Critical Thinking
Critical thinking is reflective thinking focused on deciding what would be sensible or reasonable to believe or do in a given situation. It involves creative activities such as formulating hypotheses, gathering pertinent information, recognizing assumptions and values, comprehending and interpreting data, evaluating arguments, recognizing relationships, drawing and testing conclusions, and rendering judgments based on appropriate criteria. Helping students think critically involves inviting them to assess the merits of various options before them on the basis of relevant factors. It is a powerful method of teaching content, skills, and outcomes.
In order to engage students in critical thinking, teachers must provide a supportive learning environment where reflective inquiry is valued. Examples include classroom routines requiring students to engage and think through problematic situations; opportunities for critical dialogue and debate; and self/peer assessment activities.
Intellectual tools for critical thinking can be purposefully taught and assessed. More information about these skills and criteria for assessing students’ critical thinking are available in some of the links below.
Hear stories from AISI projects about Critical Thinking and other themes:
Search AISI projects focusing on Critical Thinking:
Explore other Education and Government initiatives and resources:
- Social Studies Kindergarten to Grade 12
- Emerge One-to One Laptop Learning
- LearnAlberta
LearnAlberta provides many free online resources for teachers. Examples include critical challenge activities for students, videos about critical thinking, and professional resources developed in collaboration with the Critical Thinking Consortium (TC²). In particular, the resource entitled Embedding Critical Thinking into Teaching and Learning is very useful.
Resources related to Critical Thinking from National Organizations:
- Alberta Teachers’ Association (ATA)
Recent articles published by the professional organization of teachers in Alberta on the theme of critical/creative thinking include:
Critical Thinking: Barriers and Opportunities (2011)
Einstein, Pooh AND Tchaikovsky, Too! Thinking Outside and Inside the Box (2011)
Questioning Creativity (2011)
- Critical Thinking Consortium (TC²)
This Canadian association promotes critical thinking through professional development, publications and research available on its web site. The following are examples of articles written by educators about their experiences implementing critical thinking in their classrooms:
Stories from the Classroom: Powering Up to Critical Thinking (2012)
Understanding Critical Thinking (2009)
Bringing Critical Thinking to the Main Stage (2006)
The Thinking Teacher is a free monthly e-Digest of ideas, strategies, and resources for teachers and teacher leaders who are working to support critical thinking among K-12 students and staff. The digest is published ten times a year. This link is for the May 2011 issue .
Critical Challenges across the Curriculum is a series of resources focused on infusing critical thinking into teaching a variety of subjects at various grade levels. Books are available for ordering through this link.
- Galileo Educational Network
This Canadian organization conducts and disseminates research about innovative, inquiry-based, 21st century learning environments. In addition to an assortment of generic rubrics that can be applied to various learning tasks, the website includes:
Guide to Assessing Critical Thinking (2006)
Resources related to Critical Thinking from International Organizations:
- Critical Thinking Community
This website provides material developed through the Foundation for Critical Thinking. These include articles, books, guides, videos, and other teaching and learning resources. A large selection of professional articles about critical thinking is available on this site. Examples include:
Defining Critical Thinking (2009)
Making Critical Thinking Intuitive (2009)
Analysis & Assessment of Thinking (2008)
- Education Resources Information Center (ERIC)
This is an online digital library of education research and information, sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education. The following articles related to critical thinking are available on this site.
Teacher Perceptions of Critical Thinking among Students and its Influence on Higher Education (2009)
- Edutopia (The George Lucas Educational Foundation)
This interactive web site contains an extensive archive of best practices related to K-12 education. It includes many diverse and innovative media resources for teachers, school leaders and parents. The following articles relate to media literacy and critical thinking:
Students Evolve from Consumers to Critics and Creators (2005)
Media-Literacy Starting Points: Tips for Fostering Critical Thinking (2003)
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TED Talks
This nonprofit organization brings together technology, entertainment and design through online videos and annual conferences. In the following video clip, Sir Ken Robinson presents a profoundly moving case for creating an educational system that nurtures creativity:
Ken Robinson Says Schools Kill Creativity (2006)
