critical+thinking

Critical thinking is not a skill that can be taught by or to people. This is an acquired skill, which means the best way to become an expert is through practice. I have realized that my critical thinking skills have improved throughout my college experience, because in my classes my thinking and processing were actually put to the test. Throughout middle school, I used very little critical thinking skills; rather, the teachers taught us what we needed to know. By using inquiry based strategies in our classroom, we will be benefiting the students and in turn "teaching" them how to critically think. Critical thinking means to think outside the box. The best way to think outside the box is to participate in alternative classroom activities. Encouraging students to ask questions that might not be the ones they are used to asking is another way we can help them critically think.


 * Meg's Response**: Samantha, your question about the need to enhance critical thinking skills within the context of language instruction is a provocative one. I would challenge you, therefore, to revisit your answer and shift your focus more to the application of these skills into language instructiong. You do a good job of exploring critical thinking and what it is, yet you haven't responded to the second part of your question, which deals with langauge. Additionally, whne you discuss alternative classroom activities, think specifically and work to identify applicable ways for students to "critically think outside of the box" when participating in language instruction.