1. Introduction to Critical and Creative Thinking

2. Critical and Creative Thinking
What is it?
How do I accomplish it?

3. What is Critical Thinking?
CRITICAL THINKING is the active and
systematic process of
Communication
Problem-solving
Evaluation
Analysis
Synthesis
Reflection
both individually and in community to
Foster understanding
Support sound decision-making and
Guide action

4. Why is critical thinking important to students?
Critical thinking is critical to employers
Can you analyze situations?
Can you solve problems?
Can you communicate your position logically?
Can you make good decisions (based on data and logic, not emotions or feelings)?

5. Why is critical thinking important to society?
Failures in critical thinking are disastrous
Space Shuttles Challenger & Columbia disasters
9/11 Terrorist Attacks—NY World Trade Center & Pentagon
Iraqi WMD National Intelligence Estimate—led to Iraq War
Poor levee construction in New Orleans
BP deepwater drilling safety procedures

6. Why is critical thinking important to student learning?
College-level learning is deeper than memorizing facts:
Science – analyzing results of experiments in light of existing theories
Math – selecting appropriate problem-solving strategies
Humanities – putting literature and art into historical context
Health fields – evaluating patients and making decisions in clinical settings
Communications – debate; persuasive writing
Criminal justice/fire science – reacting correctly to simulations
Political science/sociology – analyzing others’ points of view

7. Common Human Analytic Traits
Start with conclusions (convergent thinking)
Favor own intuitive solutions
Take mental shortcuts (satisfice--take 1st acceptable solution)
Confuse discussion with analysis
Rely too much on biases and bad assumptions
Support solutions and evidence that reinforce our beliefs—and reject other solutions and evidence
Make decisions based on emotions and not reasoning
Most humans are functionally illiterate when it comes to complex analysis!

8. Non-Critical Thinking Characteristics
Fun
Exciting
Feels good
Attention-getting
Popular
Patriotic
Free
Chic
Spontaneous
Advantageous
Easy
Beneficial to me
Deeply moving/felt
Overcoming these poor thinking
characteristics is a significant challenge!

9. Thinking is NOT Created Equally
Poor Thinking
Aimless
Emotionally Driven
Dogmatic
Undisciplined
Majority of people
Where we want you
Quality Thinking
Accomplishes a Goal
Seeks Truth
Judicious (Critical)
Generative (Creative)

10. Fundamental & Powerful Concept: Critical Thinking
State (define): Critical thinking is thinking about your thinking, while you’re thinking, in order to achieve better thinking (Paul & Elder, 2006).
Elaborate: Critical thinking is reflective, involves standards, is authentic and involves being reasonable (Nosich, 2012, pp. 3-4).
Exemplify: When a medical doctor examines a patient and conducts medical tests, the process is active and systematic and results in a correct diagnosis. When a person wagers on a horse race based on their opinion about the horse’s name—it is not critical thinking.
Illustrate: Critical thinking is like a pair of binoculars—they allow you to get up close, explore details, put what you see in context and understand more of what you are seeing (Nosich, 2012, p. 34).

11. What is Creative Thinking?
Creative thinking differs from critical thinking in this it is expansive, focusing on producing unique solutions (i.e., new alternatives)
Creative thinking requires you to temporarily suspend what you might know about a question or problem to gain different perspectives.

12. Source: Paul & Elder, Foundation for Critical Thinking

13. Good Luck in Your Critical Thinking
Reference List (to learn more):
Nosich, G. (2012). Learning to Think Things Through, A guide to Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Paul, R. and L. Elder. (2006). Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life (2nd ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.