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Sandra C. JohnsonEDUC 8842/7102Principles of Distance EducationFebruary 13, 2011

Welcome

Development of Critical Thinking Skills in Distance Education

Stephen Brookfield

I am Sandra Johnson and I have the pleasure of introducing our speaker for this segment;He has been a leader in research and scholarship in four major fields; understanding the practice of teaching and facilitation across a range of diverse adult educational contexts, understanding the rhythms of critical thinking as a form of learning and the dynamics of how best to develop this, understanding the development of critically reflective practice among adult educators, and applying the theoretical concepts of critical theory to the understanding of adult learning and education.

4Critical Thinking

According to Bullen, Critical thinking is defined as thinking that is reasonable and reflective and focused on what to believe or do (1998, p.5)

essential aspects

Dispositions Criteria Argument Reasoning Point of View Procedures for Applying Criteria

Dispositions: Critical thinkers are skeptical, open-minded, value fair-mindedness, respect evidence and reasoning, respect clarity and precision, look at different points of view, and will change positions when reason leads them to do so. Criteria: To think critically, must apply criteria. Need to have conditions that must be met for something to be judged as believable. Although the argument can be made that each subject area has different criteria, some standards apply to all subjects. "... an assertion must... be based on relevant, accurate facts; based on credible sources; precise; unbiased; free from logical fallacies; logically consistent; and strongly reasoned" (p. 12). Argument: Is a statement or proposition with supporting evidence. Critical thinking involves identifying, evaluating, and constructing arguments. Reasoning: The ability to infer a conclusion from one or multiple premises. To do so requires examining logical relationships among statements or data. Point of View: The way one views the world, which shapes one's construction of meaning. In a search for understanding, critical thinkers view phenomena from many different points of view. Procedures for Applying Criteria: Other types of thinking use a general procedure. Critical thinking makes use of many procedures. These procedures include asking questions, making judgments, and identifying assumptions.6UnderstandingAbility to select and monitor that thinking strategies that one usesDeclarative knowledgeUnderstanding how individual knowledge impacts what other people know

according to Osborne a student must have the Ability to select and monitor that thinking strategies that one usesDeclarative knowledgeUnderstanding how individual knowledge impacts what other people knowCharacteristics of Critical Thinking

involves asking questions, defining a problem, examining evidence, analyzing assumptions and biasesavoiding emotional reasoning, avoiding oversimplification,considering other interpretations, tolerating ambiguity.

According to Visser page 3How we use or obtain these skillsModel best practicesTeacher responsibilitiesStimulate thought through extending discussionsChallenge the student to research information Create a space & time for informal and reflective thoughtProvide probing questions

According to Osborne (2009) Teacher must model best practices

According to Arend a facilitator has a responsibility to stimulate thought by extending discussions in the discussion boards. The facilitator should also provide questions that will encourage the student to research information to find an answer. The facilitator should be less focused on frequency but more focused on purpose and continue to provide probing questionTechnology used for collaborationWikiPodcastDiscussion BoardsEmailBlogsWebquestVideo conferencing/Skpe

Technology that can be used to facilitate the learning in an online environment includes items such as wiki, pod and webcast, discussion boards, emails, blogs, whiteboardsStrategiesRequire a course related journalPositive reinforcementAssign narrowly focused topics

According to Student responsibilitiesIncrease social skillsAsk the right questionsListen to each otherHelp each other learnBuild on each others ideasConstruct their own understanding

According to Osborne Students must increase their social skills Conclusion

More than a buzz wordIntellectual ProcessTakes practiceThank you: Welcome Steven Broomfield

According to Lunney Critical Thinking is more than just a buzz word but it is an intellectual process that takes practice. The use of thinking critically takes practice of both the facilitator and the student. Through coaching, skilled questioning the student will be able to learn , reflect solve problems(2008, pg12).According to Broomfield In conclusion the area of Critical thinking is important but it takes practice and growth to become proficient. Brookfield provides a foundation anyone interested in critical thinking.ResourcesArend B. Encouraging Critical thinking in Online Threaded Discussions . Journal of Educators Online 6, Retrieved from EBSCOhostInterview with Stephen Brookfield. (1994). ETC: A Review of General Semantics, 51(1), 3-17. Retrieved from EBSCOhost.

Bullen, Mark. (1998). Participation and Critical Thinking in Online University Distance Education. Journal of Distance Education/Revue de l'enseignement distance: 13 , 2.[iuicode: http://www.icaap.org/iuicode?151.13.2.1]

ResourcesOsborne, R.E., Kriese, P., Tobey, H., Johnson, E. (2009) Putting it All Together: Incorporating SoTL Practices for Teaching Interpersonal and Critical Thinking Skills in an Online Course. InSight: A Journal of Scholarly Teaching 445-55 Retrieved from EBSCOhost

Lunney, M. (2008) Facilitating Critical Thinking through Online Courses. Journal of Asynchronous Learning Networks, 12(3-4) Retrieved from EBSCOhost

Visser, L (2002) Critical Thinking in distance Education and Traditional Education AECT