chunyan shao (shandong university). learn to think critically

Chunyan Shao (Shandong University)

Learn to think critically

“Critical” in Latin means “to separate, to choose, to judge”

Critical thinking is a very complex mental process undertaken to deal with complex social, cultural, historical and academic issues.

It is essential to good writing because ,muddy thinking can only result in poor writing.

Critical thinking is a type of reasonable, reflective thinking that is aimed at deciding what to believe or what to do.

" includes a commitment to using reason in the formulation of our beliefs“

--Mulnix, J. W. (2010). Thinking critically about critical thinking. Educational Philosophy and Theory. doi: 10.1111/j.1469-5812.2010.00673.x., p. 471

"the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action“

--Scriven, M., and Paul, R.W., Critical Thinking as Defined by the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking (1987)

Edison Chen, pictures, Hongkong

Kehua Zhou, the sniper, Chongqing

Car accident, Mr. Hou, the driver, Shenzhen

Voice of China

Suppose you are a delegate of National People’s Congress, how would you vote if a bill concerning the following issue comes up for decision?

One-child policy should be changed?

Writing to facilitate critical thinking --to compare weakness and strength --to discover advantages and disadvantages --to reveal truth or fact

Logical reasoning to facilitate critical thinking --to think in a serious way --to think in a rigorous way --to think in a thorough and comprehensive

way

1. Multi-perspectives: from what angle to think To examine the issue from different angles 2. Analysis: Look into the inside systematically To examine various parts of the issue to see how they are fit together 3. Evaluation: weigh all the factors involved To judge the merit of assumptions made and weighing the evidence offered to support those assumptions

To exclude listening comprehension in English test of College Entrance Examination ? Is the change good?

Free writing, brainstorming, branching and questioning

Free writing: Pro-con list purpose of the new system purpose of the old system advantage of the new system disadvantage of the new system advantage of the old disadvantage of the old

Students Teachers (High school, University) Universities High schools Future employers Society Government Ministry of Education Language skills Expert

What are the components of the problem? Language skills Purpose of English learning Ease of examination Ignorance of listening Quality of education

Judge the merit of assumptions made and weighing the evidence offered to support those assumptions.

Will listening really cause a problem in the exam room and outside it?

What other measures can be taken to avoid the problem ensuing from listening?

Can the cancelation of listening solve all the problems once and for all?

Cancelling listening comprehension in the English test of College Entrance Examination is…

The issue between doctors and patients or patients’ families?