Download - Critical Thinking Book Review
A Miniature Guide (For Those Who Teach)
On How to Improve Student Learning
30 Practical Ideas
by Dr. Richard Paul
and Dr. Linda Elder
from criticalthinking.org
Book review for ED 6117by Dan Gutterud
Summer 2009
• Research and Professional Development at the Center for Critical Thinking, Director
• National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking, Chair
• Author of eight books and 200+ articles on the subject.
• University professor for over 20 years.
• Recipient of numerous honors and awards (“Fellows of the foundation”)
• Educational psychologist• President of the Foundation for
Critical Thinking• Executive Director of the Center for
Critical Thinking• Taught college level psychology and
critical thinking • Presented to more than 20,000
educators• Co-author of four books, eighteen
guides, and a column on critical thinking (“Fellows of the foundation”)
Images from www.criticalthinking.org
Dr.
Rich
ard
Paul
Dr.
Lind
a El
der
Critical Thinking
“It is important for students be placed in situations in which they must apply what they are learning to personal experiences and situations”(Wetzel, 2008).
Image from http://www.sxc.hu
Critical Thinking
“No matter what your circumstance or goals, no matter where you are, or what problems you face, you are better off if your thinking is skilled. As a manager, leader, employee, citizen, lover, friend, parent — in every realm and situation of your life — good thinking pays off”(Elder & Paul, 2001). Image from http://www.sxc.hu
My Top Ten Practical Ideas for Improving Student Learning
Of the 30 ideas in the book, these are the ten that I will focus on the most with my students. The ideas are numbered as they are in the book.
Idea #6Think of Yourself
as a Coach
Image from www.flickr.com
Idea #2Encourage
students to think
about their thinking
Image from http://www.sxc.hu
Idea #15Ask questions
that probe understanding
Richard Paul image from criticalthinking.org
Idea #4 Use engaged lecture
Image from www.flickr.com
Idea #12Design instruction
so students engage in routine practice
in internalizing and applying the concepts they are
learning (and in evaluating their understanding of each) Image from www.flickr.com
Idea #29Use tactics
that encourage active learning
Image from www.flickr.com
Idea #27Design tests with the improvement
of student thinking in mind
Image from www.flickr.com
Idea #18 Bring
intellectual standards into
daily use
graphic from https://louisville.edu/ideastoaction/what/critical-thinking/paul-elder-critical-thinking-model
Idea #9Make course work
intensive for students not you
Image from www.flickr.com
Idea #10Relate content to issues, problems &
practical situations in the lives of students
Image from http://www.sxc.hu
YOU ARE INVITED!!Be sure to go to my blog on this topic at:
http://room13all-stars.blogspot.com
Please weigh in with your thoughts on critical thinking.
Also, visit my wiki at: http://room13allstars.pbworks.com
References:Elder, L. & Paul, R. (2001). Becoming a critic of your thinking. Retrieved June 16, 2009 from
http://www.criticalthinking.org/page.cfm?PageID=478&CategoryID=68
Elder, L. & Paul, R. (2002). How to improve student learning: 30 practical ideas. Dillon Beach, CA: The Foundation of Critical Thinking.
Fellows of the foundation for critical thinking: Dr. linda elder. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2009 from http://www.criticalthinking.org/ABOUT/Fellow_Linda_Elder.cfm
Fellows of the foundation for critical thinking: Dr. richard paul. (n.d.). Retrieved June 19, 2009 from http://www.criticalthinking.org/ABOUT/Fellow_Richard_Paul.cfm
Hoffman, S., John, E., Sellards, J. (2006) I don’t feel like Dancin’ [Recorder by Scissor Sisters]. On Tah-Dah [iTunes download]. London: Polydor.
Letterman, D. (Speaker). (n.d.). I have here a copy of tonight’s top 10 list (wav file). Retrieved June 20, 2009 from http://resources.bravenet.com/audio_clips/movies_tv/
Wetzel, D.R. (2008). 10 math teaching tips for elementary school. Retrieved June 8, 2009 from http://teachertipstraining.suite101.com/article.cfm/ 10_math_teaching_tips_for_elementary_school#ixzz0JB6ZEgVj&C