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Much lip service is given to the notion that students are learning to think critically. Studies consistently show that though faculty say that critical thinking is important to their instruction, they have difficulty articulating a clear conception of it and demonstrating how they foster it (Gardner 1995; Paul, Elder, & Bartell, 1997).
In order for students to learn critical thinking, instructors need to explicitly teach it through focused instruction. And standards for doing this are essential. Thus in the next few columns we focus on some essential critical thinking competency standards. In this first column of the series, we essentially argue for the importance of critical thinking to instruction. In the several columns that follow, we provide examples of the competencies (Paul & Elder, 2007).
These competencies serve as a resource for teachers, curriculum designers, administrators, and accrediting bodies. The use of these competencies across the curriculum will ensure that critical thinking is fostered in the teaching of any subject. Large groups of students can be expected to achieve these competencies only when most faculty within a particular institution are fostering critical thinking standards in their subject(s). It is unreasonable to expect students to learn critical thinking at any substantive level through one or a few semesters of instruction. However, basic critical thinking competencies can be achieved by most students. The most basic and important competencies must be reinforced across the curriculum. Some competencies might well be taught in a more restricted way.
As you read this series of columns, it should become clear that any well-educated student or citizen needs the abilities and dispositions fostered through the critical thinking competencies articulated herein. To transform classrooms into communities of thinkers, one must take a longterm view. Educators need to reflect widely and broadly as well as to be systematic, committed, and visionary. The task is challenging indeed. But it is a challenge ignored at the risk of the well-being of both students and that of the entire society.
Assessing Students' Critical Thinking Abilities
The critical thinking competency standards articulated in this series exemplify the standards needed for assessing students' critical thinking abilities. They enable administrators, teachers, and faculty to determine the extent to which students are reasoning critically within any subject or discipline. These standards...