Saturday, May 27, 2023

Critical Thinking v Creative Thinking

 Critical thinking and creative thinking are two different approaches to problem-solving. Here are some of the differences between the two:

Critical thinking:
  • Is focused on logic and reasoning
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  • Is analytical and evaluative in nature
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  • Seeks to assess the worth or validity of something that already exists
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  • Is selective
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  • Is aimed at improving the quality of products produced by a company
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Creative thinking:
  • Is more about imagination and innovation
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  • Is generative in purpose
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  • Tries to create something new
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  • Is not selective
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  • Is employed in areas such as poetry, novel writing, short story writing, and fiction writing
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While critical thinking is more structured and analytical, creative thinking is more imaginative and innovative
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 Critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating one's own thinking and that of others, while creative thinking involves searching for meaningful new connections by generating many unusual, original, and varied possibilities
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 Critical thinking is best suited for fields such as science and business, while creative thinking is best suited for fields such as art and literature
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In summary, critical thinking is focused on analyzing and evaluating existing information, while creative thinking is focused on generating new ideas and possibilities. Both approaches have their own strengths and are useful in different contexts.

Friday, May 26, 2023

Lessons we have learned about critical thinking


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Lessons we have learned about critical thinking

Q: Give a brief outline of the lessons have we learnt about critical thinking @K-12 after so many years of research, practice and learning. Put it in a numbered hierarchy.


An outline of the lessons we have learned about critical thinking at the K-12 level:

  1. Critical Thinking Lessons @K-12 1.1. Importance of Developing Critical Thinking Skills 1.1.1. Recognizing the value of critical thinking in everyday life and decision-making 1.1.2. Understanding the connection between critical thinking and academic success 1.2. Cognitive Biases and Fallacies 1.2.1. Awareness of common cognitive biases that influence thinking and decision-making 1.2.2. Identifying and avoiding logical fallacies in arguments and reasoning 1.3. Developmental Progression of Critical Thinking 1.3.1. Age-appropriate strategies for fostering critical thinking skills at different grade levels 1.3.2. Understanding the cognitive development stages and their impact on critical thinking abilities 1.4. Teaching Critical Thinking Across Subjects 1.4.1. Integration of critical thinking instruction in various disciplines (e.g., math, science, humanities) 1.4.2. Application of critical thinking skills to real-world contexts and problem-solving scenarios 1.5. Information and Media Literacy 1.5.1. Teaching students how to evaluate and analyze sources of information 1.5.2. Navigating and critically assessing digital media and online content 1.6. Creating an Environment for Critical Thinking 1.6.1. Encouraging open-mindedness, curiosity, and intellectual risk-taking 1.6.2. Cultivating a classroom culture that values questioning, reflection, and evidence-based reasoning 1.7. Assessment and Feedback 1.7.1. Incorporating assessment methods that measure students' critical thinking skills 1.7.2. Providing constructive feedback to guide students' critical thinking development 1.8. Connection to Real-World Applications 1.8.1. Emphasizing the relevance and practical application of critical thinking skills beyond the classroom 1.8.2. Preparing students to be informed and engaged citizens capable of evaluating complex issues

This outline highlights the key lessons we have learned about critical thinking at the K-12 level, emphasizing the importance of skill development, addressing cognitive biases and fallacies, integrating critical thinking across subjects, promoting information and media literacy, fostering an environment conducive to critical thinking, utilizing effective assessment and feedback strategies, and connecting critical thinking to real-world applications.

Critical Thinking: Challenges, Possibilities, and Purpose

Introduction Critical thinking is increasingly recognized as an essential skill across various domains, particularly in complex and dynamic ...