The Benefit of Asking The Right Questions

Question 1

Critical Thinking

Answer 1

Awareness of a set of interrelated critical questions
Ability to ask and answer critical questions at appropriate times
Desire to actively use the critical questions

Question 2

How Critical Thinking helps

Answer 2

React critically to an essay or evidence presented from various sources
Judge the quality of a lecture or speech
Form an argument
Write an essay based on a reading assignment
Participate in class

Question 3

Advantages of using the Sponge Approach

Answer 3

The more information is absorbed about the world, the more capable you are of understanding its complexities
It tends to be quick and easy, especially when the material is presented in a clear and interesting fashion

Question 4

Disadvantage of the Sponge Approach

Answer 4

Provides no method for deciding which information and opinions to believe and which to reject

Question 5

Panning for Gold Style of Thinking

Answer 5

Provides a model for active readers and listeners as they try to determine the worth of what they read and hear
Stresses active interaction with knowledge as it is being acquired.

Question 6

Mental Checklist of Panning for Gold

Answer 6

Did I ask why someone wants me to believe something?
Did I take notes as I thought about potential problems and what was being said?
Did I evaluate what was being said?
Did I form my own conclusion about the topic?

Question 7

Uses of Critical Thinking

Answer 7

To devend or evaluate and revise your initial beliefs

Question 8

Weak-Sense Critical Thinking

Answer 8

Use of critical thinking to defend one’s current beliefs; Purpose is to resist and annihilate opinions and reasoning different from yours

Question 9

Strong-Sense Critical Thinking

Answer 9

Use of the same skills to evaluate all claims and beliefs, especially one’s own; provides a basis for stengthening them because critical examination of those beliefs will sometimes reinforce our original commitment to them