Task 2

Read these suggestions how to develop teachers’ critical thinking, then add your views to this list.

• Clarify your thinking. Don’t be satisfied with a vague understanding of things. Seek the real meaning of things by looking at not just the surface, but below the surface as well.
• Consider alternative ways of looking at different solutions

• Apply and refine your teaching standards and evaluate things according to your personal standards, social standards, and professional standards.
• Keep an open mind.  You will not be able to think critically if you approach things with a rigid set of opinions and attitudes that are not open to discussion. 
• Utilize observation and inference, but place a high value on objective reality.  To be productive, your thinking must accurately perceive and interpret reality. 
• Do not rush to judgment.  Withhold judgment about things until you are certain you have enough information with which to make an informed judgment.  This is another way of saying “don’t jump to conclusions.”
• Stick to the point when you are thinking something through.  Don’t jump about without any logical connections between your thoughts.  Stay focused on what is relevant.
• Be intellectually curious.  Learn about things you don’t know much about and explore new ways of looking at and doing things.
• Don’t let your emotions get in the way of your thinking.  It’s difficult to think critically when you are angry or upset.  You will do your clearest thinking when you are calm and in control.
• Be a good listener. 
• Don’t simply jump on the bandwagon.  It is tempting to embrace ideas that become popular.  However, this is conformity, not critical thinking.[1]