As a Math Teacher, there are plenty of possibilities for critical thinking. I really feel like students need some sort of background information in order to participate in critical thinking. As a high school teacher, I have the opportunity to present them with information that requires them to really apply what they know and use their critical thinking skills to come up with a solution. I wonder how elementary school teachers use these critical thinking skills. (I have blog buddies who are elementary teachers...so looking forward to comments.)
But here is the big problem, It's much more difficult as a teacher to create such assesments or assignments. Making a handful of open ended plug-and-chug problems is easier. They are easier to create and easier to grade! So teachers looking for the easy way out will go this route.
Let's say there is a teacher who has the students think critically and apply some of their learning. There will also be push back from the students. So many students have become acustomed to the plug-and-chug assessments, they may not want to THINK!
But if we really want our students to LEARN, this is where we need to be!
I would like to think I'm a good model of a critical thinker! I like to solve problems. I like to know why and solve problems creatively. I do struggle on how to convey that love of solving problems to students! Some get it and others don't!
Teaching critical thinking when it doesn't really matter is so hard. To convince students that, 'one day, you will really need to know this!' to hear them say, 'yeah, but not today!' is frustrating.
ReplyDeleteYes, you are a task master, problem solver! I think to get to where we are as students and teachers, we all are! We don't sit around and wait for someone to do it for us, we take charge and get it done.
I think in the end, we have to teach the concepts and focus on those who are on board with us, and plug-and-chug (loved that!) along!
Excellent blog!
Totally agree with you. It is very difficult to make students want to work. But as much as we hope and pray for the perfect class, it'll never happen. You're going to have the smart kids that only need to be told once what to do and the slackers who need the extra encouragement. As long as we stay positive role models and show the students our passion about learning, we will be doing our job.
ReplyDeleteAnd... if we are all perfectly honest, there will be days when even the best teacher takes the easy road. No one is perfect. I think providing the critical thinking opportunities is easier than most folks think, as well. You can have really deep discussions in a f2f class where some really valuable learning is taking place... It is hard to duplicate online, but it can happen.
ReplyDeleteBy the way, Tami. Your blogs are always great.
Tami, I agree that students often resist to think critically...because they are not trained to do so and it is such a challenge or simply too much mental load for them. But I believe after enough exposure to opportunities to think critically, students will actually enjoy it after all. As jordan hinted, making critical thinking activities a group project or PBL could be a good start to engage students in critical thinking!
ReplyDelete