What Is Critical Thinking?

As the basis for our Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP), critical thinking has been identified as the key to successful learning outcomes for our students.

Angelina College defines critical thinking as the dynamic process of questioning preconceptions and biases through the gathering and evaluation of data to reach new conclusions that consider realistic implications and consequences.

Although there are several models and strategies that promote critical thinking, one model should be utilized to facilitate consistency and a common understanding for curriculum design and evaluation. The curriculum at Angelina College will reflect the model prescribed by Richard Paul and Linda Elder.

For more information regarding the Paul/Elder Model of Critical Thinking go to the Supplemental Unit for Critical Thinking on your My Blackboard page or visit:

The Foundation for Critical Thinking

Assessment Tools and Resources

Angelo, T. A. & Cross, K. P. (1993). Classroom assessment techniques: A handbook for college teachers. Jossey-Bass.

Huba, M. E. & Freed.J. E. (2000). Learner Centered Assessment on College Campuses: Shifting the focus from Teaching to Learning. Allyn and Bacon.

Books

Boyd, Robert. (2002). Critical reasoning and logic. Prentice Hall.

Epstein, Richard, L. (2005). Critical thinking. Wadsworth.

Hiler, Wesley & Paul, Richard. (2005). Active and cooperative learning, (2nd ed.). Foundation of Critical Thinking.

McWhorter, Kathleen, T. (2006). Study and critical thinking skills in college, (6th ed.). Pearson Education, Inc.

Nosich, Gerald, M. (2005). Learning to think things through: A guide to critical thinking across the curriculum. Prentice Hall.

Paul, Richard & Elder, Linda. (2005). The miniature guide to critical thinking: Concepts and tools. Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Paul, Richard & Elder, Linda. (2003). How to improve student learning: 30 practical ideas. Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Paul, Richard & Elder, Linda. (2004). The art of strategic thinking: 25 weeks to better thinking and better living. Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Paul, Richard & Elder, Linda. (2003). How to write a paragraph, (5th ed.). Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Paul, Richard & Elder, Linda. (2006). How to read a paragraph. Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Paul, Richard & Elder, Linda. (2005). The miniature guide to the art of asking essential questions, (3rd ed.). Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Paul, Richard & Elder, Linda. (2001). How to study and learn a discipline. Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Ruggiero, Vincent, R. (2006). Becoming a critical thinker, (5th ed.). Houghton Mifflin Company.

Walter, Timothy, L., Knudsvig, Glenn M., & Smith, Donald E. (2002). Critical thinking: Building the basics. Wadsworth.

PowerPoint Presentations

Critical Thinking (by Sellestine Hunt and Marianna Duncan)

QEP (by Dr. Laura Hebert)

Orientation to QEP at Angelina College (by Dr. Monica Peters)

Status of QEP Fall 2009 (by Dr. Monica Peters)

Websites

Critical Thinking: A Statement of Expert Consensus for Purposes of Educational Assessment and Instruction
http://www.insightassessment.com/pdf_files/DEXadobe.PDF

Handbook of Resources for the Year of Critical Thinking
http://academic.pg.cc.md.us/~wpeirce/MCCCTR/handbook.pdf

The Foundation for Critical Thinking
www.criticalthinking.org

Washington State Critical Thinking Project
http://wsuctproject.wsu.edu/ph.htm

Surry Community College – Critical Thinking Website
http://www.surry.edu/about/ct/index.html

Business Division
Division contact (Saundra May, Keith New, Occie Cluff, Patrick Hale, Becky Innerarity)

Books

Allen, Roberta & Mascolini, Marcia. (1997). The process of writing: Composing through critical thinking. Prentice Hall.

Kubasek, Nancy, K., Brennan, Bartley, A., & Browne, Neil. (2006). Legal environment of business: A critical thinking approach. Prentice Hall.

Sormunen, C. (1992). Critical thinking in business education. Paper presented at the American Vocational Association Convention, St. Louis, MO, December 1992.
Critical thinking can be evaluated through authentic assessment using a four-step process: clarify reasons for the assessment, clarify performance to be evaluated design exercises, and design a performance rating plan.

Springer, C. W., &  A. F. Borthick. 2004. Business simulation to stage critical thinking in introductory accounting: Rationale, design and implementation. Issues in Accounting Education 19(3): 277-303.

Fine Arts Division
Division contact (Sabrina Collins, Burlon Wilkerson, Beckie Compton, Reginald Reynolds, Kary Raine)

Books

Eyerdam, Pamela, J. (2003). Using internet primary sources to teach critical thinking skills in visual arts. Libraries Unlimited.

Websites

CEDFA – Critical Thinking in Art
http://finearts.esc20.net/art/art_strategies/art_strat_crit.html

CEDFA – Instructional Strategies (Critical Thinking and Problem Solving)

 

Health Careers Division
Division contact (Kathy Hall, Angie Wilcox, Alysa Bass, Marilyn Craig, Bridgett Geist, Agnes Estraza)

Books

Durand, Kathryn, S. (1999). Critical thinking: Developing skills in radiography. F.A. Davis.

Preusser, Barbara A. (2004). Critical thinking in medical-surgical settings: A case study approach. Elsevier Health Sciences.

LeMone, Priscilla & Burke, Karen. (2003). Medical-surgical nursing: Critical thinking in client care. Prentice Hall.

Lipe, Saundra, K. & Beasley, Sharon. (2003). Critical thinking in nursing: A cognitive skills workbook. Lippincott, Williams, and Wilkins.

Scheffer, Barbara. (2005). Critical thinking tactics for nurses. Jones & Bartlett Publishers, Inc.

White, Lois. (2001). Critical thinking in practical/vocational nursing. Thomson Delmar Learning.

Wilkinson, Judith, M. (2007). Nursing process and critical thinking (4th ed.). Prentice Hall.

Liberal Arts Division
Division Contact (Laura Hebert, Diana Throckmorton, Edith Miller, Debbie Jenke, Kevin Wooten, Sandra Johnson)

Books

Barnet, Sylvan & Bedau, Hugo. (2004). Critical thinking, reading, and writing: A brief guide to argument. Bedford/St. Martin’s.

Bensley, D. Alan. (1997). Critical thinking in psychology: A unified skills approach. Wadsworth.

Cromwell, Lucy, S. (1986). Teaching critical thinking in the arts and humanities. Alverno Productions: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Halonen, Jane, S. (1995). Teaching critical thinking in psychology. Alverno Productions: Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Meltzoff, Julian. (1998). Critical thinking about research: Psychology and related fields. American Psychological Association: Washington, D.C.

Shiveley, James, M. & VanFossen, Phillip, J. (2001). Using internet primary sources to teach critical thinking skills in government economics, and contemporary world issues. Libraries Unlimited.

Science and Mathematics Division
Division Contact (Dr. Sally Haas, Tom Dudley, Stacy Pfluger, Jason Douglas)

Books

Blitzer, Robert, F. (2005). Thinking mathematically. Prentice Hall.

Bluman, Allan, G. (2003). Critical thinking workbook: Student edition T/a elementary statistics. McGraw-Hill Science/Engineering/Math.

Glazer, E. (2001). Using internet primary sources to teach critical thinking skills in mathematics. Libraries Unlimited.

Johnson, Carolyn. (2003). Using internet primary sources to teach critical thinking skills in the sciences. Libraries Unlimited.

Mendenhall, William & Sincich, Terry. (2007). Statistics for engineers and the sciences. Prentice Hall.

Paul, Richard & Elder, Linda. (2003). Scientific Thinking. Foundation for Critical Thinking.

Sharma, Martha, B. & Elbow, Gary, S. (2000). Using internet primary sources to teach critical thinking skills in geography. Libraries Unlimited.
 

Websites

Critical Thinking in Mathematics

http://www.cdtl.nus.edu.sg/ctp/maths.htm

Technology and Workforce Division
Division Contact (Jayne McCurry, Vicky Milstead, Gary White, Scott Hutzell)

Student Success - STSU 0100 - 0300
Contact (Sellestine Hunt, Dr. Monica Peters)

The textbook that is utilized in STSU 0300 is Becoming A Master Student (Dave Ellis, 2008). The text includes critical thinking exercises in each lesson. These ideas are from Peter Facione. The critical thinking exercises are adapted from his book:

Facione, Peter. (1996). Critical thinking: What it is and why it counts. Millbrae, CA: The California Academic Press.

OQE Home

QEP (pdf) 

QEP Implementation Plan (pdf)

Critical Thinking

Division Facilitators (Faculty Learning Community)

QEP Advisory Committee

Minutes