Critical Thinking

https://www.edutopia.org/blog/getting-critical-about-critical-thinking-heather-wolpert-gawron

PUTTING IT IN YOUR OWN WORDS

I define critical thinking through visualization: I picture the brain triggered by a thought that causes it to shoot signals from one area to another, forming pathways between neurons. Critical thinking is when the brain is active, making connections to the material and applying original thought to the concept. It’s the difference between struggling to remember (“ugh!”) and struggling to solve (“yeah!”). Googling "Effects of World War I on Europe" is not critical thinking. Outlining a science chapter is not critical thinking. These both have a purpose, but critical thinking they are not. My definition is not perfect, but it indicates what critical thinking isn't.

Developing Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills in the classroom

The programme aims to support teachers in all subjects to develop in their students the ability to “think outside the box” , the skills of lateral thinking, verbal and non-verbal reasoning, and critical analysis.
It includes, among other topics:

• Help students analyse and understand the problem, and the area of their subject it involves;
• Encourage students to constantly refer back to the questions being asked;
• Planning lessons to build in sufficient time for understanding, question and answer sessions, and review;
• Identifying known and unknown elements;
• Using “what if….” models.