E-Learning-Inclusivo (Mashup)

Critical thinking is an immensely important skill for graduates entering the workforce, and higher education institutions need to re-commit to ensuring it is developed.

Those on both the far right and far left tend to “adhere to their belief system in a rigid fashion, leading them to perceive their political ideas as the simple and only solution to societal problems,” writes a research team led by psychologist Jan-Willem van Prooijen of VU University Amsterdam.

"Questioning is the key to critical thinking and through questions students  get to explore the deep layers of meanings that would otherwise go unnoticed. Of course not all questions have this analytical ability. For instance, closed questions tend to limit the thinking choices available for students. The same with questions that promote factual recalling. Questions that emphasize the mechanical on the analytical are out of the list..."

Guest blogger Julie Coiro, a professor of education, examines four critical thinking disciplines for helping middle and high school students determine the value of information they read online.

Experts at an international summit advise more prudence in bestowing accommodations.

Summary from Academica Top Ten - 24 July 2014

Disability experts urge “prudence” when providing accommodations

More than 400 disability experts met in Ottawa July 12–15 to discuss topics including accessibility innovations, employment strategies, and the challenges of helping persons with psychiatric disabilities. One theme that emerged from the conference was the need for greater prudence when offering accommodations to students at PSE institutions. Manju Banerjee, Director of the Landmark College Institute for Research and Training in Vermont, said that many students are labeled as having disabilities but would benefit more from instruction on study habits than academic accommodations. Larry McCloskey, Director of Carleton’s Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities, agreed that some students who feel they are “entitled” to accommodations would benefit more from being taught better time management and learning strategies. Other speakers noted that some students who receive accommodations during university are surprised when they do not receive the same consideration in the workforce, and suggested that sustainable skill development is critical. University Affairs

"This article, “The Case for Banning Laptops in the Classroom”, written by Dan Rockmore for The New Yorker, has been getting considerable airtime on social media this week. As a classroom instructor I can certainly attest to the power of technology to distract and interfere with student learning. But I had three issues with the “case” being made."

Metacognition is about being able to successfully plan, monitor, and evaluate your learning. It’s not a skill that can be listed as a strength by most of our students. 

Here are three ways to create a classroom climate that confronts students with themselves as learners.

This week we’ve focused on critical thinking using the model developed by the Foundation for Critical Thinking. By now you’re probably excited about the incredible potential that these tools hold…and a little overwhelmed. Where to start...

"...While there are many different ways that the LMS may enhance a course, one of the most prevalent ways is through the utilization of discussion boards ..."

©

"When it comes to differentiating critical thinking from creative thinking, things get a little bit blurry as there is no consensus as to what really defines these processes. This ..."

Summary from Academica Top Ten - Wed 9 July 2014

Is email on the way out?

Following the introduction of the Canada’s Anti-Spam Legislation (CASL), some are wondering whether or not we are in the last days of e-mail. An article in the Globe andMail makes the case that for many people, this would be a welcome change. According to one technology research firm, 108.7 billion emails are sent and received around the world every day, mostly from business accounts. Data show that employees spend on average 40% of their time dealing with internal email, often at the cost of productivity on more important tasks. As a result, some organizations are turning to alternatives such as Twitter or instant-messaging apps for internal communications. Some companies are also considering platforms for external communications that better engage readers who want to be entertained as well as informed, as well as having the potential to go viral. The Globe and Mail

The world might be surprised to get A Note On The Future from Africa, but that is precisely what’s happening. And the topic? A new way we learn.While learning and education is one of the highest

"Critical thought is a cognitive process that proposes the systematic analysis of information, opinion and statements that we accept in our daily life as valid or true. It is a basic skill for a competent, free and responsible citizen."

Download an 11X17 version of the Developing 21st Century Critical Thinkers Infographic by Mentoring Minds.com.