1. Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
Clinic Sessions – Understanding the Rationale
for the Elements of 21st Century Curriculum
Cheryl Lemke
Metiri Group

2. Critical Thinking & Problem Solving
TODAY
What is it?
Why is it important?
TOMORROW
How can you develop it in students, teachers, administrators, community?

3. 1
The WHY…

4. Shifts in Medical Services
Then
Now

5. Critical Thinking: The Why…

6. Bertrand Russell

7. Think USA ESP vs Evolution Astrology vs Astronomy
Chiropractors vs Orthopaedic

8. Recent Election Issues
Increase in property taxes
Construction of a canal to divert water
Mandatory AIDS testing for criminals
Rent control ordinance
Plus vote for elected officials

9. Economic Success
Innovation
Knowledge
Worker
Business
Climate

10. % of Skilled Workers in Workforce
United States
85%
United States
20%
1950
2000

11. Global Competition

12. Source: Microsoft

13. THEN NOW Managers Leaders Follow rules
Think, solve problems, deal with ambiguity
Punch time clock
Compete
Communicate F2F mostly with text
Degree = career
Get the job done ~ 24/7
Team/Collaborate
Communicate F2F and virtually, using multimedia
Degree = interview

14. U.S. 24th in Problem Solving by 15 year-olds

15. Question #1:
Americans routinely score higher than comparable test takers from other countries in international comparisons of academic and thinking skills.
False

16. Thinking and Reasoning Skills2
Thinking and Reasoning Skills

17. Problem Solving Class

18. What is intelligence? Intelligence Neural Intelligence Experiential
Fields
Situations
Contexts
Tools
Techniques
Intelligence
Reflective
Intelligence
Dispositions
Challenges
Technical

19. Intelligence
Fixed vs Growth Mindsets

20. Critical Thinking
…the use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome.

21. Can we teach thinking?
Venezuela
CoRT
Odyssey

22. What is intelligence? Intelligence Neural Intelligence Experiential
Fields,
Situations
Contexts
Tools
Techniques
Intelligence
Reflective
Intelligence
Dispositions
Challenges

24. Diane Halpern 3. Which Thinking Skills Will Get You To Your Goal?
Deductive Reasoning
Argument Analysis
Hypothesis Testing
Uses of Probability
Decision Making
Problem Solving
Creative Thinking
Challenges
1.What is the Goal?
2. What is Known?
Dispositions
Success
Yes No
4. Have You Reached Your Goal?
Reflection

25. Revised Bloom’s Taxonomy
Anderson and Krathwohl (2001)

26. Vertical vs Lateral Thinking
Acting on an anonymous phone call, the police raid a house to arrest a suspected murderer. They don't know what he looks like but they know his name is John and that he is inside the house.
The police bust in on a carpenter, a lorry driver, a mechanic and a fireman all playing poker. Without hesitation or communication of any kind, they immediately arrest the fireman. How do they know they've got their man?

27. Argument Analysis
Tavis Smiley and Guest show on TAAS

28. Edward deBono: CoRT PMI (Plus Minus Interesting)
CAF (Consider All Factors)
OPV (Other Points of View)

29. Question… Fact: The safest vehicle color is school bus yellow.
Question: Should the U.S. mandate that all vehicles be SB Yellow?
PMI (Plus Minus Interesting)

30. Is the Hot Hand Phenomenon REAL?
SSSSMM
b. SMSMMS

32. You Decide…
Has she convinced you to stop buying items produced in sweatshops?
What other options might you consider to impact this situation?

33. Diane Halpern 3. Which Thinking Skills Will Get You To Your Goal?
Deductive Reasoning
Argument Analysis
Hypothesis Testing
Uses of Probability
Decision Making
Problem Solving
Creative Thinking
Challenges
1.What is the Goal?
2. What is Known?
Dispositions
Success
Yes No
4. Have You Reached Your Goal?
Reflection

34. Critical Thinking: The What…

36. What is intelligence? Intelligence Neural Intelligence
3: Tool Realms
4: Technical Realms
Neural
Intelligence
Tools, techniques
Experiential
Intelligence
5: Field Realms
6: Situational Realms
7: Contextual Realms
Intelligence
Reflective
Intelligence
1: Dispositional Realms
2: Challenge Realms

37. The Ladder of Generality
David Perkins - Outsmarting IQ
1: Dispositional Realms (attention, aware, clear, sound, deep, curious, etc.)
2: Challenge Realms (explanation, design, decision making, plan, etc.)
3: Tool Realms (brainstorming, pro-con lists, concept maps, organizers, etc.)
4: Technical Realms (deduction, systems thinking, game theory, stats, etc.)
5: Field Realms (law, business, social sciences mathematics, history, arts, etc.)
6: Situational Realms (purchase decisions, conflict resolution, managing emotions)
7: Contextual Realms (career choices, used car buying, treaty negotiations)