Perception

Critical thought is an essential part of being a good learner, at least in my opinion. There are some that disagree. Take for example the article from the Washington Post (Strauss, 07/09/2012). In this article it is pointed out how some oppose “the teaching of Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) (values clarification), critical thinking skills and similar programs that are simply a relabeling of Outcome-Based Education (OBE) (mastery learning) which focus on behavior modification and have the purpose of challenging the student’s fixed beliefs and undermining parental authority (Strauss, 07/09/2012).” Personally this made my blood boil, but it is not an uncommon sentiment.

Part of being able to think critically is the ability to not only see the small picture, but the big picture and be able to make out the pattern. Once you see the pattern it cannot be unseen. In this case the common sentiment that critical thought is bad comes from a variety of sources, but it essentially goes back to what is good for the corporations. The majority of jobs that need to be filled by corporate America are not jobs that most people that are thinking critically will desire long term. Most often it is not the work that is the issue, but the working conditions. The purpose of keeping labor costs as low as possible so that profits for those in positions of power can be as high as possible make it undesirable to hold most jobs. Since this is the case, it is desirable to have a workforce that does not examine the work conditions critically compared to what is and what fairly should be. Only those that are determined to be groomed for the positions of power and influence should ever be able to debate the merits of any given situation. Many tools and conventions are systematically used to keep things this way. For those that question the status quo punishment should be swift and harsh. Some may think that I am making a mountain out of a molehill, but part of having Asperger’s is the ability to see patterns. Truly look at and examine the conventions of our lives and ask yourselves, is it really that far-fetched?

You can also look at the piece by Sir Ken Robinson (Robinson, 2010). He makes the point much better and humorously than I ever could. It is my intent to not be part of the factory, but instead be part of empowering my students. I believe that the instruction of Forensic Debate is a great tool for this as at its core Debate is all about taking apart arguments, looking at them, judging them, and putting them back together in a manner that gets one closer to the truth.

However, there are some that say that critical thought cannot be taught. Look at the article by Daniel T Willingham (Willingham, 2007), who is professor of cognitive psychology at the University of Virginia and author of “Cognition: The Thinking Animal.” In this article he states arguments that critical thought cannot be taught. He cites that while there are many programs out there that purport to teach critical thought there is no substantive studies that show the effectiveness of these programs, nor are there peer reviewed studies of these programs. He goes on to talk about how if these programs were effective that there would be an increase of students, and now adults that displayed the use of critical thought in every aspect of their lives. His supposition is severely flawed. Thinking that just because one knows how to think critically that they will do so in every situation, or even at all is just too simplistic. It does not take into account human nature. No one critically examines every aspect of their lives, if they did they would never make it past their morning absolutions. Nor is it reasonable to believe that everyone that knows how to think critically will do so at all. This is for a variety of reasons. One, it is much easier to react instead of consider. Two, it is easier to accept an issue as presented without having to go through the work of examining it. Three, there are many cultures and religions that discourage what they call questioning, but is really critical thought. But what it all boils down to is that it is more time efficient and comfortable to accept than it is to think and most people are going to take the easy path every time, even if it does them harm.

The other thing that Mr. Willingham fails to consider is that correlation does not prove causation. As an example of what I mean by this take a look at the New York Times Article (Meier & Musick, June 29, 2012) that examines if family dinner is overrated. For many years it has been put forth that they is a correlation between students that spend time at family dinner with better educational scores. For many years time with family at dinner was assumed to be a causation of improved education, when it should have been clear from the start to any that could think about the matter critically that it was merely a correlation. More of the causation was the fact that students that were able to spend time with family at dinner often came from a more stable and affluent household with access to better supplies and regular support and nutrition.

The take away for all of this is that we are here to learn and if we do not examine all that is before us and actually consider it in depth than we are not only doing ourselves a disservice, but also those students that we will someday teach. No matter what grade level, or course that you teach it is important to not only question everything yourself, but to teach your students to do the same. After all it is only through asking the questions that we get the answers.

References

Meier, A., & Musick, K. (June 29, 2012, ). Is the family dinner overated. New York Times Sunday Review, pp. Opinion Page. Retrieved from http://www.nytimes.com/2012/07/01/opinion/sunday/is-the-family-dinner-overrated.html?_r=3

Robinson, K. (2010). Changing education paradigms. Retrieved August 30, 2011, from http://www.ted.com/talks/lang/eng/ken_robinson_changing_education_paradigms.html

Strauss, V. (07/09/2012, ). Texas GOP rejects ‘critical thinking’ skills. really. - the answer sheet - the washington post Washington Post, Retrieved from http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/post/texas-gop-rejects-critical-thinking-skills-really/2012/07/08/gJQAHNpFXW_blog.html

Willingham, D. T. (2007). Critical thinking: Why is it so hard to teach? American Educator, (Summer 2007), 07/12/2012.