Critical thinking is a process that necessitates a deep and broad examination of all sides of an issue, and an evaluation of the gathered data such that a reasoned judgement can be made. Critical thinking is important for the development of autonomy and independent thinking in students; additionally, it is a powerful and engaging process through which to meaningfullly engage with information and issues. |
"Critical thinking is the use of those cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome. It is used to describe thinking that is purposeful, reasoned and goal-directed--the kind of thinking involved in solving problems, formulating inferences, calculating likelihoods, and making decisions, when the thinker is using skills that are thoughtful and effective for the particular context and type of thinking task."
- Halpern, 2007 |
"Critical thinking is a capacity to work with complex ideas whereby a person can make effective provision of evidence to justify a reasonable judgment…It is a form of learning in that it is a means of generating new knowledge by processing existing knowledge and ideas…It is a multiple tool for the manipulation of knowledge."
- Moon, 2008 |