Posted: September 6th, 2023

Critical thinking is the ability to objectively analyze

References
Facione, P. A., & Gittens, C. A. (2016). Think critically (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson.

Bloom, B. S., Engelhart, M. D., Furst, E. J., Hill, W. H., and Krathwohl, D. R. (1956). Taxonomy of educational objectives: The classification of educational goals. Handbook I: Cognitive domain. David McKay Company.

Lovett, M. C. (2008). Teaching metacognition. https://www.overcominghateportal.org/uploads/5/4/1/5/5415260/teaching_metacognition.pdf

Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. (n.d.). Bloom’s taxonomy pyramid [Image file]. https://www.flickr.com/photos/vandycft/29428436431

The content of the metacognition section was based largely on the following sources:

Lai, E. R. (2011). Metacognition, a literature review. https://images.pearsonassessments.com/images/tmrs/Metacognition_Literature_Review_Final.pdf

Papaleontiou-Louca, E. (2003). The concept and instruction of metacognition. Teacher Development, 7(1). http://vcell.ndsu.nodak.edu/~ganesh/seminar/2003_Louca_The%20Concept%20and%20Instruction%20of%20Metacognition.pdf

Instructions
For this journal assignment, briefly answer each of the following prompts:

Critical Thinking
After reading the required resources for this week and participating in the discussion, how do you define critical thinking? You will want to carry this definition with you, so keep it brief – perhaps 4 to 6 lines. You will find many definitions online – don’t be tempted to just quickly copy one; try to form your own so that it is meaningful to you.
Heart of the Matter
Considering just what you read in Chapter 2.3 “Looking Ahead” why do you think the authors see Chapters 12, 13, and 14 as the “heart of the matter”?
What do you think they mean by that?
What two concepts do the authors say these chapters emphasize?
How do you define these concepts?
Why do you think the authors find these concepts important to critical thinking?
Challenges & Insights
What do you see as your greatest challenge for this session in general? For this class in particular?
How do you think you can use the concepts in these first three chapters to help you meet these challenges as well as challenges in your personal life as a member of your family and your community?
If you include references to outside sources (beyond the textbook), make sure you cite them properly.

________________________-
Critical Thinking:
Critical thinking is the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate information, arguments, and claims, considering evidence, context, and perspectives. It involves questioning assumptions, recognizing biases, making logical connections, and drawing reasoned conclusions.

Heart of the Matter:
The authors consider Chapters 12, 13, and 14 as the “heart of the matter” because they focus on practical applications of critical thinking skills. These chapters emphasize problem-solving, decision-making, and creative thinking. Problem-solving involves identifying, analyzing, and resolving problems, decision-making involves evaluating options and making choices, while creative thinking involves generating original ideas and solutions.

Challenges & Insights:
My greatest challenge for this session in general is managing my time effectively to balance coursework and other responsibilities. For this class, my biggest challenge is engaging with the material and participating in discussions while being a virtual student.
I can use the concepts in these first three chapters, such as metacognition and Bloom’s taxonomy, to develop effective study strategies and improve my critical thinking skills. For example, I can use metacognitive strategies to monitor my learning progress, set goals, and adjust my study strategies accordingly. I can also use Bloom’s taxonomy to structure my learning objectives and evaluate my understanding of the material. These concepts can also help me to solve problems and make informed decisions in my personal life and contribute positively to my community.

References:
Facione, P. A., & Gittens, C. A. (2016). Think critically (3rd ed.). Boston: Pearson.
Lovett, M. C. (2008). Teaching metacognition. https://www.overcominghateportal.org/uploads/5/4/1/5/5415260/teaching_metacognition.pdf
Vanderbilt University Center for Teaching. (n.d.). Bloom’s taxonomy pyramid [Image file]. https://www.flickr.com/photos/vandycft/29428436431

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