Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
“The student engages in inquiry and problem solving, reasoning, and evaluating to reach conclusions.”
“Problem solving and critical thinking refers to the ability to use knowledge, facts, and data to effectively solve problems. This doesn’t mean you need to have an immediate answer, it means you have to be able to think on your feet, assess problems and find solutions.
Having the necessary skills to identify solutions to problems – as well as the ability to develop a well thought out solution within a reasonable time- are essential skills that employers look for in employees. Ideal employees can work through problems on their own or as an effective member of a team; they can think critically and creatively, share thoughts and opinions, use good judgment, and make decisions.”[1]
Through our CivicTREK projects, we are helping our students meet the Five C’s goals from Profile of a Virginia Graduate such as critical thinking and problem solving.
How can we help students to think critically – to:
- Identify, define, and analyze a problem, using various types of appropriate reasoning?
- Evaluate their claims, arguments, and beliefs in light of collected evidence?
- Make decisions that generate their process of solving the problem? and
- Understand their issue within the context of a larger system or challenge?
The following short video addresses the impact of critical thinking and inquiry-based learning: Inquiry-Based Teaching
CivicTREK Connection: How do we measure critical thinking? Please see the three attached grade-appropriate Critical Thinking Rubrics and see if you could modify them to assess the critical thinking skills that your own students are demonstrating, in the process of their CivicTREK project.
PBLworks-Critical-Thinking-Rubric – Grades K – 2-1
PBLworks-Critical-Thinking-Rubric – Grades 3- 5
PBLworks-Critical-Thinking-Rubric – Grades 6 – 12
And here are some additional strategies to stimulate critical thinking in your CivicTREK project.
