Critical thinking is central to university culture in the environment of debate and discussion; each student enters with their own particular world view and will encounter other world views.
Education that focuses on critical thinking encourages students to identify and question their own world view, be open to other world views, develop a position on topics under discussion and present a cogent argument.
Elements of critical thinking pertinent to studies include:
- presenting arguments - thesis, supporting points
- debate - dealing with differences, opposition
- reflection - asking questions
- is both private and communicative
- outcome is making a decision and acting on what one comes to think or believe
- involves emotion as well as reason (refer Brookfield)
- requires openness
Critical thinking skills may vary from discipline to discipline, even from teacher to teacher. Important to develop skills in addition to other learning skills - reading, listening, discussing.
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