Critical thinking...feedback on your answers
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This page offers feedback against each of the responses for to the Critical Thinking quiz exercise.
It's worth reading through each of the explanations rather than simply looking for the correct answer. How does your reasoning compare to what we've suggested below? |
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Rather than challenging existing ideas and information, Josh appears content to assume that they are correct. In this sense he is regurgitating information. A critical thinker would question the ideas or try to explore what they actually mean. As long as Josh is content to simply reproduce information, he might have a problem when he comes across opposing viewpoints or research. Josh's approach might work in some situations where there is an emphasis on learning facts, however he'll be challenged to make use of this information, or interpret it ('what does it mean?' and 'how good was the research that produced the 'facts'?') as he progresses through university.
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It is possible to view Karen as a critical thinker on the basis that she doesn't simply accept others' opinions as 'true' or 'correct' but instead sets out to challenge them. However, she falls short of being a true critical thinker as she's simply concerned with 'finding fault' for its own sake, rather than with a view to suggesting alternatives. Also, she might benefit from approaching a question with an open mind - for instance, looking for the strengths as well as the weaknesses in others' views. It seems that Karen has an overly narrow view of critical thinking - she has decided that it simply means setting out to criticise other people.
So... who wants to work in Karen's team project group...? |
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Pete appears to be a good example of a critical thinker.
He approaches information with an open mind, tries to make sense of what he encounters, and then attempts to drawn his own conclusions based upon what's in front of him. A key point here is that Pete is trying to use the information to construct ideas and knowledge. It isn't always easy to do this - it takes time to build up this skill and knowledge in your subject in order to do it successfully - and remember that your lecturers and tutors are their to guide you too. If you think your ideas are heading off in the wrong direction, ask people! |
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Coming up with original ideas is great, but, as we explored in class, Mia is in danger of presenting personal opinion rather than academic argument. Critical thinking means exploring and analysing information and ideas from different angles, not ignoring them.
It is also important to give credit to what has inspired new ideas (it is unlikely that Mia's original ideas were thought up in a vacuum with no influence from anywhere else...) - something we will cover in more depth in week 3 with Presenting Evidence... |
So, how did you do?
Don't worry if you didn't get the correct answer, this exercise was about exploring what it means to be a critical thinker. Irrespective of how you fared, if you have any questions about this exercise or this week's topic in general, why not get in touch with the course tutors.
Don't worry if you didn't get the correct answer, this exercise was about exploring what it means to be a critical thinker. Irrespective of how you fared, if you have any questions about this exercise or this week's topic in general, why not get in touch with the course tutors.