critical thinking test

critical thinking test

The Importance of Critical Thinking Skills

1. Introduction

The most important of the constructive tasks in learning is to develop and use standards for the better and worse of one’s own behaviour and of the conditions where one is active. The thinking which is to contribute to this task must be inventive and influenced by a sound sense of judgement. So both constructive task of learning and what is to guide it will be assisted by one general sort of training. Now, a standard is a measure in use to compare with something else and judgement is the critical method of determining whether to regard that something as strong or weak in relation to the field where it is compared. And it is this sort of training which underlies the traditional subject known as formal logic. Although it seems rather remote and difficult for most people today, an education of critical thinking might simply be seen as an ability to base judgement on sound logical reasoning. This do we go too far in learning requires an ability to think more than a bare understanding of others’ thoughts and it is this that we believe would benefit from the training logical reasoning as an aspect of sound judgement.

It cannot be denied that the way one thinks is of vital importance. We are all at the mercy of our own biggest thoughts. In this wise, what distinguishes one person from another may be nothing more than how he thinks. A man who thinks but does not reflect is like a mirror which reflects but does not think. And conversely, the most potent thoughts and the thoughts most likely to be productive of future benefit are those which tell of the way the mind is thinking about most things. Most of what a person gets in a lifetime is a result of the thought which his mind is doing. There is a possibility in thinking that is more than merely placing on record the results of one’s previous thoughts or of the thoughts of other people. When we reflect, there is a peril we may begin to see in a new way and modify our views. We may take unanticipated steps which lead us to success in finding search for truth. The advantageous thinking in which there is new construction is called inventive thinking and what the world needs today as much as or more than anything else is a type of thinking which is not far from inventive directed by a sound standard of judgement. This is the kind of thinking the encouragement of which the education of critical thinking is hoping to foster.

2. Benefits of Critical Thinking

Being well-versed in the benefits of critical thinking can prove advantageous when applying for jobs, seeking promotions, and in a wide variety of occupational settings. Virtually everyone would agree that a primary, yet often overlooked, objective of higher education is to enable students to learn how to think critically. In essence, the ability to think critically is a badge of honor among many educated people. During the last few years, businesses have begun to appreciate “new” workers, those who are said to possess good “soft” skills such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. In a poll commissioned by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, 75 percent of the 302 employers surveyed placed the greatest priority on “ethical decision making and reasoning skills,” attributes associated with critical thinking. In numerous studies and surveys, business leaders strongly endorse the idea that these are the types of skills that will lead to success in employment and will be the most beneficial in the long run. During the last few years, businesses have begun to appreciate “new” workers, those who are said to possess good “soft” skills such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking. In a poll commissioned by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, 75 percent of the 302 employers surveyed placed the greatest priority on “ethical decision making and reasoning skills,” attributes associated with critical thinking. In numerous studies and surveys, business leaders strongly endorse the idea that these are the types of skills that will lead to success in employment and will be the most beneficial in the long run.

3. Developing Critical Thinking Skills

The process of developing critical thinking skills must begin at a young age and continue as the student progresses through college or to a professional career. There are a number of methods that one can use to develop their critical thinking skills. The process involved must be a continuous one where students are always trying to improve their ability to think critically. An example of a method that a student could use to develop their critical thinking skills is to keep a thought journal. In a study done by Perkins, he found that students who were given open-ended problems to solve that required a complex solution reported improvement in their critical thinking skills. With the constant changes being made to simplify education and obtain higher test scores, this might be a valuable tool that could be used by students and teachers. An open-ended problem or question is one that has multiple solutions, but the path is not always a clear one to the solution. A thought journal should be used to explore the different possible solutions to the problem. The student should try to clearly identify the problem, and they should avoid jumping to conclusions and solutions. This is a style of problem solving that requires patience and it is imperative to developing critical thinking skills. The advantages of using a thought journal are only effective if the student is willing to be honest with themselves and make a continuous effort to refine their thought processes.

4. Applying Critical Thinking in Real-Life Situations

The fourth and final phase in the critical thinking process (after explanation, interpretation, and evaluation) is self-regulation. This is the process of monitoring our own thoughts, an internal dialogue or its changing in essence from a focus on a problem to thinking about the thinking used to solve the problem. Self-regulation is like looking at a problem from a meta-level and being aware of your own awareness. In order to solve a mathematical or any sort of problem, being aware of when you come unstuck and knowing what it was that you were doing at that point is useful in identifying a weakness in one’s thinking. Critical thinkers are always on the lookout for conditions that enable them to apply their skills to any problem. Often problems will arise when we have to make a decision and it is apparent that the decision is a result of an emotion or a selfish motivation. When you discover a more likeable conclusion drawn hastily and that there is no sound reasoning for it, this is an excellent opportunity to perceive the strength of the opposite decision and then weigh up the alternatives. The selecting of an alternative is a conscious decision to actively use critical thinking to solve problems and the conclusion will be implemented and evaluated later on. Finally, there is a rare occasion when a resolved problem is evaluated by an outside source and there is an awareness that it could be reconceptualized given further thought at a later date. Being aware of which stage of critical thinking is being used at any given time and knowing how to implement and practice the skills is important for transferring them to real-life situations.

5. Conclusion

In conclusion then, it is possible to identify critical thinking skills as a set of interrelated and transferable skills capable of being taught which are essential for the preparation of a capable twenty-first century citizenry. Far from being just another subject in a crowded school curriculum, critical thinking is the common denominator of all educational goals. The development of intelligence, the pursuit of truth, and the improvement of quality of life all depend on the power to think effectively. Nor is it restricted to school education. People are increasingly realizing that the ability to think critically is the key to a brighter future. Involvement in community action, for example, can be highly satisfying and educational, but often ineffective or even counterproductive because people are unclear about their objectives or fail to assess the short and long-term consequences of their decisions. Group discussion is on the increase and is the prevalent mode of decision-making. This is an opportunity often overlooked, to infuse wisdom into the decision-making and problem-solving process, and it is those who have come to understand the importance of thinking that are most likely to succeed. Cognitive psychologists will continue to research the nature of thought and judgment, and to find better ways to teach thinking. In this continuing search, the Halpern Critical Thinking Assessment is a major milestone. But the tools and techniques of the present time are more than sufficient to begin the process of working critical thinking into all that we do. And what better time to start with the youth of today. This generation, growing up in a time of fast facts and alternative facts, will be sorely in need of coping mechanisms in an increasingly challenging and often dangerous global environment. Any parent or teacher who has their eyes fixed on the future should heed the trend of time and begin to consider what to do to raise the thinker. This essay and indeed much in the realm of academia points to the same conclusion. Critical thinking is not an isolated goal unrelated to other important goals in education. Rather, it is a seminal goal which, when achieved, will enable students to learn more, to do better in every capacity.