Diane,
Well said. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Discipline can help with critical thinking when a student actually stops and takes the time to think about what they just learned and apply it to a case study. It takes discipline to slow down the thought process and take the time to go through each thought and apply it. In dental hygiene, several factors play a role in causing peridontitis. So a student must be able to tell me what factors they think contribute to this case and why they think it does. If they just speed through their answer, I know that they are not disciplined enough to give any critical thinking to their answers. I want to know WHY.
Linh ,
Yes, this is an excellent example of applying the discipline. Factor by factor consideration is often the only way to accurately identify the specific problem and cause(s), which in turn assist in devising the most optimal resolution.
Thank you for your helpful contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Keeping focus with the point or direction of the desired result.
Keith,
Not letting the details, or extraneous information, sidetrack the efforts toward a solution is a key imperative.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I see personal discipline as a key factor in the decision making process called Critical Thinking because it enables a student to correctly judge or decide based on previous experiences. So being disciplined in every aspect of our daily life activities will affect how we react/reply to specific critical thinking encounters.
gamaliel,
I agree that personal discipline is a key factor in critical thinking, as well as many other human endeavors. Very good point. Thank you for sharing your insight.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Discipline helps with every aspect of life. In critical thinking it helps individuals and groups to take the time to consider all possible solutions to a problem or issue rather than jumping in with the first idea that comes to mind simply to get things done. It helps in the suspension of judgement and creative work of coming up with solutions.
Michelle,
Yes, sometimes we believe we have hit an "Ah Ha!" moment and by implementing discipline we find confirmation. Other times the "Ah Ha!" moment may turn out to be false. The discipline you identify significantly increases the likelihood of a correct solution. Well done.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
It makes so much sense when you read about discipline that a person needs to have to help develop critical thinking skills, but it is a huge challenge in accelerated programs when we are trying to get them to learn and understand material so they can "pass the test." I find it helps to remind the students that their time in class is their time to be focused and disciplined to that subject. If the instructor is engaging, they do well, if not, they don't do well and complain that they are entitled to better instructors, etc. It would be great, if it worked both ways, instructor to student and student to instructor.
Kathy,
Yes, the 'consummerism' approach to education has some good effects and creates some challenges. One difficulty seems to be the change of focus of effort and resources from the actual quality of education to the indicators of quality of an education (e.g. retention, graduation rate, grades, certifications, etc.). This usually starts to erode the quality of the actual education when we start 'manipulating the ways' to keep students in school, increase graduation rates, raise CGPAs, etc. through efforts other than enhancing instructional/learning quality. Instructor engagement is one of the many means by which instruction/learning may be improved. However, especially with adult learners, it is often difficult to instill in the students the discipline of focused engagement toward the subject of study. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think these generation doesn't know how to use critical thinking, they are growing in a world where everything is been giving to them, some of my student are lacy and they don't think they have to work hard for their grade. Example: I ask one of my student to bag the instruments in the ultrasonic, he said; he doesn't know how to do that, I said; really, well is about time you learn, because in the field you have to do this job, then he said; no someone will do it for me.
I said to him; who have to wake up and get with the program, think that will never happen, either you do your job or you will get fired.
Maria,
It is very good of you to help the students understand what to expect in their future work environment. It will help them be better prepared.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
I think discipline is a vital attribute to ones character that allows you to excel when challenged with criticial thinking moments.
Said,
Indeed it is so. Pausing to think before reacting is often difficult within "critical thinking moments."
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Discussions of personal discipline bring to mind my one softball coach. She taught us a lot about being disciplined as student-athletes. In improve, we had learn to do all those drills (which were often boring)with full effort and focus. Coach also taught us about blocking out distractions and thinking about what to with the ball before the pitch was made so we were ready to act immediately.
Some of those same qualities apply to critical thinking and problem solving. Many times gathering all necessary information can be tedious (like those drills), but it is a necessary step. In order to develop potential solutions, we need to put forth effort and focus and block out the urge to take the easy way out. Critical thinking also requires us to look ahead at potential consequences of our decisions.
Deb,
Excellent sports tie-in. Thank you for your contribution.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Critical thinking is not a skill that you come by naturally; it requires time, attention, and practice, and discipline goes hand-in-hand with all of those things. When you reach the end of a lecture, for example, it requires no effort to jump up and go on to the next thing. Critical thinking requires you to reign in that urge, stop, and question what you just took in.
Andrea,
I like your approach. Very consistent.
Dr. S. David Vaillancourt
Since critical thinking involves The use of exploration and analyzing of information to a conceive a logical conclusion. The discipline
needed to apply the time for a well thought out and applicable solution is imperative.
