critical thinking clarity accuracy

Now that we know the stages of critical thinking and have a better understanding of how to improve, we need to think about how we will measure our progress.  What types of standards will we need to hold our thinking to in order to ensure we are thinking critically?  What types of questions can we ask ourselves to double check our thinking?  Paul & Elder (2012) give us the basic, universal standards and as a reminder, I have them listed here:

· Clarity

· accuracy

· precision

· relevance

· depth

· breadth

· logic

· significance

· Fairness

Which are the ones that you think you currently struggle in terms of meeting in your thinking (in other words, what would be your areas of opportunity)?  Why did you choose what you did and how can you go about beginning to fix it?

References:

Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2012). Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your learning and your life (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

Last week, we looked at the influence that outside sources like family, friends, and the media have on our ability to think critically.  We've also spent the last week reviewing how we should evaluate our evidence sources to ensure they are reliable and credible.  This week, we will look specifically at the media and how what they deliver may not be as objective and bias free as you would hope.

Paul & Elder (2012) give us a list of myths that you may or may not believe about various forms of media.  Those myths include:

· that most news stories are produced through independent investigative journalism

· that news writers simply report facts in their stories and do not come to conclusions about them

· that fact and opinion are clearly separated in constructing the news

· that there is an objective reality (the actual "news") that is simply "reported" or described by the news media of the world (our news media writers reporting on this objectively; the media of foreign enemies systematically slanting and distorting it)

· that what is unusual (novel, odd, bizarre) is news; what is usual is not (Paul & Elder, 2012)

Class, do you agree with these myths? Why or why not? Are there any that surprise you? Why?

References:

Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2012). Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your learning and your life (3rd ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson.

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