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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