Critical thinking courses ?

[Belz...]

In my opinion, critical thinking is essential in the modern world. I live in Québec, so I can only speak for my own part of the universe, but why aren't there critical thinking courses at school, starting from the earliest years ? Surely, educators realise how important it is for kids to be able to analyse problems and resolve them, etc.

How are things in your country/state/province/whatever, and what are your thoughts on this issue ?

[A.A. Alfie]

I think that's a stupid idea.

Critical enough for you?:D

[case#46cw39]

Richard Paul and the Foundation for Critical Thinking probably have the most developed model in the USA. http://www.criticalthinking.org/ But it's not taught universally. The problem appears to be no standard teaching that is applied in all states. Chemistry remains the same no matter in what state it's studied. The same is not true for critical thinking.

Paul's model of critical thinking was applied to the Space Shuttle Columbia accident:

The Loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia:
Portaging Leadership Lessons with a Critical Thinking Model

Robert J Niewoehner, Captain, U.S. Navy, Ph.D.
Craig E. Steidle, Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy (ret.)
U.S. Naval Academy

Abstract

Business schools have long valued case studies as a tool for both broadening a student’s perspective, and provoking them to deeper consideration of complex situations. The challenge with case studies is assuring the portability of the lessons; we don’t expect students to see situations imitating those they’ve studied, hence the goal must instead be habits of mind and principles of action which the student can portage to the circumstances of their professional lives. This paper evaluates the suitability of Richard Paul’s Critical Thinking model as a template for evaluating engineering enterprise thinking habits and organizational behavior, using the Columbia Accident Investigation Board (CAIB) report as a case study. With minor refinement, Paul’s model provides a powerful vocabulary for complicated case study analysis, and that familiarity with the model provides participants with both a mechanism for analysis and a means for portaging lessons to other professional situations and organizations.
http://www.criticalthinking.org/articles/engineering-reasoning.cfm

[The True Scotsman]

In my opinion, critical thinking is essential in the modern world. I live in Québec, so I can only speak for my own part of the universe, but why aren't there critical thinking courses at school, starting from the earliest years ? Surely, educators realise how important it is for kids to be able to analyse problems and resolve them, etc.

How are things in your country/state/province/whatever, and what are your thoughts on this issue ?

Kids already know the most important element of critical thinking: asking "why?" ;)

[A.A. Alfie]

There is the opposite too: "Why not?"

[Belz...]

Kids already know the most important element of critical thinking: asking "why?" ;)

Truthers ask "why", too.

[Hokulele Mom]

As Phil Plait mentioned us at one of TAMs, we, at New England College in New Hampshire, teach a course titled the Way of Science, a course on critical thinking. It is the General Education Program distribution course on scientific method and is the graduation requirement for the science and math majors. Since no other course is offered in this category except for occasional philosophy of science, it is the graduation requirement for the rest of the students, too.

There is an old course outline available at www.wayofscience.info. The course is as old as the critical thinking movement described at TAM8. The course was described in an old issue of Skeptical Inquirer by the originator of the course, Prof. Michael Wirth. The article resulted in a syllabus request from Carl Sagan.

I realize we are in the sea of troubles, but we run five to six sections of the course every year and I receive a handful of very rewarding messages from former students every year saying what a difference the course has made in their life.

I do an abbreviated version during the summer for the adult-education programs.

Rather than moan about the lack of critical thinking in education or in general, I invite all to join in the effort to educate. Afterall, this is James Rand [B]Educational[B] Foundation.

Hokulele Mom

ps Years of teaching the course had rubbed off on Hokulele, too. That should be a reward in itself for me.

[Cayvmann]

Truthers ask "why", too.

And there's nothing wrong with that. There might be a problem later with ignoring answers, but the question is good stuff.

[case#46cw39]

W.G. Sumner (1906) provides a generally accepted foundational definition of Critical Thinking:

“[CT is] the examination and test of propositions of any kind which are offered for acceptance, in order to find out whether they correspond to reality or not”


Critical thinking researcher Richard Paul (2004) sharpens the definition:

“Critical thinking is self-directed, self-disciplined, self-monitored, and self-corrective thinking. It presupposes assent to rigorous standards of excellence and mindful command of their use.

Intellectually disciplined students: locate ultimate intellectual authority in evidence and reasoning, rather than in authority figures or “authoritative” beliefs or texts."
http://www.criticalthinking.org/


I think David Moore brings it home:

“Critical Thinking is a deliberate meta-cognitive (thinking about thinking) and cognitive (thinking) act whereby a person reflects on the quality of the reasoning process simultaneously while reasoning to a conclusion. The thinker has two equally important goals: coming to a solution and improving the way she or he reasons.” [Moore, 2006, italics in original]


And the U.S. Naval Academy authors of the above study support this definition:

"Hence, critical thinking means much more than “Logic.” Metacognition is vital to this definition. “Meta” means above or beyond; hence, metacognition means “thinking that looks back on itself.”"
http://www.criticalthinking.org/page.cfm?PageID=833&CategoryID=73

[TragicMonkey]

In my opinion, critical thinking is essential in the modern world. I live in Québec, so I can only speak for my own part of the universe, but why aren't there critical thinking courses at school, starting from the earliest years ? Surely, educators realise how important it is for kids to be able to analyse problems and resolve them, etc.

How are things in your country/state/province/whatever, and what are your thoughts on this issue ?

I went to US public schools in several different states. Critical thinking is not taught, and is in fact actively discouraged--it's bad for discipline if a student questions the material. It's seen as a challenge to the teacher's authority, and that merits punishment.

And then everyone's surprised when these kids go to college and can't think for themselves.

[Belz...]

I went to US public schools in several different states. Critical thinking is not taught, and is in fact actively discouraged--it's bad for discipline if a student questions the material. It's seen as a challenge to the teacher's authority, and that merits punishment.

And then everyone's surprised when these kids go to college and can't think for themselves.

Not surprising. When I did my computer programming courses in college (a 3-year program), most of it was theoretical, by-heart exams. Yeah, that encourages thinking, too. Especially silly considering the field invovled.

[case#46cw39]

I went to US public schools in several different states. Critical thinking is not taught, and is in fact actively discouraged--it's bad for discipline if a student questions the material. It's seen as a challenge to the teacher's authority, and that merits punishment.

And then everyone's surprised when these kids go to college and can't think for themselves.

Indeed. However there is a nascent US Revolution afoot, led by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, where the Common Core State Standards Initiative is being advanced. http://www.corestandards.org Their Standards are still being hammered out:

"These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs."

Here's a list of the states that have currently adopted the Initiative.
http://www.corestandards.org/in-the-states (quite a number).

Though they do not use the term critical thinking, they have identified its central methodology as a part of their Writing Standards. Does that not a US revolution make? Is this the revolution that moves us from the bottom of the list of industrial states in science to the top?

Writing Standards -
"The ability to write logical arguments based on substantive claims, sound reasoning, and relevant evidence is a cornerstone of the writing standards, with opinion writing—a basic form of argument—extending down into the earliest grades.

Research—both short, focused projects (such as those commonly required in the workplace) and longer term in depth research —is emphasized throughout the standards but most prominently in the writing strand since a written analysis and presentation of findings is so often critical.
http://www.corestandards.org/about-the-standards/key-points-in-english-language-arts

[rhysmorgan]

Here in Britain, we have a GCSE dedicated to critical thinking.

[blutoski]

In my opinion, critical thinking is essential in the modern world. I live in Québec, so I can only speak for my own part of the universe, but why aren't there critical thinking courses at school, starting from the earliest years ? Surely, educators realise how important it is for kids to be able to analyse problems and resolve them, etc.

How are things in your country/state/province/whatever, and what are your thoughts on this issue ?

It's worth suggesting that critical thinking does not have to be taught in a dedicated course to be taught to the student. There is an ongoing debate even with education experts as to whether we're talking about general or specific skillsets.

It's also my considered opinion (as somebody who has taught critical thinking courses) that when skeptics are upset about people having bad ideas, the assumption that they're not critical thinking is unjustified. What we're upset about is that these people are not aligned with skeptical conclusions, regardless of what process they used to get there.

Just as a comparison: any student who is asked to write an English essay is being asked to practise critical thinking (organize your argument, support it with facts, anticipate counter-arguments... &c). Shermer discusses this problem in [Why People Believe Weird Things (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ISBN=0716733870/roberttoddcarrolA/)]. For example, belief in the paranormal is positively correlated with education. Shermer's explanation (with which I agree) is that better educated people are also better critical thinkers, and can build more sophisticated arguments to defend their worldviews.

My testable hypothesis is that skeptics aren't much better at critical thinking process than the general public. Having tried to teach critical thinking to skeptics and seen disappointing results, (many skeptics mistake iconoclasm or solipsism for critical thinking).

My thought is that many skeptics have simply made distinct decisions about what information resources to trust; others have adopted skeptical conclusions obtained through methods other than critical thinking.


ETA:

Sorry about the rambling. My point was that I think teaching critical thinking is important, but it should not be expected to result in an increase in people with skeptical worldviews.

[Belz...]

It's also my considered opinion (as somebody who has taught critical thinking courses) that when skeptics are upset about people having bad ideas, the assumption that they're not critical thinking is unjustified. What we're upset about is that these people are not aligned with skeptical conclusions, regardless of what process they used to get there.

Just as a comparison: any student who is asked to write an English essay is being asked to practise critical thinking (organize your argument, support it with facts, anticipate counter-arguments... &c).

Still, there is nothing in my years at school about skeptical inquiry, and how to tell truth from fantasy. Such a course could also help in other courses later on.

[Jono]

Still, there is nothing in my years at school about skeptical inquiry, and how to tell truth from fantasy. Such a course could also help in other courses later on.

In philosophy class back during my school daze we devoted part of the semester to Logic as well as its application in the sciences, which is pretty much the conceptual tool that condenses thinking into critical thinking.

While on the subject, a friend in London sent me a most wonderful book a few months ago;
'Elementary Lessons in Logic: Deductive and Inductive' by W. Stanley Jevons (London; Macmillian and Co., Limited. New York: The Macmillian Company. 1897). Over a 100 year old book, with the appropriate smell such books tend to have, but well worth the read for anyone eyeing for a good introduction to the main element of critical thinking.

[Jeff Corey]

...My testable hypothesis is that skeptics aren't much better at critical thinking process than the general public...

At TAM1, I gave a two card version of Wason's card selection task to the people attending. Out 156, 26 got it right. That yields a p <.000000001.

[Belz...]

(many skeptics mistake iconoclasm or solipsism for critical thinking).

So they're not skeptics, then. ;)

[Jeff Corey]

Indeed. However there is a nascent US Revolution afoot, led by the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers, where the Common Core State Standards Initiative is being advanced. http://www.corestandards.org Their Standards are still being hammered out:

"These standards define the knowledge and skills students should have within their K-12 education careers so that they will graduate high school able to succeed in entry-level, credit-bearing academic college courses and in workforce training programs."...

I would hope that they would graduate from high school knowing proper English.

[majamin]

How are things in your country/state/province/whatever, and what are your thoughts on this issue ?

In my experience as a teacher and observing others, I find that critical thinking is often used as a way of questioning students' assumptions and knowledge, and although not directly taught, by analogy and example, is often effective on their overall learning.

If my experience is right, and teachers often do this already, then there is no reason that it shouldn't be illuminated and be taught directly.

[blutoski]

So they're not skeptics, then. ;)

Yeah: I call it the 'no true skeptic' problem.

I was a bit relieved to hear Massimo P say pretty much the same thing on a POI podcast a few months ago: "most skeptics aren't skeptics".

It's a real elephant in the room.

[blutoski]

Still, there is nothing in my years at school about skeptical inquiry, and how to tell truth from fantasy. Such a course could also help in other courses later on.

Understood, but that's my point: skeptics don't seem to actually want critical thinking taught; we seem to want more skeptical facts taught.

[blutoski]

At TAM1, I gave a two card version of Wason's card selection task to the people attending. Out 156, 26 got it right. That yields a p <.000000001.

I'd be curious how that compares to the general population, though: if skeptics did better than average, my hypothesis would be rejected.

Maybe 5% of North Americans get it right, for example. 17% among TAM skeptics would be better than average.

[DallasDad]

I would hope that they would graduate from high school knowing proper English.

Actually, be graduated from high school is more correct. They aren't the ones doing the graduating; it's being done to them by the institution.

[fls]

My testable hypothesis is that skeptics aren't much better at critical thinking process than the general public. Having tried to teach critical thinking to skeptics and seen disappointing results, (many skeptics mistake iconoclasm or solipsism for critical thinking).

My thought is that many skeptics have simply made distinct decisions about what information resources to trust; others have adopted skeptical conclusions obtained through methods other than critical thinking.


ETA:

Sorry about the rambling. My point was that I think teaching critical thinking is important, but it should not be expected to result in an increase in people with skeptical worldviews.

These are excellent points.

Linda

[Jeff Corey]

Actually, be graduated from high school is more correct. They aren't the ones doing the graduating; it's being done to them by the institution.
Either way is correct, they graduate from a school. "Graduate high school" is clearly incorrect and considering the source, ironic.
http://grammar.quickanddirtytips.com/graduated-from.aspx

[DallasDad]

I'm with Grammar Girl. She says the formal way to say it is to use both passive and intransitive. The active voice sounds wrong to me, although GG says it's modern (and apparently therefore allowed). Guess I'm showing my age.

What's the point of being a pedant if the rules changes while you're looking the other way for a few decades? How's a poor nit-picker to keep up?

[Jeff Corey]

I'm with Grammar Girl. She says the formal way to say it is to use both passive and intransitive. The active voice sounds wrong to me, although GG says it's modern (and apparently therefore allowed). Guess I'm showing my age.

What's the point of being a pedant if the rules changes while you're looking the other way for a few decades? How's a poor nit-picker to keep up?

As far as I remember, when I graduated from high school decades ago, the rule was the same as it is now. It was the same when I graduated from college. Grammar girl says it's still the correct way to say it, so the dolts that wrote, redacted and approved that report have no excuse.

[Percent]

I know the Wason task has tripped up many skilled critical thinkers, which may be the point here: training doesn't always lead to transfer. I.e., we can directly train critical thinking skills but depending on the assessment we might not see evidence of the training.

Anne

[Jeff Corey]

I'd be curious how that compares to the general population, though: if skeptics did better than average, my hypothesis would be rejected.

Maybe 5% of North Americans get it right, for example. 17% among TAM skeptics would be better than average.

In fact, Margolis (2000) showed that the "reduced array" card task that I gave at TAM1 produced a majority of correct responses in the college students he tested. http://www.cogsci.ecs.soton.ac.uk/cgi/psyc/newpsy?11.005