Discusses six stages of the development of critical thinkers: unreflective, challenged, beginning, practicing, advanced, and master thinkers. For each stage, describes the defining feature, the principle challenge, the knowledge or insight into thinking expressed, and the individual's skill in thinking. (AJL)

Describes the following six stages that individuals go through as they develop as critical thinkers: reflective, challenged, beginning, practicing, advanced, and master thinker. For each stage, describes relevant intellectual traits, the self-assessment needed to move forward, and potential obstacles. (AJL)

Discusses the implications of the stage theory of critical thinking development. Argues that people actively pass through the predictable stages of unreflective, challenged, beginning, practicing, advanced, and master thinkers and that educators must bring critical thinking into instruction at the foundational level. Analyzes implications for…

Argues that few students learn to think well within the disciplines and domains of knowledge and experience. Offers 18 ideas for students to utilize in order to become better critical thinkers and learners, including: (1) becoming an active learner; (2) becoming a questioner; and (3) looking for interconnections. First in a series of articles.…

Examines the importance of teaching critical thinking and intellectual standards through the use of an engaged lecture style. Indicates that engaged lectures pressure students to intellectually process the information conveyed by the teacher and thus better understand the lecture's content. Describes the key issues regarding the implementation of…

Contends that students must understand the foundations of ethical reasoning in order to develop the ability to think critically about ethical issues. Discusses three foundations upon which all ethical reasoning must rest: (1) a sound understanding of ethical concepts and principles; (2) the knowledge that ethics is different from other domains of…

Stresses that critical thinking is more than a set of skills; it also involves intellectual traits that should be cultivated. These traits include intellectual humility, courage, empathy, integrity, and perseverance; faith in reason; and fair-mindedness. Self-questioning is an important means of developing these traits. (SL)

Asserts that becoming adept at understanding the logic of subjects, issues, and questions is a competency that, once learned, becomes a foundation for highly skilled and practical teaching and learning. Promotes the model of teaching students to seek the logic of things through the logic of science. (VWC)

Lists nine strategies that help students move from being an "unreflective thinker" to a "master thinker," discussing in detail the last five strategies: reshaping character; dealing with egocentrism; redefining the way to see things; getting in touch with emotions; and analyzing group influences on life. (PGS)

Presents the first four of nine strategies that students can use to develop their critical thinking skills: using "wasted time" to practice critical thinking; choosing a problem at the beginning of each day to work on; developing a heightened awareness of universal intellectual standards; and writing journal entries each week that analyze…

Suggests that there are three ways of taking in information: internalizing inert information, forming activated ignorance, or achieving activated knowledge. Explains that only activated knowledge leads the learner, by implication, to more knowledge, and that seeking the logic of things can lead to discovery of activated knowledge. (NB)

Provides the example of writing as a subject in which an educator might design instruction so that students think their way through the logic of the subject rather than memorize bits and pieces of someone else's thought (never grasping its logic). Presents four instructional steps: prethinking the course, student orientation, initial practice, and…

Advocates teaching critical thinking through showing students the logic of a subject. Uses one example of instruction in history that allows students to think their way through the logic of the subject rather than memorize bits and pieces of someone else's thought (never grasping its logic). (VWC)

Asserts that students' emotions should be nurtured in the educational process to help foster positive reactions to instructional materials. States also that the relationship between the cognitive function of the mind and the affective, or feeling, dimension must be understood so that students will develop critical-thinking skills. (VWC)

Argues that students should continuously question the purpose of their daily classroom activities and assignments. Explains that when students are required to consider purpose, they begin to develop important intellectual skills, and to bring relevance to their critical thinking and daily life. (NB)