DEVELOPING A CULTURE OF

THINKING

IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCE

CLASSROOM

SHARON L.POITIER
Catholic Board of Education
Mini Conference
22nd August, 2000
 WHAT IS CRITICAL THINKING?

•The intellectually disciplined process of

actively and skillfully conceptualizing,
applying, analyzing, synthesizing and /or
evaluating information. (Scriven, 1996)

•The intentional application of rational,

higher order thinking skills. (Angelo, 1995)

•Making reasoned judgements. (Beyer, 1995)

 ?
“…A disciplined
manner of thought
that a person uses to
assess the validity of
something”
Eight Characteristics of Critical
Thinking

asking questions
defining a problem
examining evidence
analyzing assumptions and biases
avoiding emotional reasoning
avoiding oversimplification
considering other interpretations
tolerating ambiguity (Wade, 1995)
Essential Aspects of Critical Thinking

• Dispositions
• Criteria
•Argument
•Reasoning
•Point of View
•Procedures for applying criteria
Why Teach Critical Thinking?

΄ So our students will not become

passive receptors of
information
So our students learn to ask good
questions

So our students can make sound

decisions about personal and civic
affairs
Teaching Strategies to Help Promote
Critical Thinking

• CATS (Classroom Assessment Techniques)

•Cooperative Learning Strategies

•Case Study/Discussion Method

•Using Questions (mastery, understanding, synthesis,

involvement)
Teaching Strategies Cont’d

•Conference Style Learning

•Use Writing Assignments

•Dialogues

•Ambiguity