Why is it Important that Students Think Critically?

1. Phoenix College Critical Thinking Assessment Committee • How We Assess Critical Thinking? • Test of Everyday Reasoning (TER) • 35-question, national standardized test • Assesses key critical thinking skills: analysis, inference, evaluation, deduction and induction. • Sample TER Question: • Three friends, Anna, Barbara, and Carolyn, completed the same computer skills course. The 3 of them studied together the whole time. When the final grades came out, Anna had earned a higher grade than Carolyn. Carolyn had earned a higher grade than Barbara. Carolyn also earned a higher grade than their classmate David, who had said the course was really easy. Given only this information, it follows that: • a) David deserved a higher grade. • b) Barbara’s grade was higher than Carolyn’s. • c) Barbara’s grade was higher than Anna’s. • d) David’s grade was lower than Anna’s. • e) Anna needs to take a more advanced course. • Why Assess Critical Thinking? • To support improvement of the learning environment and student success. • To provide evidence of institutional effectiveness – that students learn what they are here to learn. • What Have We Learned? • 2003-2004: Baseline TER administered to 453 students from 24 course sections • 2009: Follow-up TER administered to 442 students from 24 course sections What is Critical Thinking? Process of using reason to understand, analyze, evaluate, synthesize and apply information in order to solve problems Why is it Important that Students Think Critically? Academic and professional programs require it. Students must excel on the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT and other exams to gain entrance to these programs. To be competitive, students need to master the critical thinking skills these tests demand. Employers want it. Employees with critical thinking skills are not just good at executing instructions, but are self-directed, independent workers. The world needs it. "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them.“ ~ Albert Einstein ~ • What Does Our Committee Do? • The Critical Thinking Assessment Committee: • Evaluates and assesses critical thinking skills among PC students • Supports faculty efforts to improve teaching and learning of critical thinking • Conducts workshops to promote teaching and learning of critical thinking • Provides critical thinking resources for faculty use (websites, sample rubrics, course assignments and activities) For More Information Please Contact: Critical Thinking Assessment Committee Deborah Kappes & Robin Cotter (Co-Chairs) Kathleen Ellis Eddie Genna Bev Jenkins John Schampel Laura Galloway Jeanne Arquette Website: Phoenix College Homepage ► Faculty & Staff ► Academic Committees ► Critical Thinking