Well, I am no longer in the classroom so teaching, modeling and engaging students to think critically is not something I "do" anymore. However, because I develop these online courses for our students I try to work with our Subject Matter Experts to create amazing content. Not just more content or loads of information BUT good quality content. Therefore, we try to think through out assessments. Obviously, we are always going to have a quiz or two and a test BUT we are trying to come up with quality assessments, not just quantity. In turn, our kids are having to think through solutions, pull in from previous knowledge, maybe apply something they have learned from another subject area to complete a project.
I think that critical thinking can be different from person to person. Therefore, when asked what else I need to learn to be able to incorporate this or embrace critical thinking, I think you always can be learning more about it as I think it probably is changing and evolving as we incorporate more technology and blended learning into our classrooms.
I am eager to continue to think through, think out, and incorporate good quality assessments that doesn't just "test" their knowledge BUT challenges their knowledge. I look forward to seeing how our students achieve and grow through encouraging them to think bigger and think deeper!
"...maybe apply something they have learned from another subject area to complete a project."
ReplyDeleteThat's good; that really challenges students to think critically. I love interdisciplinary assignments because it shows students that different content areas are connected. I think sometimes students don't realize that you can't be successful in one area without being proficient in another. For example, I'll have kids tell me they want to be vets, but they hate biology. It's great to love animals, but you also need to understand the science to a vet. They two aren't mutually exclusive.
Your post makes me wonder if we're (traditional classrooms) teaching kids to think critically about the wrong thing by focusing on one subject at at time. I mean, maybe K-12 curriculum standards don't always lend themselves to interdisciplinary projects/assignments, but suggests to kids that different subject areas are separate and unrelated. Perhaps, there should be more emphasis on interdisciplinary teaching and assignments to encourage bigger and deeper thinking?
I think in developing your sites along with the SME input you are having students think critically. Yes, you are not right there "with" the students, but how you present the material is of paramount importance in how students understand and interpret the information. So, the next time you are working with an SME on content, you can also consider how to provide information to a student that they can then analyze and come up with a decision they have made on their own.
ReplyDeleteDon't ever sell what you do short. You make an impact regardless if you "see" it or not with the content you present and in the way you present it.
Great point about us all having different processing skills ("I think that critical thinking can be different from person to person"). I agree. I think that we all go about processing information in different ways. We also all have different ways to process new information and ways to use our critical thinking abilities. I think part of being a great teacher is recognizing that and encouraging our students to think critically about critical thinking! :) I know, that's a mouthful. Just because we might see the solution right away or go about finding that solution in this manner, does not mean that the person sitting next to me will also solve them the same way I do. As a teacher I have to remind myself to always be mindful of that.
ReplyDeleteTwila, I agree that how you design assessments shapes what teachers will emphasize in class. Thus, quality assessments can certainly promote students' critical thinking. Not just asking students about facts but rather having them engage in deeper level thinking is how you would do, for example. I am looking forward to seeing your final project!!
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