Thursday, July 3, 2014

A500.5.3.RB_DavisCarl


Reflecting on the current state of my critical thinking competencies, I feel I have made strides since class started over a month ago.

            I would say that my thinking has changed since the class began. I notice that I am taking more time to investigate the conclusions I formulate. I am asking more questions about the validity of data I am presented by co-workers. I find myself contemplating my thinking as well as examining the possible motivations or slants of news stories I view. All of these are positive results, in my opinion.

Reading Nosich’s book (2012) on critical thinking was a very good catalyst for examining the way I approached thinking. Our assignment about the elements of reasoning and standards of critical thinking required us to take an in-depth look at each term. By taking the time to write out what each term meant, as well as presenting multiple perspectives of each, I was able to begin learning how to apply them to the way I think.

The first point that made an impression was the element of claims or judgments that was discussed in chapter two. Thinking about things as claims instead of facts was a habit I wanted to build. I have attempted to utilize this tool, but know I have much work to do to make it a habit. Each time I review the book, opportunities I have missed flash through my head. I will be writing the statement “see it as a claim” on the whiteboard in my office as a daily reminder.

The SEE-I technique (Nosich, p. 30) is something I have used again since learning about thinking things through. The short acronym and relatively simple steps made it easier to internalize. I do not think this tool is hard-wired into my psyche yet, but it would be at a level I could call familiarity.

In order to make the concepts I have studied have lasting impacts on my thinking I will need to continue to review and practice using them. I feel the concepts are logical and only serve to assist me in growing my overall knowledge base. I will keep Mr. Nosich’s book (2012) nearby as I continue my academic journey. My hope is that by utilizing the concepts as I pursue my post-graduate degree, my critical thinking skills will be strong habits for the rest of my life.


References

Nosich, Gerald M. (2012) Learning to think things through A guide to critical thinking across the curriculum. Boston, MA: Pearson

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