Task 8

Do you also accept the following ideas regarding the characteristics of effective critical thinking in teaching?

• Thoroughly interprets evidence, statements, questions, literary elements, etc.
• Asks relevant questions.
• Analyses and evaluates key information and alternative points of view clearly.
• Fair-mindedly examines beliefs, assumptions, and opinions and weighs them against facts.
• Poses powerful questions shaped by background knowledge, curiosity and wonder about the world
• Draws insightful, reasonable conclusions.
• Justifies opinions.
• Addresses and evaluates major alternative points of view.
• Explains reasons.

A well cultivated critical thinker:

• raises vital questions and problems, formulating them clearly and precisely;

• gathers and assesses relevant information, using abstract ideas to interpret it effectively;

• comes to well-reasoned conclusions and solutions, testing them against relevant criteria and standards;

• thinks open-mindedly within alternative systems of thought, recognizing and assessing, as need be, their assumptions, implications, and practical consequences; and

• communicates effectively with others in figuring out solutions to complex problems.