Teaching Critical Thinking: A Helpful View

One of my early guides in the faculty development realm, Linda Nilson of Clemson, wrote this;

https://www.facultyfocus.com/articles/effective-teaching-strategies/teaching-critical-thinking-practical-points/?st=FFdaily;s=FF181004;utm_term=FF181004&utm_source=ActiveCampaign&utm_medium=email&utm_content=Teaching+Critical+Thinking&utm_campaign=FF181004

It is short and worth the read. As I have posted before, there is not really agreement on what critical thinking is, but research shows it's best taught in a disciplinary context and through questioning (thank you, ancients, for giving us that idea).

It also requires humility, and I would say that starts with the faculty member. Too many faculty think that "critical thinking" means "thinking like me."

I saw that last week in a group of women professors where we were discussing our own fiction. One said she was so disgusted about the Brett Kavanaugh issue. I was, and am still, perplexed as to why anyone would conclude he was guilty with no evidence other than a woman's accusation. Teachers of all people should be skeptical of accusations, since we get accused of all kinds of things. I am not saying he couldn't have done what was accused, or that he was incapable of it. He might very well have done it, but there is no evidence right now beyond an accusation. I had more trouble with his ideas of presidential power, actually. The whole thing smelled.

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