Critical thinking

A person with critical thinking skills is:

a discerning and analytical thinker, able to objectively evaluate information and evidence.
They possess the ability to identify and solve problems, approaching challenges with logic, reason, and evidence-based decision-making.
Critical thinkers exhibit intellectual curiosity, actively seeking out diverse perspectives and questioning assumptions.
With critical thinking skills, individuals are empowered to make informed judgments, think independently, and navigate complex situations with confidence.

What is Critical Thinking

Critical thinking has been described as an ability to question; to acknowledge and test previously held assumptions; to recognize ambiguity; to examine, interpret, evaluate, reason, and reflect; to make informed judgments and decisions; and to clarify, articulate, and justify positions.

Critical thinking is, to put it in more direct terms, thinking on purpose. You have to consciously seek out and evaluate information. Critical thinking does not happen automatically. Critical thinking is hard. As with anything challenging, this means there is an aspect of attitude to critical thinking. It takes perseverance, patience, and forgiveness to be a critical thinker. You have to be able to admit you were wrong and to keep looking for information even when you think you have solved the problem. In that respect, attitude and personality fall firmly into the soft skills side of the hard/soft dichotomy.

Analytical thinker

Solve problems

Seeking perspectives

Think independently

Critical thinking Activity

Soft skill approached	Empathy
Duration	60 minutes (approx.)
Method	Both in small groups and individual
Type of activity	Interactive
Objectives	On completion of the activity students will be able to: Define critical thinking Apply critical thinking skills to a real-world scenario Get to know each other
Resources	For the development of the activity, it will be required: Whiteboard and markers Handouts with a real-world scenario (a news article, a case study, or a current event) Pencils and paper for each student
Reflection activity	At the end of the activity, it is suggested to challenge students to reflect about: How did you feel when you saw the problem described? How did you feel in relation to the group? Did you understand the problem? Did the other understand the problem?

Activity Description:

Explain that critical thinking is the ability to objectively analyze and evaluate information in order to form logical and reasoned judgements.
Hand out a real-world scenario (a news article, a case study, or a current event) to each student.
In small groups, have students discuss and evaluate the information presented, considering multiple perspectives and weighing evidence objectively.
As a class, discuss the process of critical thinking and how it can be applied to the scenario.
Have students write a short reflection on the scenario, including their analysis of the key issues and arguments presented, as well as their own thoughts and opinions on the matter.
Review they key concepts of the lesson and ask if anyone has any questions.