Critical Thinking

Critical Thinking Strategies for Developing and Improving Thinking Skills in AP Human Geography Sarah Witham Bednarz Professor of Geography Texas A&M University

What is Critical Thinking?

QUIZ!

Possible Definitions… • Higher order thinking • Analysis: X = A, B, and C • Synthesis: A, B, and C are related • Inference: X follows from A, B, and C • Evaluation: A is better than or equal to B • Reasoning: A implies B which implies C etc.

Possible Definitions • Skeptical thinking • The essence of “critical”

Possible Definitions • Careful argumentation (Yeh 2001) • Weighing conflicting evidence and views from different sources • Thinking analytically about the process of collecting evidence • Presenting this point of view persuasively

Critical Thinking… • Is domain specific • Must start in elementary school • Provide reasons and consider counterarguments • Oral debates • Is tied to cognitive strategies (known ways of thinking)

Borrowing from IB

Critical Thinking & APHG • Explain: to say why • Break down (analyze) topic, identify important points, then discuss (evaluate?) how they work individually, as a structure, and to the whole • Describe: ?

Strategies • Living Graphs • Odd One Out • Concept Maps

Demographic Transition Model

Critical Thinking