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Kashmir Academy Aiou Research Proposal or Thesis B.Ed Project 8613
Kashmir Academy Aiou Research Proposal or Thesis B.Ed Project 8613
FAISAL FARID
CONTACT # 0345-5395288
WHATSAPP #03125043992
Q.1 Why to you think critically thinking is important for teachers and learning’s in
twenty century?
Answer:
Today, critical thinking is considered as one of the most important skills for career success
Academia, business and policy makers all concur on its importance. The USA-based
Partnership for 21st Century Skills (P21) organization and the American Management
Association list it as a key 21st century skill “expected to become even more important in
the future.”
In the context of the UAE and the national agenda, it gains even more importance as
ensuring students are equipped with critical thinking skills is primordial to achieving a
Critical thinking has been identified as a key skill to foster innovation. Research shows that
critical thinking and creativity are correlated. Critical thinking training is becoming
It is a required building block for a STEM education. Subjects in the STEM curriculum teach
students how to think critically and how to solve problems — skills that can be used
On both accounts, critical thinking is key to the fulfillment of the UAE’s aspiration outlined
in the Vision 2021 that “science, technology and innovation become the real drivers for
launched Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) policy. In fact, it permeates many of
In this context, critical thinking becomes more than a skill; it’s a mindset, often requiring
a culture shift. For us educators, we recognize that is easier to create a culture rather than
shift it. Therefore, we believe that nurturing critical thinking from a young age at school
One educational system that has adopted critical thinking as an essential part of its
It is a system that relies on active learning methods for children, starting from a very young
age. It provides a framework for the learning and teaching methods that can encourage
critical and independent thinking in children and facilitates the process of learning in
students. Leading educators agree that a curriculum aimed at building thinking skills
would benefit not only the individual learner but also the community, and society at large.
Against this new paradigm, the role of education, teachers and students inevitably must
change. Today the role of the teacher in a progressive environment is very much different
to that in a traditional classroom. Teachers need to move from primarily being the
Teachers will become facilitators, guides, mentors, sources and resources that support
children in acquiring independent thinking and ‘learning for life’, stemming from the
unique blend of traditional and experiential learning that progressive education offers.
At Clarion, the only school to date offering progressive education in the UAE, our teachers
have the benefit of experience with and education from the world’s leader in progressive
progressive education, Bank Street has been tasked by the US Department of Education
to guide the development of the curricula of schools around the United States to equip
the students with the optimal education to prepare them for STEM-based and other
Empowered with the right education and values, children who grow up in the UAE have
an opportunity to become truly global citizens and role models to children all over the
world.
As educators, it is our responsibility to ignite in them a natural curiosity for the world
around them, the confidence to develop their independence of thinking and harness their
joy for learning. It’s a gift they will carry with them throughout their entire lives and one
that will serve them well as they grow into the leaders, innovators, scientists and shapers
of tomorrow.
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Answer:
Critical Theory (or "social Critical Theory") is a school of thought that stresses the reflective
assessment and critique of society and culture by applying knowledge from the social
sciences and the humanities. As a term, Critical Theory has two meanings with different
origins and histories: the first originated in sociology and the second originated in literary
criticism, whereby it is used and applied as an umbrella term that can describe a theory
founded upon critique; thus, the theorist Max Horkheimer described a theory as critical
insofar as it seeks "to liberate human beings from the circumstances that enslave them".
In sociology and political philosophy, the term Critical Theory describes the neo-Marxist
philosophy of the Frankfurt School, which was developed in Germany in the 1930s. This
use of the term requires proper noun capitalization, whereas "a critical theory" or "a critical
social theory" may have similar elements of thought, but not stress its intellectual lineage
specifically to the Franfurt School. Frankfurt School theorists drew on the critical methods
of Karl Marx and Sigmund Freud. Critical Theory maintains that ideology is the principal
primarily by the Frankfurt School theoreticians Herbert Marcuse, Theodor Adorno, Max
Horkheimer, Walter
Benjamin, and Erich Fromm. Modern Critical Theory has additionally been influenced by
György Lukács and Antonio Gramsci, as well as the second generation Frankfurt School
scholars, notably Jürgen Habermas. In Habermas's work, Critical Theory transcended its
Concern for social "base and superstructure" is one of the remaining Marxist philosophical
While critical theorists have been frequently defined as Marxist intellectuals, their
tendency to denounce some Marxist concepts and to combine Marxian analysis with other
Jay has stated that the first generation of Critical Theory is best understood as not
promoting a specific philosophical agenda or a specific ideology, but as "a gadfly of other
systems".
themselves directly with critical theory (McLaren, 1994a), a number of influential educators
are pursuing the theory in one or more of its current manifestations. Henry Giroux and
Peter McLaren are among the best known of today's critical theorists, and we find critical
critical pedagogy (Kanpol, 1994); power (Apple, 1993; Cherryholmes, 1988); teaching
(Beyer, 1986; Gibson, 1986; Henricksen & Morgan, 1990; Simon, 1992; Weiler & Mitchell,
1992); curriculum
(Apple, 1990; Giroux, Penna & Pinar, 1981; Beyer & Apple, 1988; Pinar, 1988; Castenell &
Pinar, 1993); feminist pedagogies (Ellsworth, 1989a; Lather, 1991; Luke & Gore, 1992);
1991); and research using methods of the critical sciences (Carr & Kemmis, 1986; Grumet,
1992).
critical theory to education, and in A Critical Theory of Education, Young (1990) tries to
present a rather complete picture of Habermas's critical theory and its relations to
education. Young says that critical theorists believe that extreme rationalization has lent
of education, this led to a view of pedagogy as manipulation, while curriculum was divided
into value-free subjects and value-based subjects where values were located
decisionistically. The older view of pedagogy as a moral/ethical and practical art was
Young (1990) further points out that Habermas and other critical theorists believe that:
We are on the threshold of a learning level characterised by the personal maturity of the
participation and responsibility for all. We fall short of this because of the one-sided
Another seminal thinker who is responsible for several notions of critical theory in
education is Paulo Freire. Freire's work, especially Pedagogy of the Oppressed (Freire,
and out of the classroom) and grounded in the painful yet empowering process of
structures of domination are laid bare and political engagement is imperative. This unique
fusion of social theory, moral outrage, and political praxis constitutes a kind of
active subjects of history* ready to make a fundamental difference in the quality of the
lives they individually and collectively live. Freire's genius is to explicate ... and exemplify
... the dynamics of this process of how ordinary people can and do make history in how
1993, p. xiii).
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Answer:
Teaching critical thinking skills is a necessity with our students because they’re crucial for
living life. As such, every teacher is looking for exciting ways to integrate it into classrooms.
However, what exactly are these skills, and what are some of the best strategies teachers
Thinking critically is more than just thinking clearly or rationally; it’s about thinking
independently. It means formulating your own opinions and drawing your conclusions
connections between ideas, and being wide open to other viewpoints and opinions.
You can use these techniques for teaching critical thinking skills in every lesson and
subject.
Get creative and find different ways to incorporate them into your teaching practices.
Starting with a question is the most straightforward foray into the subject. What do you
want to explore and discuss? It shouldn’t be a question you can answer with a ‘yes’ or a
‘no.’ You want to develop essential questions here, ones that inspire a quest for
knowledge and problem-solving. They’ll support the development of critical thinking skills
beautifully.
When you pose your question to students, encourage brainstorming. Write down possible
2. CREATE A FOUNDATION
Students cannot think critically if they do not have the information they need. Begin any
exercise with a review of related data which ensures they can recall facts pertinent to the
Classical literary works are a perfect launch pad for exploring great thinking. Use them for
specific lessons on character motivation, plot predictions, and theme. Here are some links
• Skeptic North
4. CREATING A COUNTRY
This could be a tremendous project-based learning scenario about learning what makes
a country. In the process, students learn history, geography, politics, and more. Here are
life. It’s about learning how to dig through knowledge to find the most useful and
appropriate facts for solving a problem. Students must learn to amass the proper expertise
There is comfort in numbers, as the saying goes. Digital kids thrive in environments
involving teamwork and collaboration. Show kids their peers are an excellent source of
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Q.4 Write a dairy record of a full day of your life? Write down a detailed reflection
in a day using the guideline of reflective writing?
Answer:
"Your words are the bricks and mortar of the dreams you want to realize. Your words are
the greatest power you have. The words you choose and their use establish the life you
Whether we are young or old, we all have a story to tell, something to express and to offer
the world. Writing activities, and in particular reflective writing, fosters our creativity which
is driven by our life experiences. A growing body of research finds that writing about our
responses to events, situations or new information can have a variety of health benefits.
anxiety and depression, improve mood, self-esteem and positive thinking, help process
broken relationships, help ease symptoms associated with trauma, chronic pain and
Writer Ann Turkle says that, in effect, journaling "becomes a record of generous attention
paid to the immediate moment." Setting aside time to write and reflect helps us make
sense of the world around us, validates our experiences, helps us regroup and find balance
in our busy lives, and be a vehicle for decision making, change and growth.
1. Begin with a gracious heart: writing for ourselves is not about being the best writer,
having the correct spelling and grammar, or even having the nicest handwriting. Letting
go of what we think we should write about requires courage and can lead to boundless
creative possibilities. A journal is a safe place for us to work things out, express our
2. Set the tone: Carve out a special time and place to write. We each have a time of
day when we are more productive. For some, writing in the mornings is more productive
and helps face the day while others prefer writing in the evening to help process the day's
events. Whether in a quiet area of the house, or in a bustling coffee shop, finding the right
our bag or purse can help us record and retrieve special moments in our day.
3. Decide what type of journal to begin: Gratitude journals focus on life's blessings,
prayer journals record life moments or people in need prayer, and personal development
journals track career goals. Fitness journals help maintain accountability and
encountering new places and people, and art journals serve as a way to collect
inspirational thoughts, images, sketches and clippings. Take your pick! 4. Use a variety of
Write about two moments you'll never forget, five words that best describe you and 10
things that make you smile. Limiting ourselves to certain parameters helps us focus.
b) Stream of consciousness writing: Based on Julia Cameron's The Artists Way, write down
whatever comes to mind for three minutes. Putting un-edited thoughts to paper is an
excellent meditative practice for our busy lives. c) Write a letter to yourself: Record your
goals, what you want your life to look like in a year's time, and ways you can attempt to
achieve it. Seal it and open it in six months to see how you are doing. d) Pick a memento:
Choose an object and write about when, where and from who it was received. Discuss its
importance and meaning. Objects have the power to open floodgates to meaningful
memories.
5. Seek out community resources: Look for local writers' groups either at the library or
community centre, local creative arts classes that have writing components, or even swap
questions that may not have answers, a place for thoughts that may otherwise not have a
home and a safe container for emotions so that they do not have to be loose in the world."
(Kelly Brown)
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Q.5 Use Gibbs model and write a reflection report of an interaction between two
students or between two teachers in a school environment?
Answer:
Over the last three months we have been taking part in a number of different activities,
which wouldn’t normally be included in Physical Education in schools. These included Tai
Chi, Martial Arts, Rowing, Skipping and Parkour just to name a few. Whitehead (2010)
suggested that by acquiring a range of movement skills and patterns I would find it easier
to access a variety of structured physical activity settings. By taking part in these activities
I was able to develop my own knowledge and skills and also see how I could take these
activities and develop my skills in that area to then bring them into schools when I become
a physical educator. These different activities gave me a chance to develop other parts of
Most of the sessions that I had taken part in I had never done before and therefore wasn’t
physically literate in those areas, some of the sessions also put us into new learning
therefore I was able to observe the group and watch their development through each
activity and also see if I noticed any reoccurring incidents. One thing I did notice was the
divide between the males and females of the group and the different levels of confidence
they had. Lirgg (1993) found that males preferred mixed sex classes in schools as they felt
more confident, however the females preferred same sex classes as there was more
Another thing that was noticed was the different levels of motivation the students had for
each different activity. Whitehead (2010) defined motivation to be a drive and eagerness
The majority of sports we took part in caused some of us to feel apprehensive and nervous
about taking part as we had never tried them before. However, there were a few sports
activities that didn’t really cause any of us to feel apprehensive, which were handball and
volleyball. This was because these sports activities had been carried out before in schools
or clubs, I also think as we were in teams and it became really competitive as a group we
fell back into our comfort zones. Whereas street dance and Tai Chi definitely made us feel
out of our comfort zones, this was because a lot of us hadn’t experienced activities where
Some individuals found this quite hard as they seemed to feel embarrassed, we were
asked to get into groups and make up a routine to show at the end of the session, out of
eight groups only two volunteered to perform as the majority of us were all too
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embarrassed and didn’t feel comfortable doing it. Comfort zones can be defined as an
DePaul (2011) suggested that by letting go of the fear of making mistakes will help
individuals learn to accept mistakes will be made and try to compete anyway. When
comparing this reaction to that of Handball there was a huge difference in confidence
levels and motivation levels just because that competitive team environment is what we
are used to.
Feelings
When I found out what activities we were going to be doing in this module I felt very
excited and motivated to take part in all of them. Whitehead (2010) proposed that young
individuals need to be aware of different activities and the movement demands they
possess, they also need to gain a rich variety of experiences, therefore it was going to be
A few of the sessions, for example martial arts and rowing, I was feeling very apprehensive
about before, martial arts being something I had never done before and new it would
include some sort of wrestling which I didn’t feel comfortable about and rowing
something that I had always wanted to try but had never been brave enough.
By trying these new sports which I wasn’t used to taking part in I was able to see how I
suggested that a physically literate individual is able to read the environment taking
shape, size, weight, surface and speed into account All of these can be linked to rowing,
and all of which I found really difficult to read and cope with, however as the rowing
Evaluation
Taking part in all of the different activities was really beneficial for my own personal
development through Physical Education. I was able to experience and attempt skills that
I had never tried before and learn and progress at the same time. A few of the skills really
tested our motivation and confidence levels and put us out of our comfort zones, for
and close, however this is what we had to do to learn the skill, and the amount of
confidence we had and motivation was what kept us attempting the skills. Whitehead
(2010) realises that complex environments can include those where we move as
to interact and move with another individual. Physically literate individuals should hold
Teacher interactions was one really good experience that I took from the different physical
activities, in Handball, the coach really interacted with us and was asking questions on
what our team was doing well and what we needed to do to improve and try and win.
Whitehead (2010) suggested that the interaction between the coach and the participant
is critical for the development of physical literacy. However in Parkour, the coach seemed
to become frustrated when students decided they couldn’t carry out the tasks and they
individuals responses adapt and redirect the tasks so that participants do want to take
part (Whitehead 2010). Observing these different types of teacher interactions helped me
learn which the best way to help students progress in their lessons.
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FAISAL FARID
CONTACT # 0345-5395288
WHATSAPP #03125043992