critical thinking in the 21st century sarah conway

Critical Thinking in the 21st Century

Sarah Conway

Critical Thinking

• basic principles and characteristics of critical thinking

• the relevance critical thinking has to modern-day teaching and

learning, to the world of work, and to other aspects of our lives.

• some activities in which we will discover how we can employ

critical thinking strategies to help ourselves and our learners,

both in the classroom and beyond.

Critical Thinking

• What?

• Why?

• How?

True or False?Critical thinking is an American idea, so it’s impossible to teach to Mexican students.

Critical thinking occurs naturally and spontaneously.

Critical thinking is something that must be studied and practiced.

Critical thinking is only related to the sciences, it has nothing to do with languages.

Critical thinking is a skill humans can practice and develop.

Critical thinking is only for high level students, not beginners.

Critical thinking is a sign of high intelligence.

Critical thinking is about how students produce knowledge, not how they reproduce it.

Critical thinking is becoming more important, as our world becomes more complex.

FalseCritical thinking is an American idea, so it’s impossible to teach to Mexican students.

Critical thinking occurs naturally and spontaneously.

Critical thinking is something that must be studied and practiced.

Critical thinking is only related to the sciences, it has nothing to do with languages.

Critical thinking is a skill humans can practice and develop.

Critical thinking is only for high level students, not beginners.

Critical thinking is a sign of high intelligence.

Critical thinking is about how students produce knowledge, not how they reproduce it.

Critical thinking is becoming more important, as our world becomes more complex.

True

Critical thinking is something that must be studied and practiced.

Critical thinking is a skill humans can practice and develop.

Critical thinking is about how students produce knowledge, not how they reproduce it.

Critical thinking is becoming more important, as our world becomes more complex.

True

Critical thinking is something that must be studied and practiced.

Critical thinking is a skill humans can practice and develop.

Critical thinking is about how students produce knowledge, not how they reproduce it.

Critical thinking is becoming more important, as our world becomes more complex.

Discussion

• Critical thinking is not commonly taught in the Mexican education system. What does this mean for our students?

• What impact has technology had on

critical thinking? • Do you already encourage your students

to think critically? How? Choi

ce

Perc

eptio

n

Perception

• To illustrate different ways of seeing

Perception

• To illustrate different ways of seeing• To show that people can perceive the

same thing in different ways

Perception

• To illustrate different ways of seeing• To show that people can perceive the

same thing in different ways• To help develop an appreciation of that

fact that the same thing can be seen in different ways, not only in the language classroom, but also in real life

It is time to elect a new world leader, andyour vote counts.

Here are the facts about the three leading candidates. Which candidate would beyour choice?

• Candidate A associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologists. He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.

• Candidate A associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologists. He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.

• Candidate B was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whisky every evening.

• Candidate A associates with crooked politicians, and consults with astrologists. He's had two mistresses. He also chain smokes and drinks 8 to 10 martinis a day.

• Candidate B was kicked out of office twice, sleeps until noon, used opium in college and drinks a quart of whisky every evening.

• Candidate C is a decorated war hero. He's a vegetarian, doesn't smoke, drinks an occasional beer and hasn't had any extramarital affairs.

• Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt.

• Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt.

• Candidate B is Winston Churchill.

• Candidate A is Franklin D. Roosevelt.

• Candidate B is Winston Churchill.

• Candidate C is Adolf Hitler.

Assu

mpti

ons

AFANA: AssumptionsWhat have I assumed? What have I taken for granted? Do I need more information? What are the facts? F: ForWhat is the evidence for my opinion? Is it good evidence? Is it a fact or a belief? What are the reasons for my belief? A: AgainstWhat are the alternatives to my point of view? Can I see this another way? What if my starting assumption is wrong? N: Now What?This is a question posed to lead to a better assessment of the argument, one that may produce a better final decision.

Assu

mpti

ons

Evrim Üstünlüoğlu Language Teaching Through Critical Thinking and Self-Awareness

Breaking Thinking Habits

The suspect is 25 years old, has lost his wife and his job, and has sole responsibility for the care of his 10 year old son. The suspect was caught stealing food worth 150 pesos.

Thin

king

free

ly

One minute

3 things you didn’t know at the start of the session

2 things you would like to try for yourself

1 thing you are still thinking about

Refle

ction

Resource Pack

• A collective brainstorm activity for your Teachers’ Room noticeboard

• A copy of the AFAN handout for you and your students to refer to

• An example of a reading lesson designed to develop critical thinking

• Some articles in .pdf format• A bibliography suggesting further reading Pr

actic

e

Thank you!

Sarah Conwayfor The Anglo Mexican Foundation

sarahmgconway@gmail.com