Increase Students’

Critical Thinking By Marija Nedevska

Skills Metodi Mitevski Brico Primary
Shool
Lozovo
What Do We Mean by the Term ‘Critical Thinking?’
Firstly, there is no single, commonly agreed definition of the term ‘critical thinking’.
However, most commonly as teachers we use it to refer to what are known as the higher-
order thinking skills.
These higher-order thinking skills are skills that require us to think in a deeper, more complex
manner.
If you are familiar with Bloom’s taxonomy, think of the upper levels of the hierarchy - analyze,
evaluate, create. We could also add infer to this list of critical thinking skills.
Put simply, critical thinking requires the student to engage in an objective analysis of a topic
and evaluate the available information in order to form a judgment.
Critical thinking demands a systematic approach to evaluating new information. It
encourages us to question and reflect on our own knowledge and how we arrive at the
opinions we have and make the decisions we make.
STATE IT: What is Critical
Thinking?

A self-directed process by
which we take deliberate steps to
think at the
highest level of quality.

• Critical thinking is skillful,

responsible thinking
that is conducive to good
judgment because it is
sensitive to context, relies on
criteria, and is self-correcting.
 EXAMPLE: Critical Thinking is…
Analysis of Evaluation of Improvement of
thinking by thinking by thinking by
focusing on the focusing on the using what you
parts (“the quality (“the have learned
Elements” Standards”)
 Teaching Strategies: A Step-by-Step Approach to Critical Thinking
1. Format the Question - The key to this filtration process is the formulation of the research question. How the question is composed
and formatted will inform exactly what information the student is looking for and what information can be discarded. The type of question
formatted here will depend on the purpose of the research. For example, is the question intended to establish knowledge? Then, it may
well be a straightforward for example, What are the consequences of a diet high in processed sugars? If the question is geared more
towards the use of that information or knowledge, then the question may be more of a Why type question, for example, Why do some
commentators claim that a diet high in processed sugars is the greatest threat facing public health?
2. Gather the Information - Once the question has been clearly defined, then the process of gathering the information begins.
Students should frequently refer back to their research question to ensure they are maintaining their focus. As they gather information in
relation to their question, reference to their initial question will help them to determine the relevance of the information in front of them.
They can then weigh up whether or not the information is helpful in moving them further towards answering their initial research question.
3. Apply the Information - The most practical application of this skill is seen when it is used to inform decision-making. When faced
with making a decision, encourage students to reflect on the concepts at work in regards to the choice they face. 4
4. Explore Other Points of View - Exploring alternative viewpoints helps us to evaluate our own choices and to avoid stagnating in
our own biases and innate preferences. Doing this helps us to make the most informed decisions possible.
Also you can use this methods:
1. Make lesson plans that include thinking skills- it means that you can ask thought –
provoking questions such as “ How do you know?”….. As them to tell what they understand.

2. Connect the problem with students experience

3.Asking questions: developing thinking skills requires students to:

-raise issues
-discover ideas and things for solution
- find problematic areas
- find evidence and make conclusions
• Open-minded • Aware
• Honest • Welcome criticism
• Courage • Indipendent
• Passion
CRITICAL THINKING

SEE-I Method

SEE-I is an acronym; it stands for the steps

or concepts listed below.

State it
Elaborate
Example
Illustrate

SEE-I is an easy-to-use and methodical

critical thinking technique that
helps writers clarify their ideas.
 Benefits of critical thinking the students can find in
Benefits of developing everyday life, like:
thinking skills Academic performance-understand arguments and
beliefs of others
Workplace - get a deeper understanding of our own
and other decisions, encourage open-mindedness to
change being more analytical in solving problems
Daily life- help to avoid making foolish personal
decisions
 CONCLUSION

When students develop their thinking skills, they also develop their other skills like:

- Listening - Speaking skills

- Creative skills - Social skills

- Communication - Verbal and reading skills