Today I read a long explanation of Critical Thinking by Steven D. Schafersman, which you can read here, Introduction to Critical Thinking. It was published in January, 1991. An excerpt from his manual states, "Children are not born with the power to think critically, nor do they develop this ability naturally beyond survival-level thinking. Critical thinking is a learned ability that must be taught. Most individuals never learn it".

The manual covers the following topics:

Introduction to Critical Thinking
Purpose and Rationale of Teaching Critical Thinking
Definition of Critical Thinking
Relationship of Critical Thinking to the Scientific Method
Formal Critical Thinking Programs
Course Areas In Which to Emphasize Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking Teaching Strategies and Classroom Techniques

The manual is written in layman's terms and is a very good read. The author doesn't discriminate, preach or cast stones. Critical thinking is explained, with examples, in a very easy to grasp way.

-------------------------------------

However, my research has found many converts who aren't quite so open-minded or generous. I find it interesting that many "modern" educators and organizations are recommending "critical thinking" as the be all and end all of teaching in the 21st century. Some label non-critical thinkers (how is that determined) as black and white thinkers, egotists and believe "non-critical thinkers" use "their" or "I", because they are selfish. The "critical thinking" proponents seem to be taking a really good evolved concept and turning it into another "religion", complete with converts and fervor. Get a grip.

Use "critical thinking" to explore critical thinking. Remember, rely on reason rather than emotion and keep an open mind.

Cheers - Mike

What have we learned? Are we having fun yet?

Today we have a number of sites to visit for a broad discussion of influences of old affecting our 21st century thinking. We start with Ancient Wisdom for 21st Century Business Communication by Pamela Ziemann. This really applies to students, teachers and educators too. Explore this site. There are some very good tips to be seen.

From a Wikipedia page we have Diversity in Teaching in the Classroom - from days of old to now.

History and Artifacts leading to Teaching History in the 21st Century - bringing historical research to life.

We've learned that the old ones were very smart. They experimented, observed, recorded, created and had a great deal of skill and ingenuity. They used what they had and mystified us for centuries.
Have a look at this site as an example, 21st century technology reveals alchemists' secret recipe.

They learned to write and so, handed down through the ages, we have a collection of writings of philosophy, nature, science and much more.

We've learned that the humanities must not be forgotten in our 21st century. Use technology, but use it to further a whole knowledge, not a fractured knowledge.

Understanding our past allows us to understand our future. The study of anthropology - archaeology and material culture, socio-cultural anthropology, and biological anthropology helps us understand ourselves now and leads us into the future.

We must learn from the rise and fall of previous civilizations.

I'm not indicating we don't need technology, we do need it. Here is just one reason, of millions, why, 21st Century detective work reveals how ancient rock got off to a hot start. But not technology for technology's sake. It is back to the whole. And that is why teaching will have to become more student-centric than in the past. The Factory school standard has to be changed or we will fail our students - our scientists - our doctors - our teachers - our future.

Cheers - Mike

"How do you Inspire?" is a huge topic. I have chosen a number of sites to represent not only schools/students, but business as well. This is a topic which involves almost everyone in their daily lives.

From the UK we have this article by Dr Maggie Aderin-Pocock, who was inspired and wants to inspire a new generation of students. Her very good article called Let's inspire the next generation of scientists is well worth the read.

A book called Inspire! by Lance H. K. Secretan, looks like it would be well worth reading. A write up about the book can be found here. He looks at a corporate or business environment. An excerpt from the blurb, "...The key to extraordinary long-term performance lies in a transformational commitment to inspiring people rather than motivating them..."

And from the HR Cafe Blog a short article by Michael Boyette called Motivating employees: How do you inspire workers?. Also a good read.

This interesting link is from, of all places, eHarmony. It is called Do You Desire to Inspire? 10 Ways to Inspire the People Around You, which is a good read too.

Well, here is a website representing a group of educators who care about 21st century skills and learning. There seems to be a huge emphasis on technology for developing 21st century skills. Perhaps this is due to the influence of Microsoft. Unfortunately they have partnered with Microsoft for logging in (Windows Live ID). However, Microsoft sponsors some of their activities, such as the 2009 U.S. Innovative Teachers Forum, which takes place August 13-14. The theme is "How do you inspire?". I did get a login id and browsed the site: Innovative Teachers Network "...a global community of educators who share a common interest in enhancing teaching and learning through the innovative use of information and communication technology...". Interesting site, but very Microsoft-centric.

Also thinking of the future and doing something about it, is the Hamilton-Wentworth District School Board {HWDSB} in Hamilton, Ontario. They host a website called Secondary Schools of the Future, and are "...embarking on a comprehensive review of secondary education with a goal of determining a vision for a secondary education of the future...".
The HWDSB sponsors a forum here: Secondary Schools of the Future Online Forum
If you have some input please register and take part.

Cheers - Mike

For this post, a School of the Future story from Philadelphia. It seems like a lot of emphasis on technology for "learning", and the technology is mentioned more than learning. Emphasis on notebook computers and smart boards but little emphasis on teaching. Here is a more up-to-date story about the school. Again, very little about teaching, curriculum, educating, but more on technology.
Well, Marshall McLuhan said it best: "the medium is the message/massage". Is that really the "message" we want?

It is a pity that so much emphasis is on technology and so little on inter-personal relational learning. Perhaps an addition to the curriculum would help, such as this one for example. Facilitating Interpersonal Relationships in the Classroom: The Relational Literacy Curriculum

Perhaps the school of the future would better prepare their students using a methodology for all classes, such as Relational Learning.

Another example is from Australia, Applied Relational Learning - Tell Someone Who Cares.

I do not know how the "educators" are incorporating "learning" techniques at this school, but here us an interesting blog leading up to creating and opening the school, School of the Future WebLog. I liked his paragraph about "Hope Matters".

Cheers - Mike

Homework has been the bane of their existence for students everywhere. But is it necessary?

Here is School Library Journal talking with Alfie Kohn. "Why do schools keep giving more homework when research shows there's no correlation to academic achievement?..."

I found this statement by a commenter at For and Against, "...Homework is schoolwork to take home, because the school day isn't long enough for the teachers to make sure that the students are fully and correctly learned in the days lesson...".
Now if that indeed is the case, then change the teaching model, the lesson plan or the teacher.

More on the subject of homework at IS HOMEWORK NECESSARY?.

On the other hand, Is Homework Necessary and How do I Grade It?.

And on the other hand, Homework robs children of their childhood.

There is much more about this topic but this blog illustrates the issue.

So, last but not least, a story about "A call for the great Canadian homework ban" from Chris Corrigan.

Cheers - Mike