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The following
information was adapted from the book Tools for Teaching by
Barbara Gross Davis. (Available in the LT&ITC library.
Critical Thinking
Students are often times reluctant to challenge their existing
conceptions or opinions on various subject matters. Research has
proved that in order for real learning to occur, students must
abandon their preconceived conceptions before they can internalize
more rational arguments. That task is not always easy to accomplish.
Barbara Gross Davis in her book Tools for Teaching offers the
following advice for planning activities that will help students
think more critically.
§ Help
students consider and appreciate other points of view
o
Require them to present evidence to support their own viewpoint
o
Reinforce the importance of considering other viewpoints
o
Stress to the students that it is alright to change your point of
view when there is evidence supporting an opposing viewpoint
§
Model how to evaluate other viewpoints
o
Plan discussions, debates, or group activities that reveal opposing
points of view that are supported by evidence – students will learn
that some arguments make sense to abandon based on the evidence
o
Have students play the “devil’s advocate” in opposing arguments
(this exercise helps students to realize the importance of
disagreements and how to think more critically)
o
Identify criteria necessary to change one’s point of view
o
Discuss what makes evidence valid or invalid
§
Help students to understand the judgment making process
o
Have students create a chart or podcast or PowerPoint presentation
on how to evaluate new information that conflicts with previous
conceptions
o
Encourage students to post to a discussion board or blog on how to
make decisions when information is vague or uncertain
These are just a
few suggestions for developing critical thinking skills in your
classroom. For more information, contact the LT&ITC at 615-494-7671
or by e-mail at
ltanditc@mtsu.edu.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1.
Davis, Barbara Gross, Tools for Teaching, Jossey-Bass: San
Francisco, 1993.
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