Dr. Chris McMillan, Academic Skills Adviser

Today: An introduction to critical thinking and thinking independently at university

25th October: Critical Reading and Critiquing Research

1st November: Understanding and developing arguments

8th November: Critical Writing

1. Develop an awareness of the importance of critical thinking

2. Understand the core elements of critical thinking and analysis

3. Be able to apply these insights to reading, research and writing assignments

4. Develop a sense of ourselves as critical scholars

Participation is strongly encouraged, but not demanded.

We must all respect each other’s views: argue the idea, not the person

Critical thinking is an attitude rather than a set of skills.

You do need to challenge your comfort zone.

Thinking critically can produce some interesting ideas and debates

It can also raise some anxieties when ideas challenge our strongly held notions

It is very important that we discuss issues with respect

What do you think?

Consider the basic elements of critical thinking

Understand the importance of critical thinking

Identify some of the barriers to thinking critically

Discuss how to move past these barriers

In groups, create a mind-map of all the possible elements of critical thinking

Can you add any specific examples of when you have had to think critically?

Moving from remembering, recording and describing information to analysing, evaluating and synthesising knowledge

Describing Analysing and Evaluating

Critical thinking is a questioning attitude, rather than a set of skills

Independent and active learning is essential at university ◦ The ability to analyse, evaluate and synthesise is vital to producing

high quality academic work

Reasoning and analysis skills are highly valued by employers ◦ Need to be able to think for yourself and make independent

judgements

Universities have a vital role in democratic societies

Having a critical identity makes you a more interesting

person!

Universities act as the ‘critic and conscience of society’

More than producing skilled graduates, democratic societies require critical consumers of information to hold those in authority to account

University scholar’s seek to move beyond describing what is known to analysing and evaluating what is claimed as knowledge

On your piece of paper, hold up the number you most agree with

“I like straightforward classes where there are not a lot of different ideas for the same thing. I just want to know the facts”

1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 3. Not Sure 4. Disagree 5. Strongly Disagree

“Everybody has the right to their own opinion and

ideas. Who am I do decide what is right and wrong”

1. Strongly Agree 2. Agree 3. Not Sure 4. Disagree 5. Strongly Disagree

“I like arguing about competing ideas and coming to my own conclusion”

1. Strongly Agree

2. Agree

3. Not Sure

4. Disagree

5. Strongly Disagree

Critical thinking is a developmental process

Certainty

Relativism

Constructed Knowledge

Are you critical?

Write for one minute on whether you are an independent thinker in your life and at university. Is it something you find difficult, or does it come naturally?

What is your biggest barrier to becoming a more critical thinker?

A. Lack of knowledge of subject

B. Respect for authority and tradition

C. Underdeveloped thinking skills

D. Avoiding conflict

Cultural factors ◦ Respect for authority

Lack of Knowledge ◦ Critical thinking skills

◦ In-depth knowledge of the subject

Psychological factors ◦ Avoiding conflict

◦ Feeling overawed

Do not avoid conflict

You are a scholar too: do not be in awe of experts

Cultural awareness ◦ Engaging with conflicting points of view ◦ Reading widely ◦ Interacting with others from a different background

Attitude ◦ Being prepared to challenge knowledge and hold a

questioning attitude

Knowledge ◦ Developing critical thinking processes ◦ Having an in-depth knowledge of the subject

Discuss in your groups:

Think one core opinion that you hold strongly. How did you come to think this way? What could cause you to change your mind?

Sources of knowledge:

Family, teachers, experience, books, lecturers, media, evidence?

Read through the three articles – two are false, one is correct

In your groups, discuss which you think is true ◦ Why do you think this is true?

◦ What further questions would you want to ask to be more convinced?

Discuss your argument with the group

What has been the toughest part of today so far? Write it down in a paragraph

Or,

How does the idea of critical thinking and questioning authority make you feel? Why do you think this is?

Developing critical thinking skills is vital both for succeeding at university and in the workplace

Critical thinking requires moving from assuming what is known to questioning that knowledge

Critical thinking requires a questioning attitude

Critical thinking is a developmental process

25th October: Critical Reading and Critiquing Research

1st November: Understanding and developing arguments

8th November: Critical Writing

Contact ASK at ask@brunel.ac.uk or chris.mcmillan@brunel.ac.uk

Check out the ASK u-link/Blackboard Learn section for interactive resources

Come by our drop-ins, Monday-Friday,

12 – 2 pm and Tuesday evenings 5-7 pm