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How to Use a Lesson Assignment to Enhance Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is characterized by an ability to accurately and consistently synthesize information, according to the educational nonprofit Foundation for Critical Thinking. Teachers can introduce critical thinking principles in the classroom by designing assignments that challenge students to apply abstract ideas to concrete guidelines. Requiring students to explain methodology or evaluate a study using the scientific method can also cultivate critical thinking. Establish a classroom environment that encourages students to articulate ideas and questions in response to new material.

Instructions

    • 1

      Establish an environment in which critical thought is encouraged and evaluated through open questions. Compose questions without bias that can spark an ongoing dialogue, as is recommended by The Teaching Center at Washington University at St. Louis. Encourage students to clearly present views and think abstractly.

    • 2

      Teach active listening and close reading as skills for evaluation and group work. In class discussions, manage respectful dialogue by listening closely and avoiding interrupting others. Present students with the tools to analyze written work by teaching effective reading journals and summarizing.

    • 3

      Develop challenging assignments in which students are required to think creatively about concrete guidelines. For example, present students with educational standards for a given age group, then require them to design a lesson plan or classroom activities based on the skills outlined in the education standards. Or encourage students to find flaws in historical scientific case studies by comparing the methodology to the scientific method.

    • 4

      Practice unbiased evaluation using a complex set of guidelines. Screen videos of beginning public speakers, or facilitate class oral presentations in which small groups present an independent research project. Provide students with a clear public speaking or assignment rubric and ask them to create individual evaluations of the quality and effort demonstrated in the videos or by the speakers.

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