Discussion Forum Unit 4

1. After reading, the given text and watching the video I will like to define critical thinking in the following

ways.

What is critical thinking?

“Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing,
applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by,
observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its
exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity,
accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness”.
(Michael, S & Richard ,P,1987)

Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. It
involves the evaluation of sources, such as data, facts, observable phenomena, and research findings so as
to get the best possible solution to an imminent problem.

Critical thinking is the capacity to reason logically concerning a specific problem in an attempt to get the
best solution. Moreover, to become a critical thinker there is need to develop the following skills
observation, analyzation, interpretation, self-reflection, evaluation, find explanation, problem solving
and taking action.

Reference
Edward M. Glaser, An Experiment in the Development of Critical Thinking, Teacher’s College, Columbia
University, 1941

Doyle. A. (2020, June 8). Critical Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples Thought Co.
https://www.thoughtco.com/critical-thinking-definition-with-examples-2063745

2. Employers nowadays claiming that University graduates are lacking critical-thinking and problem solving
skills, In 2010, the Satisfaction Survey conducted in over 900 employers around US- “employers gave students
very low grades on nearly all of the 17 learning outcomes explored in the study”—including critical thinking—
and that students “judge themselves to be far better prepared for post-college success than do
employers.”(Jenkins, 2017)

According to Jenkins, 2017 graduate students graded themselves significantly higher with level of critical skills
and problem solving when the employers ranked them lower while critical thinking is a fundamental skill
required by employers in order to perform a job, whether manual work or office position.

Employers are expecting from graduates student to apply critical thinking as part of their problem solving
process, to be innovative and developed new ideas, employers are bound to ‘complain’ as they seek assurance,
development and originality from their employees.

The employers are mostly justified to make comments of poor critical-thinking and problem-solving skills
possessed by recent graduates since critical thinking is the cornerstone of self-development, and essential in
today’s job market, whilst, problem solving is the source of all new inventions, social and cultural evolution,
and the basis for market based economies.

Therefore, it is correct to say that Universities teaches some level of critical thinking, but is for the graduates to
apply critical thinking/ problem-solving skills in various in various aspect of life.

References:

Why College Graduates Still Can't Think: James G Martin Center. (2017, June 12).
https://www.jamesgmartin.center/2017/03/college-graduates-still-cant-think/

The foundation for critical thinking (n.d.). https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical- thinking/766