47 Critical Thinking as Empowerment: Within and without the curriculum

https://zoom.us/j/99343957645?pwd=SHFsQXhkN

Meeting ID: 993 4395 7645

Passcode: 726582

Name: Dr Christopher Chilvers

Workshop: Critical Thinking as Empowerment: Within and without the curriculum

Language of presentation: English (without simultaneous interpretation)

School: YWIES Guangzhou

Abstract: The process of transcending culturally established teaching models to promote a matrix of meta-cognitive skills defined as 'critical thinking', is problematic. Reliance of established models can leave professionals and students with a lack of confidence in their independence, analytical skill and resilience. The challenge grows as students approach university level application and study. It is a particularly significant challenge for Asian professionals and students due to the particularities of educational philosophy as it has evolved.

How a professional can model critical thinking for students becomes a systemic problem in this context. If students are to be prepared for the challenges of university education, research and problem solving in the modern world, the ability to apply critical thinking is essential to their preparation. Thus, it evokes the core of 'future readiness'.

At the World Economic Forum in 2023, a position was adopted criticizing the emphasis on critical thinking and suggesting a more viable skill set around ‘critical ignoring’. My workshop will address this argument, noting that selection of sources and the ability to discern between disinformation, information and knowledge is the centre of the critical thinking paradigm, making its inclusion more urgent rather than less.

This workshop is designed to offer some guidance on modelling these skills for students. There will be two interactive activities requiring group work that demonstrate how to promote critical thinking in students. 

These require no particular prior knowledge or skill set so can be accessed across the curriculum. The first is called the Lift Competition and the second is a variation on a 'Whodunit' scenario.

All colleagues can participate as this requires no specialist skills.