a nation at risk? do we know how to train critical thinking? are our schools getting it done?

A Nation At Risk?

Do we know how to train critical thinking?

Are our schools getting it done?

Critical ThinkingThinking About Thinking

Goal-DirectedPlanful Strategic

Conscious Evaluation Daydreaming

Rote LearningFamiliar Solutions

Thinking About Thinking

Plan

THREE STAGES

Act & Monitor

Evaluate

What is the goal?

What do I already know?

What skills or strategies do I have?

Am I making progress?

Do I need more information?

Should I change strategies?

Have I succeeded?

What have I learned about these kinds of problems?

Herb Simon, Ph.D. Professor of Psychology & Computer ScienceCarnegie-Mellon UniversityNobel Prize (Economics)A Founder of Cognitive Science

Classic Problems D O N A L D

+ G E R A L D ---------------------------- R O B E R T

What are the other letters if D = 5?

Classic Problems

Good Problem Solvers Ask Themselves:

What Do I Already Know That Might Be Relevant?

D O N A L D

+ G E R A L D ---------------------------- R O B E R T

1. D = 5

2. How to add and carry

3. 5+5 = 0 ( & carry 1)

4. X + 10 = (& carry 1)

5. A number + itself is an EVEN number

6. EVEN + 1 = ODD

Classic Problems

What relevant knowledge do

you have?

Can you break the overall task into

simpler sub-tasks?

Will it take one strategy orwill you have to shift

strategies along the way?

D O N A L D

+ G E R A L D ---------------------------- R O B E R T

Problem Solving Attitudes:Not Everyone Is The Same

Formal Problems in Academic Settings

Real Problems in Everyday Settings

Some People :• Plan before acting• Consider various strategies• Persist• Monitor their efforts

Some People :• Ask:“What kind of problem is this?”

• Value chances to solve problems

• Learn to anticipate problems