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Critical Thinking in the News


Critical thinking will become a dominant force in the world only when,
and to the extent that, critical societies emerge.

As media are reflections of our collective values and character, they are also potentially significant in helping us shape and alter our individual views. Thus, a running index to some of the news, discourse and critique that contextualizes critical thinking in media as they alter and illuminate our times follows. Articles are of mixed quality and significance and we leave it to the reader to *assess them. News from previous months is available in the News Archives Directory under NEWS & CRITIQUE on the main menu. An index of News and Commentary that Critique Social and Institutional Practices is also provided.

Critical societies are those for whom fair-minded critical thinking is a social value and thus routinely cultivated in all citizens and respected in all social practices. One contributes to the emergence of critical thought as a social value by making changes consistent with the integral concepts, standards and best practices of critical thinking across all domains and disciplines in one’s daily life. Intellectual integrity arrived at through open, accurate, clear, precise, fair and independent thought processes is at the very core of a well tempered mind. It is also at the core of the values and character in a critical society.

Articles written, or interviews given, by our fellows:

*NEW*  Philosophy Student Final Project Integrating Critical Thinking:  Video


Teaching Kids to Think Critically in the Age of Standardized Testing
Teaching Kids to Think Critically.  Listen to the podcast interview  on BAM Radio network with Linda Elder, Frank Kell and Maureen Kelleher.  

Download the (Audio) Teaching Kids to Think Critically





"Achieving critical mass" by Linda Elder, Published in Times Higher Education - Read the Full Article

"Reason to live" by Linda Elder, published in Times Higher Education - Read the Full Article

"I think critically, therefore I am" by Linda Elder, published in Times Higher Education - Read the Full Article

"Are you a critical thinker" by Linda Elder, published in The Christian Science Monitor - Read the Full Article

"An Absence of Critical Thinking," in which author Allan Levine quotes Linda Elder, published in The Globe and Mail -  Read the Full Article

"Students Questioning Students (SQS)", by Judith Engel - This video is a snapshot of a teaching and learning practice where students are responsible for asking questions that probe understanding of course content. Such practices empower students by developing questioning and communication skills, promote critical thought, and build a collaborative learning environment. 

*The News Blog is Open! Members of the Critical Thinking Community may now enter commentary and assessment on these news articles. To comment, click on the FCT Blogger link below articles on which you wish to comment.



20 ways of thinking about digital literacy in higher education

The Guardian (blog) - May 15, 2012
First define what you mean by digital literacy: The definition I most frequently use is this one: digital literacy = digital tool knowledge + critical thinking + social ... Read the Full Article


Introduction to Scientific Teaching

The New York Academy of Sciences - May 15, 2012
In contrast to traditional course planning, this method ensures that students learn both the scientific fact as well as critical thinking skills. (Image courtesy of ... Read the Full Article


Leota Ester column: Critical thinking is a necessity

Appleton Post Crescent - May 11, 2012
But as I affirm a belief in the importance of critical thinking, I find myself asking, “What is it to think critically? What does it really mean? Read the Full Article



Clemson considers required class to get students beyond memorizing ...

Anderson Independent Mail - May 8, 2012
Clemson should produce students who have picked up new critical thinking skills after four years that set them far above their peers, he said. Read the Full Article



Arrested Development: The Criminalization of America's Schoolchildren

Canada Free Press - May 7, 2012
... of the surveillance and police state… students are increasingly subjected to disciplinary apparatuses which limit their capacity for critical thinking, ... Read the Full Article



A New Approach to Math

Twin Falls Times-News - May 2, 2012
Now, there's a new emphasis — using critical thinking skills and recognizing there can be multiple ways to solve a problem. Students may be asked to list ... Read the Full Article



Empathy and experience key to becoming good leader

News & Observer - Apr 28, 2012
We need critical-thinking skills to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges. We also need courage to take action even in the face of stark ... Read the Full Article



Embracing a new test

Suffolk News-Herald - Apr 28, 2012
... Learning assessment format that will require students taking the annual statewide math tests to exhibit stronger computer and critical thinking skills. Read the Full Article



Love for Books: What impedes our students to develop critical ...

News Pakistan - Apr 24, 2012
Critical thinking is an essential skill that enables one to ... While there are no two opinions about the importance of developing critical thinking, ... Read the Full Article

 



Are nation's college students learning anything?

The Seattle Times - Apr 20, 2012
A recent study suggests that nearly half the students showed no measurable gain in critical thinking, complex reasoning and writing skills during their ... Read the Full Article

 



The importance of thinking critically

Diamondback Online - Apr 16, 2012
I start with these extraordinary examples of critical thinking because I ... First, I believe the cornerstone of critical thinking is setting aside ego and ... Read the Full Article

 



Critical thinking relies on reason rather than emotion

NewsOK.com - Apr 14, 2012
In response to Elliott Doane (Your Views, April 7): I agree that critical thinking should be encouraged.Critical thinking relies on reason rather than ... Read the Full Article

 



Videos Help Arm Young Skeptics With Logic

Wired News - Apr 11, 2012
... and people listen to celebrities over scientists about the safety of life-saving vaccines, it often seems as if critical thinking is a long lost art. Read the Full Article

 



Critical thinking, not facts, the focus‎

London Free Press - Apr 8, 2012
By DALE CARRUTHERS, The London Free Press Mike Newnham is the co-creator of Smarter Science, a program that teaches students to answer their own scientific ... Read the Full Article

 



Education Reform: Why a Bachelor's Degree Still Matters‎

Huffington Post - Apr 2, 2012
The second installment, "We Need an Education System that Promotes Creativity, Innovation, andCritical Thinking," argues in favor of a paradigm shift in ... Read the Full Article

 



How to Foster Critical Thinking in Students

Patch.com - Mar 26, 2012
El Cerrito education professional Evie Groch offers suggestions for improving critical thinking. By Evie Groch The Thinker by Rodin, Copernicus Science ... Read the Full Article

 



U of L to host NYU professor who says college is too easy

Louisville Courier-Journal - Mar 24, 2012
... institutions don't improve at all in key skills such as critical thinking, complex reasoning and writing during their first two years of college. Read the Full Article

 



Analytical mind no longer valued ‎

UT Daily Beacon - Mar 13, 2012

But college is not designed to develop your critical thinking skills anymore. According to the current model of American higher education, you're here to ... Read the Full Article



Holding Onto The Joy In Teaching ‎

CounterCurrents.org - Mar 10, 2012
... gathering steam in higher education, and there is much organizing work necessary just to protect what little space for critical thinking still exists. Read the Full Article


OP-ED | Writing And Critical Thinking Are More Important ‎

CT Newsjunkie - Mar 9, 2012
But as someone who champions the importance of critical thinking and good writing in schools, what upset me most was how my daughter spoke of having a ... Read the Full Article


New curriculum plans on track in city ‎

Mount Airy News - Mar 4, 2012
... set to debut next year — a curriculum that will place more emphasis on critical thinking and problem-solving skills and focus less on rote memorization. Read the Full Article


Critically thinking about critical thinking ‎

Scholars and Rogues - Feb 28, 2012
Of late, I've also come to realize that it behooves me to sharpen my critical thinking skills. What I currently have is a touch of knack, a pinch of talent, ... Read the Full Article


Saying, “My students can't write,” is a cop out ‎

Minnesota Daily - Feb 26, 2012
Students write essays of varying lengths for their professors, and the students' work is filled with small sentence-level errors or critical thinking issues ... Read the Full Article


Critical thinking explained in six kid-friendly animations

io9 - Feb 26, 2012
Creative solutions agency Bridge 8 created these animations to offer a basic overview of critical thinking. The videos were designed for an audience of kids ... Read the Full Article


Overloaded with information, students need critical thinking skills ‎

University World News - Feb 25, 2012

And as if that wasn't difficult enough, they want students to graduate with the critical thinking skills necessary to complete in a global economy. Read the Full Article


What Spurs Students to Stay in College and Learn? Good Teaching Practices and Diversity.

The Chronicle

Good teaching and exposure to students from diverse backgrounds are some of the strongest predictors of whether freshmen return for a second year of college and improve their critical-thinking skills, say two prominent researchers...Read the Full Article


Groundbreaking research uses stem cells to relieve mouth, face pain?

HealthCanal

... developing and using innovative technologies and educational methodologies, and by promoting critical thinking and lifelong learning. ...Read the Full Article



Testing 4-year-olds isn't the answer?

Salon

I'd spent four years at a rigorous institution honing my writing, research andcritical-thinking skills. I'd written an impressive senior thesis, ...Read the Full Article



Encourage writing this summer?

Los Altos Town Crier

In our office, we have long used the summer months to invent fun and creative ways to encourage students to develop their writing and critical-thinking ...Read the Full Article



Jehovah's Witnesses Childhood Story?

International Falls Daily Journal

The talking point Jehovah's Witnesses are TRAINED to use at the doors are clearly designed to vet for poorly developed critical thinking skills, ...Read the Full Article



Shea announces arts tax credit for children?

The Guardian

The experience kids gain from art camp is more than just messing around in a little paint, they learn lifelong skills such as critical thinking, ...Read the Full Article



Summer reading program helps students grow, learn?

Live 5 News

The learning also includes activities to help the young people apply critical thinkingskills of what they've read. The overall program is meant to keep ...Read the Full Article



Innovate education partnership meets with federal officials?

Indiana Statesman

"It's significant in terms of becoming consumers and originators of research, developingcritical thinking and problem solving, and modeling continuous ...Read the Full Article



Engineers do your duty?

Building Design

I've written before about how Engineering degrees are missing critical thinking and design as an abstract concept and this omission from the taught syllabus ...Read the Full Article



Integrated curriculum need of hour

Times of India

It is important to inculcate ethics, critical observation, critical thinking and reasoning in medical students," said Bandaranayake...Read the Full Article