A Word About Critical Thinking In The Classroom
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Today I'd like to share some info I found concerning what students have to look forward to. A recent study showed that students are more likely to face challenges finding work later in life if they fail to exercise critical thinking skills and be civically engaged in college. The researchers used a standardized testing evaluation of higher education to paint a picture of 925 students’ success after graduation from college. Those in the bottom fifth of this population were three times more likely be unemployed than graduates in the top fifth of the group. The bottom fifth were also more likely to have accumulated credit card debt, and twice as likely to live at home with their parents.
This study reaffirms the emphasis many education professionals place on critical thinking and social engagement. In the recent State of the Union speech, President Obama said, “I also hear from many business leaders who want to hire in the United States but can’t find workers with the right skills.” Jobs in these growing industries such as science and technology require strong critical thinking skills, and, according to the president, “there are twice as many openings as we have workers who can do the job.”
Teachers who want to assist their students in developing and strengthening critical thinking skills have many teaching strategies at their disposal. Activities that include suggested activities that focus on critical thinking strategies are recommended for proper critical thinking development. From flip charts and card sets for teachers, to activity books for students, Mentoring Minds emphasizes the advancement of critical thinking skills and higher order thinking.
Recent studies have measured achievement in college, however it should be noted that such skills are conceived at a much earlier age. If educators are expecting students to develop their critical thinking skills beginning in college, they should not be surprised with poor results as this is an indication of the study. Age-appropriate teaching strategies encourage creative thinking and problem solving at every level. Teachers who seek to go beyond memorization and facilitate meaningful classroom discussion are able to hone their students’ critical thinking skills at any age. Regardless of subject matter or grade level, critical thinking is an essential part of every student’s learning experience.
Civic engagement is also important to a college graduate’s success later in life. It is not practical to expect this trait to bloom in students as they enter college, neither from kindergarten and onward. Students of every age can engage in their local communities and extracurricular activities. Teachers who teach lesson plans that are historically and culturally relevant to modern society help their students engage civically. Without a context for their lesson plans, whether it’s multiplication tables in second grade or American history in high school, the material is essentially useless.
Today I'd like to share some info I found concerning what students have to look forward to. A recent study showed that students are more likely to face challenges finding work later in life if they fail to exercise critical thinking skills and be civically engaged in college. The researchers used a standardized testing evaluation of higher education to paint a picture of 925 students’ success after graduation from college. Those in the bottom fifth of this population were three times more likely be unemployed than graduates in the top fifth of the group. The bottom fifth were also more likely to have accumulated credit card debt, and twice as likely to live at home with their parents.
This study reaffirms the emphasis many education professionals place on critical thinking and social engagement. In the recent State of the Union speech, President Obama said, “I also hear from many business leaders who want to hire in the United States but can’t find workers with the right skills.” Jobs in these growing industries such as science and technology require strong critical thinking skills, and, according to the president, “there are twice as many openings as we have workers who can do the job.”
Teachers who want to assist their students in developing and strengthening critical thinking skills have many teaching strategies at their disposal. Activities that include suggested activities that focus on critical thinking strategies are recommended for proper critical thinking development. From flip charts and card sets for teachers, to activity books for students, Mentoring Minds emphasizes the advancement of critical thinking skills and higher order thinking.
Recent studies have measured achievement in college, however it should be noted that such skills are conceived at a much earlier age. If educators are expecting students to develop their critical thinking skills beginning in college, they should not be surprised with poor results as this is an indication of the study. Age-appropriate teaching strategies encourage creative thinking and problem solving at every level. Teachers who seek to go beyond memorization and facilitate meaningful classroom discussion are able to hone their students’ critical thinking skills at any age. Regardless of subject matter or grade level, critical thinking is an essential part of every student’s learning experience.
Civic engagement is also important to a college graduate’s success later in life. It is not practical to expect this trait to bloom in students as they enter college, neither from kindergarten and onward. Students of every age can engage in their local communities and extracurricular activities. Teachers who teach lesson plans that are historically and culturally relevant to modern society help their students engage civically. Without a context for their lesson plans, whether it’s multiplication tables in second grade or American history in high school, the material is essentially useless.