Critical thinking might be such an overused concept that we just use it for almost everything. But, what is actually critical thinking? According to Steven D. Schafersman, critical thinking means “correct thinking in the pursuit of relevant and reliable knowledge about the world. Another way to describe it is reasonable, reflective, responsible, and skilful thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do” So we could say that critical thinking is the main aspect to create a democratic society where everyone is able to give their opinion and differentiate what is true or false. For example history books tell what events happen and how they took place. However, readers need to be aware of who wrote that and why, so the idea is to be able to analyse what you are being told. Critical thinking is a key concept because as human beings we are absolutely social, due to the fact it influences our interaction with others.
Critical thinking is much related to education because teaching means to build up what people will be and the way they will behave. Teaching is a great influential factor that helps students to create their identities. Besides, taking in consideration teaching a foreign language or a second language signifies pass on a brand new culture trough language. I think that teaching is such an important process that as teachers to-be we need to be so alert about the impacts that our actions have on our students. Having the knowledge that teachers are a model to follow.
I think that nowadays Chilean education is prioritising memory learning rather than meaningful learning. Living my work experience during these two last semesters I have realised how little attention teachers pay to foment critical and evaluative people. Teachers, especially English teachers, are interested in just academic result and forget about the processes, the context and previous knowledge their students bring to the classroom.
The big question is how to apply this in daily classroom. First of all it is essential to understand that this is not an impossible goal, we must believe that through education any change is possible. To promote critical thinking in our students is very relevant to generate activities and home works that improve active thinking skills. There are several techniques that help teachers to promote and encourage this type of thinking among our students. “Critical thinking cannot be taught by lecturing. Critical thinking is an active process, while, for most students, listening to lectures is a passive activity. The intellectual skills of critical thinking--analysis, synthesis, reflection, etc.--must be learned by actually performing them. Classroom instruction, homework, term papers, and exams, therefore, should emphasize active intellectual participation by the student”.
Teachers need to be focused on the process their students are living and as a second aspect the result their students get. For example, activities that make students to reflexive about the things that happen to them daily, recent issues in the country. Produce debates where students can defend their opinions, but always taking into consideration other people’s point of views.
To revisit critical thinking as one of the primary aims of education requires us to take seriously our labour. Teachers need to teach the students to think analytically, critically and independently, to solve problems. A crucial clue is by making students to be participants of their own learning process and not to be a teacher as a dictator who rules the entire class. Students need to think by their own, analyze facts, organize their ideas and to be able to protect their opinions and beliefs assertively.
Critical thinking is much related to education because teaching means to build up what people will be and the way they will behave. Teaching is a great influential factor that helps students to create their identities. Besides, taking in consideration teaching a foreign language or a second language signifies pass on a brand new culture trough language. I think that teaching is such an important process that as teachers to-be we need to be so alert about the impacts that our actions have on our students. Having the knowledge that teachers are a model to follow.
I think that nowadays Chilean education is prioritising memory learning rather than meaningful learning. Living my work experience during these two last semesters I have realised how little attention teachers pay to foment critical and evaluative people. Teachers, especially English teachers, are interested in just academic result and forget about the processes, the context and previous knowledge their students bring to the classroom.
The big question is how to apply this in daily classroom. First of all it is essential to understand that this is not an impossible goal, we must believe that through education any change is possible. To promote critical thinking in our students is very relevant to generate activities and home works that improve active thinking skills. There are several techniques that help teachers to promote and encourage this type of thinking among our students. “Critical thinking cannot be taught by lecturing. Critical thinking is an active process, while, for most students, listening to lectures is a passive activity. The intellectual skills of critical thinking--analysis, synthesis, reflection, etc.--must be learned by actually performing them. Classroom instruction, homework, term papers, and exams, therefore, should emphasize active intellectual participation by the student”.
Teachers need to be focused on the process their students are living and as a second aspect the result their students get. For example, activities that make students to reflexive about the things that happen to them daily, recent issues in the country. Produce debates where students can defend their opinions, but always taking into consideration other people’s point of views.
To revisit critical thinking as one of the primary aims of education requires us to take seriously our labour. Teachers need to teach the students to think analytically, critically and independently, to solve problems. A crucial clue is by making students to be participants of their own learning process and not to be a teacher as a dictator who rules the entire class. Students need to think by their own, analyze facts, organize their ideas and to be able to protect their opinions and beliefs assertively.
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