The Critical Thinking Initiative

TCTI welcomes Peter Arthur, Ph.D. Peter is a frequent keynote speaker and sought-after workshop facilitator on “Enhancing Metacognition, Growth Mindset and Grit for Student Success.” He speaks with Steve and Dave about the intersects between his work and critical thinking. Plus, Steve has some depressing news of the week, and we learn why critical thinking isn't the same thing as being smart.

In this episode, Steve and Dave take a walk into some of the science around how the brain functions relative to learning.  Beware!  Discussions of "amygdalas" and "basal ganglia" may emerge.  But if you want to tap into your students brain power, here is some of the research on how to do it.

Struggling to find ways to integrate direct critical thinking instruction into your courses?  In this week's episode, Steve and Dave offer some modified versions of three exercises straight from The Critical Thinking Initiative handbook, exercises you can easily adapt into your coursework regardless of subject, discipline, or even grade level.  Also, learn about a mysterious "mental gremlin"!

In this episode, Dave and Steve tackle the controversial topic of assessment in education, examining the research about the relationship between critical thinking education and critical thinking assessment.  Learn about the powerful roles assessment plays in education as a whole, the value of including critical thinking in assessment, the need for assessment to be more than just a grade, and the importance interdisciplinary considerations.  

In this first episode of The Critical Thinking Initiative, Steve and Dave take you beyond the popular misconceptions of why critical thinking is so hard to teach.  Learn the five research-supported factors that undermine critical thinking outcomes.  Steve and Dave will help you start to understand how to build a critical thinking ecosystem in your class or at your institution.