Critical thinking is the process by which knowledge is built or constructed. Use of effective critical thinking is evident when "thinking" opens itself to other opinions, opposing ideas and alternate perspectives. As thought develops there is a commitment to the cultivation of intellectual integrity with a fair minded approach. John Dewey contends that critical thinking can be broken down into two applications. First, one must construct his/her mind to internalize the basic principle, ideas and theories, therefore focusing on the internal. Second, the focus is on the application as an individual effectively uses ideas, principles, and theories thereby applying learned relevance to his/her own life.(Wikipedia, 2012) To further understand critical thinking, it is important to first consider it's history, practices and implementations.

Most often times, it's easy to relate critical thinking to education. Having experience teaching, it was my responsibility to ask questions to "stimulate thinking essential to the construction of knowledge".(Wikipedia, 2012) Because I taught design, it was essential to stay away from "art directing" students. Instead it became imperative to cultivate their individual design through critical thinking .

Instead, when I begin to ask probing questions about hierarchy, layout, typography, imagery, communication, rather than providing the answers, designers and later, students, were able to consider design solutions opposite to what they first thought of and became open to other avenues of thought. I began to cultivate designers with an ability to go beyond myself as a creative director(keeping me on my toes) and create excellent work. The reason the work became excellent is because they did not learn an equation from me(A+B=great print ad), they learned how to develop successful design through internalizing the questions, reworking the design and then applying their knowledge to a visually successful piece. In the end, I became a very small part of their journey. I've often heard it said, that the success of a great teacher or leader is evident when he or she leaves the post. If the class/individual/business/team/etc. can operate successfully on it's own then the teacher/leader has succeeded.

.................................................................................................................................................................................................
References:
Critical thinking. (2012, August 22). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Critical_thinking&oldid=508673047
Elder, L. & Paul, R. (2001). Critical thinking in everyday life: 9 strategies. Retrieved from http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/critical-thinking-in-everyday-life-9-strategies/512
Paul, R., Elder, L., & Bartell, T. (1997, March). California teacher preparation for instruction in critical thinking: Research findings and policy recommendations. Retrieved from http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/a-brief-history-of-the-idea-of-critical-thinking/408
Scriven, M., & Paul, R. (n.d.). Defining critical thinking. Retrieved from http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/410
Images:
http://img1.etsystatic.com/000/0/5693430/il_570xN.284644937.jpg
http://www.supercoloring.com/wp-content/thumbnail/2009_11/Socrates-coloring-page.png
http://www.whydraw.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/Art-Direction.png
No comments:
Post a Comment