The technology of critical thinking brings up a new generation of students who are able to quickly respond to changes in all the spheres of life: from the problems of everyday life to changes in global politics or economics. This way of learning develops knowledge, based not on memorization, but on the qualitative assessment of information. It allows identifying a problem and finding a right solution.
In order to develop a critical thinking, the lesson should consist of three phases: actualization, knowledge building and consolidation.
The actualization phase resembles the process, when the grain is being planted in fertile soil. A positive result depends not only on the grain, but also on some other factors, such as previous knowledge, the level of complexity of the material. At this stage, the teacher discovers the previous knowledge of the children and sets the goals and objectives of the new topic.
The actualization phase is followed by the knowledge building phase. At this stage, the accumulation of knowledge and its systematization takes place. The results are summarized, and the teacher asks questions to check the knowledge.
The last stage is the consolidation phase when everything learned is summed up and concluded.
METHODS TO DEVELOP CRITICAL THINKING
«Conceptual table» - comparison of three or more questions. Horizontal line contains information for comparison, while vertical line contains features, which are used for the comparison being made.
«Pyramid» presupposes the process, when pupils write the first line with only one noun. The second line consists of two words, the third one consists of three words, etc. Then, the amount of words decreases: - 3, 2, 1.
«Clusters» - the major theme is being written in the centre of the page, while words and terms connected to it, are written around.
«Key phrases». The teacher reads or writes key phrases to the new topic. Pupils, either in pairs or in groups should come up with a short text using the phrases presented.
These methods are well suited for the development of critical thinking. Critical thinking intersects with the creative one, the synthesis of which creates a confident contemporary person.
