ANNOTATED BIBLOGRAPHY

Based on the given article, write an annotation about 250 - 300 words on importance
of including critical thinking skills in classrooms. You are advised to paraphrase and
summarise the information critically.

Your annotation should include the following:

• reference

• four (4) in-text citations at least

• an introduction

• five (5) major points

• a critical response based on the author’s argument

• appropriate use of language

Critical thinking skills are important for students to improve their academic
performance. Research suggests that a more in-depth focus on enhancing critical
thinking skills can add academic rigor and increase their scores on assessments
(VanTassel-Baska, Bracken, Feng, & Brown, 2009; McCollister & Sayler, 2010;
Snodgrass, 2011; Tsai, Chen, Chang, & Chang, 2013). By utilising activities to
enhance critical thinking, students are better able to understand why something has
occurred as opposed to just knowing what has occurred. This deeper understanding
allows the students to better analyse the circumstances surrounding the occurrence
and differing viewpoints on the issue (Tsai et al., 2013).

Critical thinking can be infused in lessons irrespective of the discipline through in depth
analysis of both data and sources (McCollister & Sayler, 2010). Having students
examine the information forces them to look at the information as a process, rather
than just facts to be memorised. This helps them to develop recognition and prediction
skills, which are an integral part of critical thinking. Evaluation of information
and sources helps students to learn appropriate procedures for finding and utilising
credible information (McCollister & Sayler, 2010). They added that this also helps
students learn acceptable and appropriate ways to use discretion. These critical
thinking skills will help with reading comprehension and problem-solving, which play
an important role in standardized assessments (VanTassel-Baska et al., 2009;
McCollister & Sayler, 2010; Tsai et al., 2013).

Activities based on critical thinking could be worked into the normal class hours,
without requiring additional class time (Snodgrass, 2011). The researcher suggests
that this can be done by simply utilising instructional materials such as online

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discussion boards, in-class discussions, or alternative modes of assessment in
classroom settings. It is also important that any changes to the curriculum be met with
training on the new activities and on how to utilise them to their fullest
effect. Professional learning communities allow educators to think critically about the
methods employed in the classroom (Smith & Szymanski, 2013).

It is important for educators to understand that the role they play in developing critical
thinking is different from the role they play in a typical classroom setting. In order to
engage students in critical thinking, the educators need to act as facilitators to allow
discussions and encourage a freer thought process. This also promotes the
understanding that thinking critically does not always end with a right answer,
instead sometimes ends in more questions (Halx & Reybold, 2005; Arend, 2009). The
educators’ role as facilitators also encourages a peer review process, and helps
students to learn appropriate responses to conflicting evaluations and opinions
(Henderson-Hurley & Hurley, 2013; Tsai et al., 2013). Activities such as writing essays
and utilising questions that adhere to Bloom’s Taxonomy higher order thinking are
examples of ways to engage students in critical thinking in the classroom (Smith &
Szymanski, 2013).

The development of critical thinking skills is not merely for core subjects such as
reading, math, language arts, science, and social studies. Kokkidou (2013) suggests
that critical thinking can also be developed in music education by examining musical
environment, comparing and contrasting different eras or pieces of music, and self-
evaluation of performance. As such educators, regardless of the discipline they are in,
should be able to promote critical thinking skills in their classroom.

2009, Retrieved and adapted from http://www.edarticle.com/articles/43448/the-

importance-of-teaching-critical-thinking.php#.VAVceZUcSM8, Ronda Blevins, Journal
of Developmental Education, Vol 27, Issue 1, pgs 36-41

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