1. Critical Thinking Skills Academic Support Unit Adapted from: Practicing College Learning Strategies 3 rd edition Carolyn H. Hopper

2. Introduction Aside form food, water and shelter, education is the most need in life. Aside form food, water and shelter, education is the most need in life. Education is not memorization of facts. Education is not memorization of facts. Memorizing facts is not bad, but when takes precedence over problem solving, logic, and reason, students suffer. Memorizing facts is not bad, but when takes precedence over problem solving, logic, and reason, students suffer. Critical thinking skills encourage students to think for themselves, to question hypothesis, & to develop alternatives. Critical thinking skills encourage students to think for themselves, to question hypothesis, & to develop alternatives.

3. Critical Thinking Critical Thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding on what to believe or do. Critical Thinking is reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding on what to believe or do. Thinking Critically is: “carefully examining our thinking.” Thinking Critically is: “carefully examining our thinking.” Critical Thinking consists of mental processes of: discernment, analysis and evaluation. Critical Thinking consists of mental processes of: discernment, analysis and evaluation. Critical Thinkers gather info from all senses, verbal and/or written expressions, reflection, observation, experience and reasoning Critical Thinkers gather info from all senses, verbal and/or written expressions, reflection, observation, experience and reasoning

4. The Necessity of Critical Thinking. Thinking is a skill, it is learned & Improved with practice. Thinking is a skill, it is learned & Improved with practice. In Thinking the focus is not on the final answer but in the process of getting the answer. In Thinking the focus is not on the final answer but in the process of getting the answer. Skills that are involved in thinking: Skills that are involved in thinking: * Problem Solving, * Problem Solving, * Critically analyzing situation for the best solution. * Critically analyzing situation for the best solution. * Creatively finding an answer to the problem * Creatively finding an answer to the problem

5. A Critical Thinker: Constantly asks appropriate questions. Constantly asks appropriate questions. Distinguishes between facts and opinions. Distinguishes between facts and opinions. Analyzes all sides of issues to find more in the situation than obvious. Analyzes all sides of issues to find more in the situation than obvious. Makes assertions built on sound logic & solid evidence. Makes assertions built on sound logic & solid evidence.

6. You use Critical Thinking When Processing New Information. When Processing New Information. When Setting Goals When Setting Goals In Making Decisions about How, When & Where to Study. In Making Decisions about How, When & Where to Study. When Taking Notes in Class. When Taking Notes in Class. In Reading Textbooks & Taking tests. In Reading Textbooks & Taking tests. In Managing Your Time. In Managing Your Time. To Determine the Validity of Using Internet or Library. To Determine the Validity of Using Internet or Library. To Determine the Best Way to Complete Assignments. To Determine the Best Way to Complete Assignments. To Determine What to Believe & What is Important to You. To Determine What to Believe & What is Important to You.

7. Process of Decision Making First: Determine the Problem. First: Determine the Problem. Second: Gather the Information. Second: Gather the Information. Third: Determine Options. Third: Determine Options. Fourth: Weigh the Evidence. Fourth: Weigh the Evidence. Fifth:Make a Choice Among Your Options. Fifth:Make a Choice Among Your Options. Sixth:Take Action. Sixth:Take Action. Seventh: Review Decision & Examine Consequences. Seventh: Review Decision & Examine Consequences.

8. Levels of Learning: 1 ) Knowledge: remembering or recalling previously learned info to draw out factual answers. you can define, match, list, dates, events, places, answer a multiple choice test. 2) Comprehension: grasping and understanding of informational materials you can explain, translate, interpret, find meaning. you can explain, translate, interpret, find meaning. 3) Application: practically use of previously learned information. You can demonstrate, apply, illustrate, classify.

9. Levels of Learning Cont. 4) Analysis: breaking down information into parts & see how parts work together. you will be able to analyze, explain, compare, arrange, classify you will be able to analyze, explain, compare, arrange, classify 5) Synthesis: making connections to with things you already know. You will be able to modify, plan, combine, create, design, predict and draw new conclusions. You will be able to modify, plan, combine, create, design, predict and draw new conclusions. 6) Evaluation: make judgments according to some set of criteria, without right or wrong answers. you will be able to assess, decide, measure, explain, conclude, make recommendation you will be able to assess, decide, measure, explain, conclude, make recommendation

10. Levels of Learning Bloom’s Taxonomy of Learning

11. Remember:  Critical Thinking is a Life Skill.  The Important Decision You Make in Your Life will not be Based on Memorizing the Right Answer. Each New Situation Demands Questioning, Analyzing & Evaluating.  The Important Decision You Make in Your Life will not be Based on Memorizing the Right Answer. Each New Situation Demands Questioning, Analyzing & Evaluating.