importance of critical thinking in engineering

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is an iterative, reflexive process reliant on faculties of reason and formal logic with an end goal of rational decision-making. Via questioning theorized or pre-supposed knowledge in the context of factual evidence, critical thinking promotes deep understanding through skepticism and systematic analysis.  This article demonstrates that a critical thinking mechanism of thought is developed through practice, and is a pivotal aspect in development and personal growth.

Introduction:

Critical thinking pervades the history of all engineering – what may seem to be an obvious course of events cascading from one to the next can usually be dissected into various applications of the scientific method, one of many formal examples critical thinking. Consider the invention of the cavity magnetron in 1940 – a vital, largely unheard of innovation that resulted in compact radar machines; a timely invention given the Second World War, and a seemingly complete one, but strangely before its time[1].

Percy Lebaron Spencer was an electrical engineer working for Raytheon, and was already well renowned within the company as an innovative mind, having revolutionized the process of manufacturing their magnetrons. While tinkering with an active radar set, he noticed that a candy bar in his pocket had melted – this phenomenon was not necessarily unheard of; others had noticed similar effects, but Spencer was the first to think critically about it. He discerned that the ambient heat was not necessarily a result of the thermal dissipation from ordinary operation, but possibly the effect of targeted radiation ‘cooking’ the chocolate.  After a great deal of testing, observation, and optimization, he invented the microwave oven[2].

This is a concrete example of the application of critical thinking, and provides an important element of context in the analysis this article presents. By abjectly defining critical thinking and examining examples throughout history, we can observe its effects on our Senior Design Project, and development of concepts and ideas in general.  “Automated Plant Care Via Collaborative Hydroponic System” (with Nathan Harada and John Pothier) was our senior Capstone project.  Hydroponics is a method of growing plants through water-based nutrient solutions without soil. This project designed a data model and algorithm to monitor the hydroponic environment of plants to facilitate and optimize their health and growth.  Critical thinking was necessary to construct the growing model of plants for the nutrient delivery system and the machine learning algorithm.  The self-contained system incorporates user observations to care for plants via the Internet. A database stores user feedback and history of control states for data visualization and to provide information to the learning algorithm.  Optimization for machine learning was achieved by utilizing plant state history and growth parameters according to gradient decent algorithm. The application is intended for people in urban settings and confined spaces that desire to growth plants and vegetables.

Defining Critical Thinking

Because critical thinking represents something of a philosophy in addition to a method, there exist several definitions that convey roughly similar ideas. Random House Dictionary states that critical thinking is:

“Disciplined thinking that is clear, rational, open-minded, and informed by evidence.”

This is a concise definition that allows for a broad range of interpretations, but as the notion itself is open-ended, the definition we will work with. Disciplined thinking means that the manner of thought is closely controlled and monitored, while its clarity, rationality, and open-mindedness imply that the thinking follows rigorous rules of logic that can be explained simply and succinctly. Finally, information via evidence is the most classical methodology behind constructing an argument or forming an opinion. By utilizing these simple ideas, the fundamentals of critical thinking are formed – we can consider the story of Percy Spencer as an example.

Spencer noticed a unique phenomenon – the melting of the chocolate in his pocket from an unknown heat source. As previously noted, he was not the first person to observe this, but his interaction was the first to employ the use of critical thinking. Firstly, and perhaps most importantly in the context of new discovery, his thinking was open-minded. Radiation was poorly understood at best in the 1940’s, with many of the mistakes we made then still being felt today[3]. That Spencer was willing to attribute this new phenomena to some unknown aspect of radiation showed that his thinking was open to new ideas and discoveries, an important part of critical thinking. Secondly, his thinking was disciplined and informed by evidence. He repeated the experiment with the same test conditions, and observed and reported on his findings for each event; with consistency in his results, he was able to draw forth the rational conclusion that in some way, the magnetron was producing directed heat. Finally, his thinking was clear. After studying the results, he determined that the mechanism of dielectric heating was a result of targeted microwave energy, and was able to clearly express his ideas to his superiors at Raytheon [2]. The end result was an innovative piece of household technology that could not have been invented if not for the powers of critical thinking.

If this process sounds familiar, it is because the act of thinking critically falls under many taxonomies – as mentioned previously, among the more well known appellations is the “Scientific method”.  The scientific method can be briefly defined in the following four steps[4]:

• Observation and description of a phenomenon or group of phenomena.
• Formulation of an hypothesis to explain the phenomena.
• Use of the hypothesis to predict the existence of other phenomena, or to predict quantitatively the results of new observations.
• Performance of experimental tests of the predictions by several independent experimenters and properly performed experiments.

It stands to reason that these abstract notions of problem solving are, in their roots, quite similar. The observation, or problem statement, followed by hypothesis and hypothesis testing, form the foundation of all new knowledge; and is in itself a formula for synthesizing and cataloging new information.

Learning to Think Critically/Further Applications

David Foster Wallace once wrote that learning how to think, “really means learning how to exercise some control over how and what you think. It means being conscious and aware enough to choose what you pay attention to and to choose how you construct meaning from experience.[5]” This is precisely the goal of many higher learning institutions: the promotion of critical thinking via teaching how to learn . Organizations, such as CriticalThinking.org , exist purely for the sake of designing curriculum around teaching the basics of thinking critically to students – and the general consensus remains that critical thinking is among the most high priority aspects of education offered today [6]. For this reason, it is easy to understand why the ‘Critical Reading’ section of the SATs is considered one of the most difficult to score well on, as well as the most important to fully prepare for: the skills can be learned and developed through practice and effort, and they are important enough to warrant (until 2007) fifty percent of the bandwidth of the standardized university entrance exam[7]. The important advice offered by many of these practice agencies is to train the mind to follow steps of logic and reason based on evidence – follow the scientific method[8].

These tools prove vital to the Urban Hydroponics system in particular, because the notion is not built upon prior research, but involves a thorough “ground up” investigation. As such, all research must be done meticulously and to the standards of academic rigor expected at institutions of higher learning. Furthermore, all rationales must be logical and consistent with the rules of critical thinking, such as metrics for plant health, hypotheses for pump driver controls, and arbitrating feedback.

It stands to reason that the topics discussed in this article can be further applied to any situation in which rational thought and scientific discovery are important. Critical thinking can be thought of as a powerful problem-solving tool, or perhaps even more accurately, as a highly focused lens through which to few the world. With a large field of view and a versatile aperture, it is possible to see a great deal and draw powerful conclusions when looking at the world through the proper filter. In the case of our intelligent hydroponics system, these skills have previously, and will in the future, prove invaluable.

All senior design projects, as well as engineering challenges in everyday life, aim to solve problems using available resources and sound science. Perhaps the greatest resource available is the ability to think rationally about a problem and derive viable solutions to them.

Cited References

• Radar Recollections – The Magnetron http://histru.bournemouth.ac.uk/Oral_History/Talking_About_Technology/radar_research/the_magnetron.html
• Noteworthy Name Database – Percy Lebaron Spencer http://www.nndb.com/people/766/000165271/
• Chernobyl: Consequences of the Catastrophe for People and the Environment http://www.nyas.org/publications/annals/Detail.aspx?cid=f3f3bd16-51ba-4d7b-a086-753f44b3bfc1
• University of Rochester: Introduction to the Scientific Method http://teacher.nsrl.rochester.edu/phy_labs/AppendixE/AppendixE.html
• Commencement Speech by David Foster Wallace for Kenyon College: Full Transcript http://web.ics.purdue.edu/~drkelly/DFWKenyonAddress2005.pdf
• Environments for fostering effective critical thinking (effects)
• Abstract Thinking
• Articles > 4. Communications And Life Skills > Critical Thinking

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Is Critical Thinking a Skill or a Way to Develop Skills? An Overview in Engineering Education

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• Celina P. Leão   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0003-3725-5771 17 &
• Ana C. Ferreira   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0002-4775-5713 17 , 18 , 19  

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One of the most highly valued skills for higher education in Engineering is the development of critical thinking. Critical thinking skills have great importance in cultivating personal and professional competences for the transition to the industrial context. Also, critical thinking achieves a vital importance when students start their professional engineering activity. Engineers are challenged to analyze and think creatively through problems from multiple perspectives in order to reach an appropriate solution. Some studies suggest campus culture and out-of-class experiences may play a role in the improvement of critical thinking. So, this paper aims to identify and to understand how this topic is handled in engineering education, based on scientific literature. Despite the acknowledgement of critical thinking importance in engineering education, there is no practical evidence of its inclusion in the university curricula.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge support from FCT, through the project UIDB/00319/2020.

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Celina P. Leão & Ana C. Ferreira

Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability Center (MEtRICs), University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

Ana C. Ferreira

Centro de Investigação em Organizações, Mercados e Gestão Industrial (COMEGI), Universidade Lusíada Norte, Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal

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Department of Industrial Electronics, University of Minho, Guimarães, Portugal

Filomena Soares

Poznan University of Technology, Poznan, Wielkopolskie, Poland

Justyna Trojanowska

Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, Cassino, Italy

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Faculty of Engineering, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Prague, Czech Republic

Petr Valášek

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Vellore Institute of Technology University, Vellore, India

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Mechanical Engineering Department, Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil

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Leão, C.P., Ferreira, A.C. (2023). Is Critical Thinking a Skill or a Way to Develop Skills? An Overview in Engineering Education. In: Machado, J., et al. Innovations in Mechanical Engineering II. icieng 2022. Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-09382-1_24

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WHY CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS ARE IMPORTANT FOR ENGINEERS?

What is critical thinking why are critical thinking skills important.

Critical thinking is the ability to remain analytical while forming a connection between ideas. Critical thinking skills are required to solve real life problems.

It is the subject of much debate; advocated by some of the earliest philosophers like Socrates, Chanakya, and Plato. Seventeenth-century English philosopher and statesman, Sir Francis Bacon was seriously concerned with the way we misuse our minds in the pursuit of knowledge. He understood that our minds are notorious objects and should not be allowed to succumb to their natural tendencies. 

In the present era, we live in a world full of information and as we human beings are multi-tasking, problems arise in the processing of information. As the Best B.Tech. College in Jaipur , we understand the importance of critical thinking in the process of decision-making. This not only assists engineering graduates to make the right decision but also raises them as responsible and evaluative human beings. 

Critical thinking can be referred to as the ability to remain analytical while connecting different ideas to draw useful results. Critical thinking should be intrinsic to an engineer’s mental faculty as it complements the other attributes needed for the role and is a crucial factor for exceptional outcomes. 

Also Read – Theoretical and Practical Approach Best for You

Primary Objective of Critical Thinking Skills

One primary goal of higher education has always been to inculcate the habit of critical thinking among students, to raise them as responsible, evaluative human beings. In India, where engineering seems to be one of the most sought-after professions for job security and remuneration, engineers themselves seem to have fallen deep into the rabbit hole of technical knowledge. 

Moreover being the Top Engineering College in Rajasthan , they sit in front of their computer screens, coding their way through life with blinkers on, shutting off every bit of analytical contemplation. Thus, critical thinking is a process of rationalizing, which is:

• Self-directed
• Self-disciplined
• Self-monitored
• Self-corrective 

Need of Critical Thinking Skills

For engineering graduates and budding engineers, the development of critical thinking skills is of utmost significance as it enables to achieve:

• Clarity of actions
• Practical thinking
• Attentiveness
• Systematic decision making

Studies have shown that engineering professionals who practice critical thinking skills can do better at both the personal and professional levels. For instance, specific fields of engineering demand such skills from students. These are:

• Telecommunication
• information and communication technology
• machine learning
• Mechatronics
• Other associated areas 

Also Read – Common Challenges faced by Engineering Students

Observations show that engineers who practice critical thinking are far better in their professional and personal lives. At Arya College, Jaipur , we emphasize that students should learn and inculcate critical thinking skills. This will allow them to transform data into a relevant piece of information that can be easily interpreted for obtaining necessary outcomes. Moreover, as learning is a continuous and lifelong process, critical thinking skills will improve with time. 

Future engineers who are equipped with such exceptional skills will have a competitive edge over their colleagues and peers both at the professional and personal levels respectively. In addition to this, critical thinking skills cannot be developed or learned overnight as it is the responsibility of the higher education institutions to provide the right environment to the students where such skills can be fostered and inculcated.

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The importance of Critical Thinking on Engineering decisions to Professional Engineering practitioners

2021, CDP Publishings

Critical thinking extends to all aspects of professional engineering, especially in technical development and there has been an increased emphasis in engineering education on the development of critical thinking skills. What is hoped for is that the students obtain critical thinking skills to complement their abundant logical thinking skills. Critical thinking is a developmental skill that cannot be taught simply by traditional methods, i.e., step-by-step instruction followed by repetitive skills, as used for logical thinking skills. The research and development reported here is concerned with outlining how students first can be alerted to what critical thinking is, and how critical thinking can be nurtured through practical experience with appropriate guidance and reinforcement. A method of assessment during various phases of critical thinking, i.e., initial design or set-up, testing of method or prototype, and evaluation of the results, of open-ended assignments in engineering for each year of the undergraduate course has been developed. This paper outlines the importance of critical thinking on engineering decision and designs to professional engineering practitioners and where it should start. The necessity for creative problem solving skills within the sciences and engineering are highlighted in benchmark and policy statements as essential abilities.

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Methods to cultivate critical thinking within engineering education have been examined and to some extent implemented. Essentially two major innovations have taken place, the first being the establishment of an initial course to students on what critical thinking is, why it is important an engineer has such a skill and how to incorporate this skill into everyday engineering practice. The second innovation was the creation of a seminar/discussion group for Faculty on integrating critical thinking into their respective engineering modules. Student feedback so far has asked for a more streamlined initial course and has encouraged course material in each module to include opportunities for more critical thinking.

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Capstone projects represent the culmination of an undergraduate engineering degree and are typically the last checkpoint measure before students graduate and enter the engineering profession. In Australia there is a longstanding interest in and commitment to developing quality capstone experiences.Anational study into the supervision and assessment of capstone projects has determined that whilst there is relative consistency in terms of what project tasks are set and assessed, there is not comparable consistency in how these tasks or assignments are marked. Two interconnected areas of assessing process and the role of the supervisor in marking are identified as contentious. This paper presents some findings of a national case study and concludes that whilst further investigation is warranted, assessing process as well as project products is valuable as is the need for greater acceptance of project supervisors as capable of making informed, professional judgments when marking significant project work.

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How Computer Engineering Helps You Think Creatively

But in reality, learning the basics of computer science can help you think more critically and with more novel inspiration, ultimately helping you in other areas of your life.

Thinking of a career in computing? Our “Careers in Computing” blog will get you there

Apply Creative Problem Solving to Other Areas

Let’s start by explaining why the creative problem-solving skills you’ll learn in computer science can help you in everyday life:

• Novel solutions and new products. Being familiar with creating and polishing hardware and/or software can help you come up with ingenious solutions for your everyday life. You’re used to thinking about problems as solvable challenges, so you naturally come up with ways to address them. This applies to areas beyond computer science as well; for example, one former computer engineer used his creativity to engineer a pillow that reduces pressure on your face while sleeping .
• Lateral thinking and breaking patterns. Writing code and creating applications from scratch also incentivizes you to think laterally and break the patterns you’d otherwise fall into. Traditional lines of thinking just won’t work for some problems, so you’ll be forced to think in new, creative ways. That allows you to experiment with new approaches and keep trying until you find something that works.
• Seeing problems from other perspectives. As a computer engineer, you’ll be forced to see problems from other perspectives, whether you want to or not. That might mean reviewing code that someone else wrote, getting feedback from a client who has no familiarity with engineering, or imagining how an application might look to a user who’s never seen it before. In any case, you’ll quickly learn how to broaden your perspective, which means you’ll see problems in an entirely new light.

How Computer Engineering Improves Your Abilities

So how exactly does computer engineering improve your creative abilities in this way?

• Generating new ideas. You have to be creative if you’re going to generate new ideas . In some roles, you’ll be responsible for coming up with the ideas yourself—either designing your own apps for circulation, or making direct recommendations to your clients. In other scenarios, you’ll be responsible for coming up with novel ways to include a feature that might otherwise be impossible. In any case, you’ll be forced to come up with ideas constantly, which gets easier the more you practice it.
• Reviewing code. You’ll also be responsible for reviewing code—including code that you wrote and code that other people wrote. Reviewing your own code forces you to see it from an outsider’s perspective, and reviewing the code of others gives you insight into how they think. That diverse experience lends itself to imagining scenarios from different perspectives.
• Fixing bugs. Finding and fixing bugs is an important part of the job, and it’s one of the most creatively enlightening. To resolve the problem, you first have to understand why it’s happening. If you’ve written the code yourself, it’s easy to think the program will run flawlessly, so you’ll have to challenge yourself to start looking for the root cause of the problem. Sometimes, tinkering with the code will only result in more problems, which forces you to go back to the drawing board with a new angle of approach. It’s an ideal problem-solving exercise, and one you’ll have to undergo many times.
• Aesthetics and approachability. Finally, you’ll need to think about the aesthetics and approachability of what you’re creating. Your code might be perfectly polished on the backend, but if users have a hard time understanding the sequence of actions to follow to get a product to do what they want, you may need to rebuild it.

Latest career advice from our Career Round Table: With Demand for Data Scientists at an All-Time High, Top Experts Offer Sound Career Advice

Is Computer Science Worth Learning?

If you’re not already experienced in a field related to computer science, you might feel intimidated at the idea of getting involved in the subject. After all, people spend years, if not decades studying computer science to become professionals.

The good news is, you don’t need decades of experience to see the creative problem-solving benefits of the craft. Learning the basics of a programming language, or even familiarizing yourself with the type of logic necessary to code, can be beneficial to you in your daily life. Take a few hours and flesh out your skills; you’ll be glad you did.

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Why Is Critical Thinking Important? A Survival Guide

Updated: December 7, 2023

Published: April 2, 2020

Why is critical thinking important? The decisions that you make affect your quality of life. And if you want to ensure that you live your best, most successful and happy life, you’re going to want to make conscious choices. That can be done with a simple thing known as critical thinking. Here’s how to improve your critical thinking skills and make decisions that you won’t regret.

What Is Critical Thinking?

You’ve surely heard of critical thinking, but you might not be entirely sure what it really means, and that’s because there are many definitions. For the most part, however, we think of critical thinking as the process of analyzing facts in order to form a judgment. Basically, it’s thinking about thinking.

How Has The Definition Evolved Over Time?

The first time critical thinking was documented is believed to be in the teachings of Socrates , recorded by Plato. But throughout history, the definition has changed.

Today it is best understood by philosophers and psychologists and it’s believed to be a highly complex concept. Some insightful modern-day critical thinking definitions include :

• “Reasonable, reflective thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do.”
• “Deciding what’s true and what you should do.”

The Importance Of Critical Thinking

Why is critical thinking important? Good question! Here are a few undeniable reasons why it’s crucial to have these skills.

1. Critical Thinking Is Universal

Critical thinking is a domain-general thinking skill. What does this mean? It means that no matter what path or profession you pursue, these skills will always be relevant and will always be beneficial to your success. They are not specific to any field.

2. Crucial For The Economy

Our future depends on technology, information, and innovation. Critical thinking is needed for our fast-growing economies, to solve problems as quickly and as effectively as possible.

3. Improves Language & Presentation Skills

In order to best express ourselves, we need to know how to think clearly and systematically — meaning practice critical thinking! Critical thinking also means knowing how to break down texts, and in turn, improve our ability to comprehend.

4. Promotes Creativity

By practicing critical thinking, we are allowing ourselves not only to solve problems but also to come up with new and creative ideas to do so. Critical thinking allows us to analyze these ideas and adjust them accordingly.

5. Important For Self-Reflection

Without critical thinking, how can we really live a meaningful life? We need this skill to self-reflect and justify our ways of life and opinions. Critical thinking provides us with the tools to evaluate ourselves in the way that we need to.

6. The Basis Of Science & Democracy

In order to have a democracy and to prove scientific facts, we need critical thinking in the world. Theories must be backed up with knowledge. In order for a society to effectively function, its citizens need to establish opinions about what’s right and wrong (by using critical thinking!).

Benefits Of Critical Thinking

We know that critical thinking is good for society as a whole, but what are some benefits of critical thinking on an individual level? Why is critical thinking important for us?

1. Key For Career Success

Critical thinking is crucial for many career paths. Not just for scientists, but lawyers , doctors, reporters, engineers , accountants, and analysts (among many others) all have to use critical thinking in their positions. In fact, according to the World Economic Forum, critical thinking is one of the most desirable skills to have in the workforce, as it helps analyze information, think outside the box, solve problems with innovative solutions, and plan systematically.

2. Better Decision Making

There’s no doubt about it — critical thinkers make the best choices. Critical thinking helps us deal with everyday problems as they come our way, and very often this thought process is even done subconsciously. It helps us think independently and trust our gut feeling.

3. Can Make You Happier!

While this often goes unnoticed, being in touch with yourself and having a deep understanding of why you think the way you think can really make you happier. Critical thinking can help you better understand yourself, and in turn, help you avoid any kind of negative or limiting beliefs, and focus more on your strengths. Being able to share your thoughts can increase your quality of life.

4. Form Well-Informed Opinions

There is no shortage of information coming at us from all angles. And that’s exactly why we need to use our critical thinking skills and decide for ourselves what to believe. Critical thinking allows us to ensure that our opinions are based on the facts, and help us sort through all that extra noise.

5. Better Citizens

One of the most inspiring critical thinking quotes is by former US president Thomas Jefferson: “An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people.” What Jefferson is stressing to us here is that critical thinkers make better citizens, as they are able to see the entire picture without getting sucked into biases and propaganda.

6. Improves Relationships

While you may be convinced that being a critical thinker is bound to cause you problems in relationships, this really couldn’t be less true! Being a critical thinker can allow you to better understand the perspective of others, and can help you become more open-minded towards different views.

7. Promotes Curiosity

Critical thinkers are constantly curious about all kinds of things in life, and tend to have a wide range of interests. Critical thinking means constantly asking questions and wanting to know more, about why, what, who, where, when, and everything else that can help them make sense of a situation or concept, never taking anything at face value.

8. Allows For Creativity

Critical thinkers are also highly creative thinkers, and see themselves as limitless when it comes to possibilities. They are constantly looking to take things further, which is crucial in the workforce.

9. Enhances Problem Solving Skills

Those with critical thinking skills tend to solve problems as part of their natural instinct. Critical thinkers are patient and committed to solving the problem, similar to Albert Einstein, one of the best critical thinking examples, who said “It’s not that I’m so smart; it’s just that I stay with problems longer.” Critical thinkers’ enhanced problem-solving skills makes them better at their jobs and better at solving the world’s biggest problems. Like Einstein, they have the potential to literally change the world.

10. An Activity For The Mind

Just like our muscles, in order for them to be strong, our mind also needs to be exercised and challenged. It’s safe to say that critical thinking is almost like an activity for the mind — and it needs to be practiced. Critical thinking encourages the development of many crucial skills such as logical thinking, decision making, and open-mindness.

11. Creates Independence

When we think critically, we think on our own as we trust ourselves more. Critical thinking is key to creating independence, and encouraging students to make their own decisions and form their own opinions.

12. Crucial Life Skill

Critical thinking is crucial not just for learning, but for life overall! Education isn’t just a way to prepare ourselves for life, but it’s pretty much life itself. Learning is a lifelong process that we go through each and every day.

How to Think Critically

Now that you know the benefits of thinking critically, how do you actually do it?

How To Improve Your Critical Thinking

• Define Your Question: When it comes to critical thinking, it’s important to always keep your goal in mind. Know what you’re trying to achieve, and then figure out how to best get there.
• Gather Reliable Information: Make sure that you’re using sources you can trust — biases aside. That’s how a real critical thinker operates!
• Ask The Right Questions: We all know the importance of questions, but be sure that you’re asking the right questions that are going to get you to your answer.
• Look Short & Long Term: When coming up with solutions, think about both the short- and long-term consequences. Both of them are significant in the equation.
• Explore All Sides: There is never just one simple answer, and nothing is black or white. Explore all options and think outside of the box before you come to any conclusions.

How Is Critical Thinking Developed At School?

Critical thinking is developed in nearly everything we do. However, much of this important skill is encouraged to be practiced at school, and rightfully so! Critical thinking goes beyond just thinking clearly — it’s also about thinking for yourself.

When a teacher asks a question in class, students are given the chance to answer for themselves and think critically about what they learned and what they believe to be accurate. When students work in groups and are forced to engage in discussion, this is also a great chance to expand their thinking and use their critical thinking skills.

How Does Critical Thinking Apply To Your Career?

Once you’ve finished school and entered the workforce, your critical thinking journey only expands and grows from here!

Impress Your Employer

Employers value employees who are critical thinkers, ask questions, offer creative ideas, and are always ready to offer innovation against the competition. No matter what your position or role in a company may be, critical thinking will always give you the power to stand out and make a difference.

Careers That Require Critical Thinking

Some of many examples of careers that require critical thinking include:

• Human resources specialist
• Marketing associate
• Business analyst

Truth be told however, it’s probably harder to come up with a professional field that doesn’t require any critical thinking!

Photo by  Oladimeji Ajegbile  from  Pexels

What is someone with critical thinking skills capable of doing.

Someone with critical thinking skills is able to think rationally and clearly about what they should or not believe. They are capable of engaging in their own thoughts, and doing some reflection in order to come to a well-informed conclusion.

A critical thinker understands the connections between ideas, and is able to construct arguments based on facts, as well as find mistakes in reasoning.

The Process Of Critical Thinking

The process of critical thinking is highly systematic.

What Are Your Goals?

Critical thinking starts by defining your goals, and knowing what you are ultimately trying to achieve.

Once you know what you are trying to conclude, you can foresee your solution to the problem and play it out in your head from all perspectives.

What Does The Future Of Critical Thinking Hold?

The future of critical thinking is the equivalent of the future of jobs. In 2020, critical thinking was ranked as the 2nd top skill (following complex problem solving) by the World Economic Forum .

We are dealing with constant unprecedented changes, and what success is today, might not be considered success tomorrow — making critical thinking a key skill for the future workforce.

Why Is Critical Thinking So Important?

Why is critical thinking important? Critical thinking is more than just important! It’s one of the most crucial cognitive skills one can develop.

By practicing well-thought-out thinking, both your thoughts and decisions can make a positive change in your life, on both a professional and personal level. You can hugely improve your life by working on your critical thinking skills as often as you can.

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Explained: Importance of critical thinking, problem-solving skills in curriculum

F uture careers are no longer about domain expertise or technical skills. Rather, critical thinking and problem-solving skills in employees are on the wish list of every big organization today. Even curriculums and pedagogies across the globe and within India are now requiring skilled workers who are able to think critically and are analytical.

The reason for this shift in perspective is very simple.

These skills provide a staunch foundation for comprehensive learning that extends beyond books or the four walls of the classroom. In a nutshell, critical thinking and problem-solving skills are a part of '21st Century Skills' that can help unlock valuable learning for life.

Over the years, the education system has been moving away from the system of rote and other conventional teaching and learning parameters.

They are aligning their curriculums to the changing scenario which is becoming more tech-driven and demands a fusion of critical skills, life skills, values, and domain expertise. There's no set formula for success.

Rather, there's a defined need for humans to be more creative, innovative, adaptive, agile, risk-taking, and have a problem-solving mindset.

In today's scenario, critical thinking and problem-solving skills have become more important because they open the human mind to multiple possibilities, solutions, and a mindset that is interdisciplinary in nature.

Therefore, many schools and educational institutions are deploying AI and immersive learning experiences via gaming, and AR-VR technologies to give a more realistic and hands-on learning experience to their students that hone these abilities and help them overcome any doubt or fear.

ADVANTAGES OF CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING IN CURRICULUM

Ability to relate to the real world:  Instead of theoretical knowledge, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills encourage students to look at their immediate and extended environment through a spirit of questioning, curiosity, and learning. When the curriculum presents students with real-world problems, the learning is immense.

Confidence, agility & collaboration : Critical thinking and problem-solving skills boost self-belief and confidence as students examine, re-examine, and sometimes fail or succeed while attempting to do something.

They are able to understand where they may have gone wrong, attempt new approaches, ask their peers for feedback and even seek their opinion, work together as a team, and learn to face any challenge by responding to it.

Willingness to try new things: When problem-solving skills and critical thinking are encouraged by teachers, they set a robust foundation for young learners to experiment, think out of the box, and be more innovative and creative besides looking for new ways to upskill.

It's important to understand that merely introducing these skills into the curriculum is not enough. Schools and educational institutions must have upskilling workshops and conduct special training for teachers so as to ensure that they are skilled and familiarized with new teaching and learning techniques and new-age concepts that can be used in the classrooms via assignments and projects.

Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are two of the most sought-after skills. Hence, schools should emphasise the upskilling of students as a part of the academic curriculum.

The article is authored by Dr Tassos Anastasiades, Principal- IB, Genesis Global School, Noida. 

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