An important aspect of problem solving, critical thinking revolves around making accurate judgments about a particular situation. Assessing the entire situation, a critical thinker is very methodological in his analysis, interpretation and evaluation. Using the results of his inquiry, the critical thinker reflects on the situation and posits a logical conclusion to the question at hand.
Relatively permanent, long-term memory sometimes proves to be inaccurate. Shaped by our previous experiences, long-term memory is the result of strengthening synapses in the brain. Long-term memory contrasts with working or sensory memory in that long-term memory captures events that happened many years ago. A strong emotional attachment exists to those memories.
A person with a fantastic memory may lack the skills of a critical thinker. The opposite also holds true. Both of these crucial functions develop in different parts of the brain. Thus, training is necessary to make a connection between one and the other.
To develop both critical thinking and long-term memory, ask the students to put ideas into their own words as precisely as possible. This exercise will force the students to reevaluate the words they use; students may remember to repeat the process in the future. With enough regular practice, this procedure may become a habit. Also, students need to connect what they are learning to personal experiences. Only in that way will the material transfer from short-term memory to long-term memory.