1. Critical Thinking & Competencies
Dakin Burdick, 2011
dakinburdick@yahoo.com

2. What Critical Thinking Means to Students
First-year critical thinking and problem solving challenges reported by University of Washington students in personal interviews (n=133).

3. Propaganda in the 1930s
Badge of the German American Bund.
Patch of the American Liberty League.

4. The ability to think critically... involves three things: (1) an attitude of being disposed to consider in a thoughtful way the problems and subjects that come within the range of ones experiences, (2) knowledge of the methods of logical inquiry and reasoning, and (3) some skill in applying those methods.
Edward M. Glaser, An Experiment in the Development of Critical Thinking (New York: Teachers College, Columbia University, 1941), p. 123.
Glaser on Critical Thinking (1941)

5. Critical thinking has three components: an attitude of carefully considering problems, knowledge of logical inquiry methods, and skill in applying those methods.
Edward M. Glaser, Critical Thinking: Educating for Responsible Citizenship in a Democracy, National Forum: Phi Kappa Phi Journal, 65:1 (1985), pp. 24-27.
Glaser on Critical Thinking (1985)

6. Liberal Education vs. Rhetoric
There is no point in winning an argument if you know or suspect you are wrong.
Mortimer Adler (1940). How to Read a Book.
Given a sympathetic audience, you can always find some explanation as to why the opposition is so stupid and save yourself the trouble of having to deal logically with its arguments.
Nicolas Capaldi (1971). The Art of Deception:
An Introduction to Critical Thinking.

7. And that brings us back here
First-year critical thinking and problem solving challenges reported by University of Washington students in personal interviews (n=133).

8. http://www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel/pyramid.aspx?at=Y

9. http://www.careeronestop.org/competencymodel/pyramid.aspx?at=Y

10.

11. O*Net defines critical thinking as:
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
http://www.onetonline.org/skills/result?s=2.A.2.a&g=Go

12. Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Science
Communication Listening & Speaking
Critical & Analytic Thinking
Basic Computer Skills

13. Some Cognitive Strategies
Note-taking
Organizing
Predicting & clarifying
Prediction
Prioritizing
Projection
Questioning & answering
Reciprocal teaching
Restating or Paraphrasing
Reviewing
Rote rehearsal
Self-questioning
Situated learning
Situational awareness
Sourcing
Summarizing
Thinking aloud
Underlining
Analogies
Analyzing form and function
Applying taxonomies
Chunking
Concept mapping
Cumulative rehearsal
Disassociating
Elaborating
Framing
Giving working memory a break
Graphic representations
Imagery or Imagination
Keyword
Listing similarities or differences
Metaphors
Mnemonics
Multiple intelligences or Active Experiencing

14. Blooms Three Domains of Education
Cognitive: Mental Skills (Knowledge)
Affective: Feelings or Emotions (Attitude)
Psychomotor: Manual or Physical Skills
Benjamin S. Bloom, Ed., Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals. Handbook I: Cognitive Domain. New York: McKay, 1956.

15. So Why Identify Disciplinary Skills?
It will help our students gain expertise.
Identifying disciplinary competencies helps link our efforts in education to student employment.
We are experts. We can and should help define those competencies.

16. Thanks! I hope you found this useful!