ t + + sr Phrase

Fun Theory tch?v=2lXh2n0aPyw h?v=cbEKAwCoCKw&NR=1

Discuss How might you use some of these ideas in your classroom? Could students use critical thinking in generating critical thinking activities to share with the class? How might you use some of these ideas in your classroom? Could students use critical thinking in generating critical thinking activities to share with the class?

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