21st Century EducationCritical Thinking

Group 1: Matthew Jones, Mykel Rhett Dingess, Kayla Farmer, Kristen Ferrell

Critical Thinking DefinitionCritical Thinking is the first pillar of 21st Century Education. Critical thinking redefines what we learn and focuses on: • the question rather than the answer, • different points of view, • life experience (or what everyone brings to the table), • exploration of the problem, • the six degrees of separation (how everything is somehow related), • and interdisciplinary instruction (the instruction from multiple

disciplines as opposed to one school of thought).

Critical Thinking ImportanceCritical Thinking is one of the most important aspects to 21st Century Education. Critical Thinking is so important because it encourages:

• thinking outside the box, • combining knowledge to best solve a problem, • and critical thinking promotes working together to solve a problem.

With critical thinking, students are able to solve issues like never before. As a country, we need to move past memorizing facts for a test. Critical Thinking allows us to do this and promotes thinking on a lot deeper level.

• 21st Century helps us discipline our thinking, provide a clearer expression of ideas, and work to think “on our own” rather than relying on the “accepted method.”

• We can use 21st century in education by creating different lessons that require the students to use more than one thing.

• An example would be picking a real world topic for your students to learn about and having them not only use their textbook but technology as well.

• Example: Mystery Skype- The game is played by two classrooms on Skype and they ask each other questions until they guess location of the other classroom. This could be an interactive way of teaching how to find a location without using GPS. Students could investigate clues, interview others, use existing knowledge, etc. This would be cool as the students wouldn’t be told the location ahead of time and will be able to find it different ways.

How does it apply 21st century education?

An Example of It’s Application

The ozone layer is depleting by carbon admissions and is resulting in drastic climate changes, as reported by leading environmental administrations. However, some conservative groups are trying to debunk deeply rooted concepts in our thinking about ozone depletion.

• Should we rely upon reason whether than emotion? • Where does the evidence lead us?

Role of Technology in Critical Thinking

The role of technology is to expand a individuals thinking by providing information, challenging them to expand their life, and all while being at a touch of a finger.

Technology have connected us as a world, and is a ever expanding bank of knowledge for anyone to access.

- Voki can be used to use different “avatars” to teach different disciplines - Facebook to ask for thoughts and opinions - Twitter can be used for independent research on gaining the whole picture “both sides

of an argument” - Digital Imaging can be used to showcase one’s thinking in picture form - Arts and Bots can be used to present an idea in working form

Ease of accessIn this technological age that we live in everyone is connected.This allows us to use technology in our everyday life, classroom, or what ever can challenge you or force you to critically think “what helps.”

Works CitedNelson Critical Thinking Test. Paper Masters. Web. 3 Dec. 2014. <https://www.papermasters.com/nelson-critical-thinking-test.html>.

Hoole, Elijah. "The Importance of Critical Thinking." Stories of the Wind. Elijah Wind. Web. 3 Dec. 2014. <http://storiesofthewind.tumblr.com/post/45422532521/the-importance-of-critical-thinking>.

"Teknoloji Heryerde…." Disuzmaniniz. Web. 3 Dec. 2014. <http://www.disuzmaniniz.com/teknoloji-heryerde/>.

Pratana, Joseph. "The Spatial Thinking." Pratana Cofee Talk. Joseph Pratana. Web. 3 Dec. 2014. <http://www.pratanacoffeetalk.com/2013/10/the-spatial-thinking.html>.

Harden, Lisa. "Lisa Harden - Wilson ED 518." Wilson ED 518. Blogspot. Web. 3 Dec. 2014. <http://harden-wilsoned518.blogspot.com/2013/02/what-is-critical-thinking-definition.html>.

"Local Content and Service Report to the Community." KQED.org. KQED. Web. 3 Dec. 2014. <http://www.kqed.org/assets/pdf/about/kqed-cpblocalcontentservicereport021412.pdf>.