Critical thinking
Many students are uncomfortable speaking out in class. S I liked the idea of starting out with simple nonthreatening questions
Linda,
I think you are going to like the results you get from using this approach.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
I try to share many of my experiences with the students. How can I get them to relate these to what they will be experiencing. How can I get them to focus on thinking on this rather on how much will I grade them for what they say?
Linda,
I would assign them to bring to classes examples from their lives or community of how they can use the content that is being taught. Then have a short reporting out time at the beginning of each class where they share what they have observed, done or experienced. This way you will be slowly bringing the classroom from an academic effort (grade) to application which is why they are there.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
One way I try to help my students develop their critical thinking abilities is to have each student ‘break down’ their own questions before presenting it to the class. Each question is broken-down into components relating to the question. Example: what am I trying to accomplish? what is the question? what will be the end result of the soution? After this mini task is completed, each question is handed off to adjacent students for responses. Now I have generated a class activity where all students are learning to develop their critical thiking skills.. It works!! The students are excited about how they are learning to problem solve.
Dorothea,
You are doing such a great service for your students. So many students today don't have the skills or patience to think think through problem solutions so by using your method they are developing a skill set that will serve them for life.
Gary
Gary Meers, Ed.D.
