apps to promote critical thinking

Helping Your Child Think Critically Using Technology Tools

Alice OwenFDLRS Administration Project

Coordinator, ESE Special Projects

owena@nefec.org

What Is Critical Thinking?

When you think of strong critical thinkers, who do you picture?

Pictures are linked to their source

Why Is It Important?

• Patient deaths• Lost revenue• Ineffective law enforcement• Gullible voters• Combat casualities• Unplanned pregnancies

• Vehicular homicide• Family violence• Repeated suicide attempts• Drug addiction• Academic failure• BAD DECISIONS

Consider the consequences of failing to use critical thinking ability.

Core Critical Thinking Skills

Can Critical Thinking Be Learned?

Critical Thinking is a learned skill that requires instruction and practice.

All individuals can improve their critical thinking ability.

Pictures are linked to their source

Quandry

Quandary is a free, award-winning game that engages your child in ethical decision-making and develops skills that will help them recognize ethical issues and deal with challenging situations in their own lives.

Traffic Jam orRush Hour FREE

These are sliding block logic puzzles that ask you to move a specific block/car in the shortest, most efficient path possible.

7 Little Words

If you enjoy crossword puzzles, word finds, and anagram games, you're going to love 7 Little Words! Find the mystery words by deciphering the clues and combining the letter groups. 7 Little Words is fun, challenging, and easy to learn.

Idea Sketch

Idea Sketch lets you easily draw a diagram - mind map, concept map, or flow chart - and convert it to a text outline, and vice versa.

You can use Idea Sketch for anything, such as brainstorming new ideas, illustrating concepts, making lists and outlines, planning presentations, creating organizational charts, and more!

Critical Thinking Insight

Critical Thinking Insight includes two stimulating thinking assessments.

– The Reasoning Skills Test– The Reasoning Mindset Survey

These tests are based on over 30 years of research applications. Taking both tests requires approximately 15-20 minutes.

Critical Thinking University

Critical Thinking University ‘Think-O-Meter is an app developed by Pearson.

It is geared toward college business majors, but may help older students begin testing their ability to separate reliable facts from assumptions, focus on the relevant information, and think critically to get the right answer.

Critical Thinking Basic

Critical Thinking Basic is an app that aims to help you to assess and improve the quality of your reasoning.

It prompts you to reflect about the reasoning behind an issue you are working on and guide your reflection process through nine simple Universal Standards of Reasoning.

References

Snyder, L. G. & Snyder, M. J. (2008). Teaching Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Skills. The Delta Pi Epsilon Journal, Volume L (No 2, Spring/Summer), pp. 90-99. Retrieved from URL: http://reforma.fen.uchile.cl/Papers/Teaching%20Critical%20Thinking%20Skills%20and%20problem%20solving%20skills%20-%20Gueldenzoph,%20Snyder.pdf

Facione, P. A. (2013). “Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts.” Millbrae, CA: Measured Reasons and The California Academic Press. Web. 2 June 2014. Retrieved from URL: http://www.insightassessment.com/content/download/1176/7580/file/What%26why2013.pdf

Helping Your Child Think Critically Using Technology Tools

Thank You!

Alice OwenFDLRS Administration Project

Coordinator, ESE Special Projects

owena@nefec.org