Welcome to Unit 4 CS113 – Critical Thinking

We are in our 4th week! Good job. Are there any questions from Unit 3 you need clarification on before we begin with Unit 4?

Please summarize in your own words at least one thing you learned from Unit 3.

Instructor overview and comments.

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Critical Thinking and ResearchUnit 4 Seminar – CS113

Reading-Kali Reading-Critical Thinking Internet and Web Research Discussion-What elements of critical thinking did you use

recently on an important decision? If you use going back to school—be specific with your critical thinking questions. Demonstrate what questions you asked yourself.

Assignment-using your Critical Thinking skills to evaluate an online article or a website

Seminar Case Study based on Mark

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Unit 4 Objectives

Understand the importance of critical thinking. Apply critical thinking strategies to online

research.

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General Questions

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To-do-list

Read the Unit Overview Complete the Reading Learn about Internet Research Respond to the Discussion Attend the Weekly Seminar Complete the Assignment

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Define Critical Thinking

Avoid using the terms “critical,” “thought,” and “thinking” when replying.

Non-critical thinkers base judgments on first impressions and gut reactions.

Do NOT just accept information-Question it! Don’t be a part of the propaganda. Have evidence!

Question, observe, analyze, and make a decision.

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Critical Thinking and Research

Focus on the solution—not the problem. How important is critical thinking and why? Why do YOU think these skills will be important for

you—here at Kaplan and in other areas of your life?

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Defined…

Critical thinking is really an ongoing process of understanding, questioning, observing, analyzing, finding evidence and making judgments.

Problem Solving… What questions did you ask yourself? What actions should be taken? What are the consequences of the choices you

make? Will the choice bring you closer to a goal or bring

happiness?

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Discussion for Unit 4

On the next two scenario’s ask yourself what was the total number of different suggestions generated?

Be specific as to what questions you asked yourself to solve the problem.

Which did you feel were more creative ideas to the solution?

Why is it important to think outside-the-box when solving some problems?

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Rope Trick (Critical Thinking)

Instructions: Find at least seven different ways to resolve the following problem (do not be afraid to think outside the box); Two ropes are hanging vertically from a wall, reaching down to waist level. You want to hold onto both of them at the same time, but there is too much distance between the ropes and your reach is too short. What do you do?

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Another critical thinking exercise...

Your baby-sitter unexpectedly never showed up at the allotted time and can not seem to be reached. Your significant-other is not in town. You are scheduled for a business job interview which you need badly in 45 minutes. What do you do?

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Another Definition…

“Critical thinking is the discipline of rigorously and skillfully using information, experience, observation and reasoning to guide your decisions, actions and beliefs.”

Source: “Critical Thinking: Developing Skills for Successful Thinking” http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newTED_95.htm

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Important definitions

The following definitions will help you understand important concepts of critical thinking such as logic, fact, and opinion.

Fact or Truth: A statement that can be proven true. Example: Many research studies have proven that “women live longer than men.” This statement can be proven true.

Inference: Arriving at a conclusion based loosely on facts that are known or assumed to be true. Example: Upon seeing a woman carrying a briefcase at 8 am, we could infer that she is going to work. This may or may not be true.

Assumption: Taking the information for granted, supposing it’s just the way it is supposed to be. Example: We can assume that since Bob was hired as a computer expert, he will know the answers to our questions. This may or may not be true.

Conjecture: Guessing or making predictions based on incomplete information; it has not been proven. Example: There is life on other planets. This may or may not be true.

Opinion: A personal judgment or shared belief; an attitude or viewpoint that may or may not be true. Example: Some people believe that Macs are better than PCs. While some will agree and others disagree, a final agreeable truth will not be possible.

Value: Something desired by a person or group of people. Example: We should watch less television. The word “should” is a clue in this statement; while some will agree and others disagree, a final agreeable truth will not be possible.

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Is it…

Fact or Truth False Inference Assumption Conjecture Opinion Value

Who wrote it? What is the purpose? Where did the info come from? When was the site created or

information told? Why is the information valuable?

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Do you know?

Sports Illustrated published a story about a new rookie pitcher who planned to play for the Mets. His name was Sidd Finch, and he could reportedly throw a baseball at 168 mph with pinpoint accuracy. This was 65 mph faster than the previous record. Mets fans celebrated their teams’ amazing luck at having found such a gifted player.

Is it…? Fact or truth False Assumption Inference Conjecture Value

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Do you know?

Is it…? Fact or truth False Assumption Inference Conjecture Value

The BBC announced that camera crews filming near the Antarctic for its natural history series “Miracles of Evolution” had captured footage of Adélie penguins taking to the air. It even offered a video clip of these flying penguins, which became one of the most viewed videos on the internet.

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Do you know?

Is it…? Fact or truth False Assumption Inference Conjecture Value

Burger King published a full page advertisement in USA Today announcing the introduction of a new item to their menu; a “Left-handed Whopper” specially designed for the 32 million left-handed Americans. According to the advertisement, the new Whopper included the same ingredients as the original Whopper, but all the condiments were rotated 180 degrees for the benefit of their left-handed customers.

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Do you know?

Is it…? Fact or truth False Assumption Inference Conjecture Value

In 1962 there was only one TV channel in Sweden, and it broadcast in black and white.

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Four Steps to Improve Your Thinking

Clarify your points. Stick to the point. Question Questions. Be Reasonable.

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Case Study on Mark

Class, what can you tell us about Mark?

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Case Study on Mark

Mark has always wanted a career in marketing, and after being out of school for a few years, is happy to be back learning great things. Now in his second term, he really likes his course-work and is getting good grades. He thinks, though, that his next term might be too hard for him because friends said the next set of courses will be “more advanced.” Mark guesses that he might need a tutor but doesn’t feel he knows any marketing professionals to turn to for help. Generally, Mark doesn’t panic, but he is getting worried and as this fear overwhelms him, his current quarter grades are starting to slip.

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Case Study of Mark

What assumptions does Mark make? On what does Mark base his assumptions? Are there inferences, conjectures, opinions, and

values present in this scenario?

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Case Study on Mark

If Mark does need help with his marketing classes, where can he turn to for help?

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Case Study on Mark

What can Mark do to regain his confidence this quarter and begin his next quarter with a positive attitude?

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Case Study on Mark

How do you use critical thinking in every day life? Provide specific examples.

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What are the differences between facts and judgments?

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Wikipedia

Is it a reliable or an unreliable online source?

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Active Thinking

What do YOU think it means to be an active thinker? What do active thinkers do?

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Think… Think… Think…

THINK of critical thinking as a way to EXPAND your thinking--actively thinking, rather than passively going through the motions; being open-minded, rather than closed-minded; ready to question, rather than simply allowing information to stand on its own merit; exploring and testing, rather than accepting and digesting.

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Active vs. Passive (Which is it?)

If I fill a balloon up with just enough water (enough so that it does not burst the balloon), what happens?

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Attributes of a Critical ThinkerSource: Strategies for Success: Critical Thinking Ferrett, S. Peak Performance (1997).

http://www.accd.edu/sac/history/keller/ACCDitg/SSCT.htm

asks pertinent questions assesses statements and

arguments is able to admit a lack of

understanding or information has a sense of curiosity is interested in finding new

solutions is able to clearly define a set of

criteria for analyzing ideas is willing to examine beliefs,

assumptions, and opinions and weigh them against facts

listens carefully to others and is able to give feedback

sees that critical thinking is a lifelong process of self-assessment

suspends judgment until all facts have been gathered and considered

looks for evidence to support assumption and beliefs

is able to adjust opinions when new facts are found

looks for proof examines problems closely is able to reject information that

is incorrect or irrelevant

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Fact or Opinion?

Taking an aspirin a day reduces risk of heart disease. What evidence is available in support of this info? What additional information do I need in order to make

a decision? What additional information do you need in order to

make this decision (fact or opinion)? What opposing evidence is available? How does your personal experience relate? Weigh and consider.

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Fact or Opinion?

Neiman-Marcus Lunch Café in Chicago. Signature chocolate chip cookie. Recipe ($250.00). Is the information credible? Know authenticity. http://www.neimanmarcus.com/store/service/nm_coo

kie_recipe.jhtml

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Fact, Opinion, Inference, Assumption, Conjecture, or Value?

I wanted to know what students thought about our course (CS113). So, my husband and I decided to take a random sample of the students from a previous CS113 class. We looked at some of my past instructor student evaluation surveys. We observed statements from the comments section on the survey and tallied columns for a positive and negative rating of the class. We also visited Kaplan’s available library for a few minutes and asked beginning students what they thought about CS113. Here are our results: Two students thought there was not enough assignments and was bored, nine wanted less assignments, and seven thought the assignment amount was just right. Our survey PROVES that CS113 students want less homework and are willing to express their feelings.

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Any General Questions?

Seminar is coming to an end, soon. Let’s wrap-up the evening.

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Seminar Concluded

Good night. Have a great week! My office hours can be found on the class syllabus.

My AIM ID is: DrDenhard. THE END…

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