ELC550

ANNOTATED BIBLOGRAPHY

(Sample article and question)

Read the following article:

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 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

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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

Based on the given article, write an annotation of 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