How Can Civic Education Enhances Civil Society Essay

Municipal training is basic to every single resident in a common society. Along these lines it must be recognizable. Urban training adds to the prosperity of society. This introduction is planned for examining how urban training can upgrade common society. The key ideas in this introduction are metro training and common society. In this way it is essential to know the significance of these two terms. Metro training is the field of study managing rights and obligations of citizenship just as the duties of the legislature. It manages the dedication, suppositions, qualities and difficulties of the national and common society everywhere (Mwaipaya 1980). A Civil society is an open spot between the states the market and the conventional family unit, where individuals discussion and handles activity. Municipal training improves common society from various perspectives, as one of the parts is city information which it grants in the resident of the common society. In the event that the common society know about their privileges and on the off chance that they comprehend what to do it is simple for them to partake in different exercises of the common society. Community training bestows information on majority rules system among the resident of the common society; popular government just methods a discourse, a conversation, and a deliberative procedure wherein resident draw in themselves being referred to about city information like what are the establishment of that specific common society, and if the common society will have information on vote based system issues it will improve. Consequently this information about majority rules system must be conferred to the common society through metro instruction and by doing so it is improving the requirements of a common society (Brookers etal 1980). Community instruction additionally upgrades common society as far as vote based system since it is through city training that we know and disclose to othe rs on how majority rules system acts and relies upon certain essential qualities like regard for individual, the option to take an interest in the usage of legislative issues and advancement programs, hence if individuals in a common society know about these rights and duties, the common society will be improved. City training can improve the common society due to its municipal abilities, if residents can practice their privileges and release their obligations as individuals from self-overseeing networks, they are just need to procure pertinent scholarly and participatory aptitudes, when we state scholarly abilities these are fundamental for educated, successful and indivisible resident from content, to have the option to ponder contemporary pertinence just as order of a lot of a scholarly instruments or contemplations helpful in managing such an issue. Subsequently if the general public will have metro aptitudes it will consequently be upgraded and there will be snappy improvement in that specific common society (Z.C.E.A, 2004). Another scholarly ability which great city training cultivates is that of depicting. The capacity to depict capacities and procedures, for example, administrative governing rules or legal survey is demonstrative of comprehension, portraying patterns like investment i n common life, migration or work enables the residents to fit recent developments into longer term design (Patterson, 2001). Metro training tries to create skill in clarifying and dissecting issues, if resident can clarify how something should function, they will have the option to investigate things as the parts and results of goals, social, political or financial procedures and organizations. The capacity to break down empowers one to recognize realities and feeling or among means and closures. It likewise encourages the resident to explain duties, for example, those among individual and open obligations or those between chose or delegated authorities and residents, consequently this can possibly occurs if individuals in a common society have common aptitudes and by having these abilities in a common society implies that municipal instruction is carrying out its responsibility of improving the common society (African Development Bank Achieving Millennium Development Goals in Global neediness, 2002). Moreover, urban instruction upgrades common society through the segment of metro abilities, so that training for citizenship in a just society centers around municipal aptitudes that are required for educated, compelling and capable support in the political procedure and in common society, those abilities can be classified as communicating, observing and affecting. Associating relates to the aptitudes resident need to convey and to work helpfully with others. To connect is to be receptive to one’s individual residents, to interface is to address, to reply and to consider with affability, along these lines if individuals have the option to collaborate and address others toward certain basic great the common society will be upgraded. Observing legislative issues and government basically alludes to the aptitudes residents need to follow the treatment of issues by the political procedure and by the administration. Checking likewise implies the practicing of over sight works with r espect to residents. At long last the participatory aptitude of impacting alludes to the ability to influence the procedure of governmental issues and administration, both the proper procedures of administration in the network (Mwaipaya, 1986). Municipal instruction can improve and upgrade our common society through the segment of community miens fundamental characteristics of private and open character. This is essential to the upkeep and improvement of protected vote based system. Urban airs, as municipal aptitudes, grow gradually extra time and because of what one realizes and involvement with the home, school and associations of common society. These encounters ought to incite understanding that popular government requires the dependable self - administration of every individual worth and their respect. One can't exist without the other. Attributes of private character, for example, moral duty, self - control and regard for the value and human respect of each individual are no less significant. Such attributes as open energy, class, and regard for the standard of law, basic mindedness to tune in, arrange and bargain are basic to majority rule government achievement (Patterson, 2001). Metro instruction can improve common society because of urban miens that add to the political productivity of the individual, the solid working of the political framework, a feeling of poise and commendable just as the benefit of everyone were distinguished in national gauges for civics and government. In light of a legitimate concern for curtness, these auras are private and open character may be portrayed as turning into an autonomous individual from the general public, accepting the individual, political and financial obligations of a resident, regarding singular worth and human pride (regarding others and tune in to their feelings). Likewise taking part in common issues in a keen and successful way just as advancing the sound working of sacred majority rule government (Todaro etal 2009) Therefore, it very well may be noticed that urban demeanors as a segment or the propensities for the heart , the attributes of general society and private character that under-voracity vote based system are over the long haul, presumably of more outcome than the information or abilities a resident may order (Z.C.E.A, 2004). Taking everything into account, common society can be improved by urban instruction through its segments (municipal information, metro aptitudes and city attitudes). Urban training is in this way essential to the lives of residents in a common society and it must be perceptible.

KingKing and Entrepreneurship in China Assignment

KingKing and Entrepreneurship in China - Assignment Example The main significant retailer the firm has focused on is Wal-Mart. KingKing could build its incomes on the off chance that it grows its arrangement of significant customers to incorporate organizations, for example, Target, Sears, and K-Mart. The third system the organization can use to extend its US deals is to sell straightforwardly to the clients using a web store. In 2010 the size of the US internet business commercial center was $153 billion (Plunkett Research). 2. The obtaining of a US maker is a market section technique that could help KingKing enter the US commercial center. So as to limit cost the firm should target little to medium size light producer. In the United States there are more than 1,600 light makers (Manta). Three potential procurement targets are A&A Custom Illumntns Inc., Abby Candles Inc., and A&B Reminiscents. 3. Another path for the organization to enter the US commercial center is by opening up its own stores in the United States. This arrangement is just practical if the organization has adequate assortment of items to legitimize opening up a store. The contextual analysis doesn't give adequate data to decide whether the firm has adequate assortment of items. There are not many stores in the US devoted distinctly to selling candles. The arrangement of opening up a store probably won't be reasonable.

Critical Thinking in Academia

Critical Thinking in Academia Practicing Critical Thinking as a Student Practicing Critical Thinking as a Student Have you ever heard the phrase critical thinking? What does it mean to you? For some people, the word critical might evoke feelings of negativity. It might suggest that you have to pick things apart and be judgmental. In a way it does, however thinking about things critically means a lot more than being a grouch. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘critical thinking’? Critical thinking is an active process of learning and engaging with the surrounding environment. Having essential skills of thinking allows us to make decisions about life and provides the opportunity for us to participate in the world around us fully. According to John Dewey, an American philosopher, critical thinking involves a process of reflective thought. Dewey believed that to learn and become an active member of society, students must be actively engaged in the process of learning as opposed to being passive receivers of information. Deweys philosophy involved the perspective that committed, critical education was a consistent process throughout life, and that knowledge is a fundamental component of social progress and reform. In other words, he felt that critical thinking was a key component of learning. Critical thinking is a skill we engage in every day. Whenever we make any decision, we are using critical thinking. So, it makes sense that we can apply this to our academic work as well. However, in university and college, critical thinking has a broader meaning Being critical means making informed or educated judgments about social issues, literature, math, and so on. It can also mean distinguishing between fact and opinion. It involves determining the validity of theories and considering how to apply these theories to practice. When we make academic judgments, they must be well grounded in appropriate research. Critical thinking skills allow us to consider an issue from all sides. Through the process of critical thinking, we create a synthesis of all available information, and then we apply it to the decision making process. Critical thinking is a necessary component of academia because it allows for the development of new information and knowledge. In academia, we are essentially learning to question all information while looking for ways to continue to challenge the data to create further research. As a critically thinking student, it is crucial to incorporate the process into your reading, note-taking, essay writing, and presentations. These skills are also essential for anyone in a professional degree and can contribute to developing your practice. Critical thinking doesn’t only apply to academia; it can also help us to navigate our daily lives as well. When we enhance our critical thinking skills, we can improve our decision-making processes and make stronger decisions based on accounting for all information. Remember, most of our everyday thinking is uncritical. We generally go through our days without thinking through every step. However, there is a time and a place where critical thinking should be employed. But, how do we learn to enhance our natural critical thinking skills? Ask Basic Questions As we know, our social world, as well as the content we take in as students, often appears complicated. However, we can begin by merely asking simple questions. When an answer to a question becomes difficult, it starts to lose meaning. Here are some basic questions that you can apply in your academic writing that will help keep things simple: ? What do you already know? ? How do you know that? ? What are you trying to prove, disprove, demonstrate, critique? ? What are you overlooking? When beginning a paper or another assignment and the information seems complex, start with these simple questions and create an outline. Working from a critical perspective does not have to be difficult, and sometimes the best solutions come from the most natural process. Question Basic Assumptions When you are writing a paper or thinking through a problem, you do not want to base your analysis only on what you know. We all have basic assumptions which inform our everyday lives. Academic quality work must extend beyond basic assumptions towards analysis and synthesis of information. Check your assumptions at the door and do some research with an open mind. We all have ways of making life simpler. These are called heuristics or otherwise, mental shortcuts. While these techniques were helpful when we were hunter-gatherers, we now live in a society that calls for critical thinking. When you are writing a paper or working on an exam, make sure to have a one up on your mental biases, so they will not lead you astray. Reading more, becoming educated, and becoming more informed about how others think can allow us to understand our cognitive biases more readily. Remember to Think for Yourself Although you will be drawing on academic literature and information when you do your research and write papers, it is also important to remember to think for yourself. While this does not mean incorporating your biases into your writing, it means that you must analyze a situation using a critical lens. Go back and ask those basic questions. What is missing? Is there a gap? What is this research saying? Does it make sense concerning other research on the topic? Think through the literature using your power of deduction. You will write a stronger paper, and your professor will be able to see that you can do more than regurgitate the literature. John Dewey truly believed in the values of students learning to think for themselves. He warned against the tendency towards training people to fit into boxes in society, fearing that it would omit the potential for social growth and democratic development. A great quote from Dewey captures his sense of the value of critical thinking: Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. As an active contemporary leader in the realm of critical thinking, TED-Ed has developed a five-step process to help improve critical thinking skills. The following is a summation of the process, however, for more on the topic, TED-ed has developed an accessible video. TED-Eds 5-Step Process for Critical Thinking: 1. Formulate your question. In an academic setting, this looks like creating a thesis statement or hypothesis. 2. Gather your information. Do your research/review the literature. 3. Apply the information. Ask yourself what concepts are included? What assumptions are made? Consider if your interpretation is logically sound 4. Reflect on the implications of this information. 5. Explore other points of view. Critical Thinking is a Part of Our Everyday We participate in critical thinking every day. When we look out the door in the morning and see dark clouds, we might assume that it is going to rain later, so we choose to put on a raincoat. That is critical thinking. We can apply these same skills in academia by using the knowledge we already have to make sound arguments about data. As Dewey suggests, we are always engaged in the process of learning and critical thinking, whether it is inside the classroom or in our daily lives. If youre interested in the topic of critical thinking and you want to continue the conversation, check out our YouTube video: The Importance of Critical Thinking in Academia. If youre in an advanced degree that calls for a higher level of critical thinking, consider drawing on the expertise of some of our Top Writers for some additional support. Critical Thinking in Academia Practicing Critical Thinking as a Student Practicing Critical Thinking as a Student Have you ever heard the phrase critical thinking? What does it mean to you? For some people, the word critical might evoke feelings of negativity. It might suggest that you have to pick things apart and be judgmental. In a way it does, however thinking about things critically means a lot more than being a grouch. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘critical thinking’? Critical thinking is an active process of learning and engaging with the surrounding environment. Having essential skills of thinking allows us to make decisions about life and provides the opportunity for us to participate in the world around us fully. According to John Dewey, an American philosopher, critical thinking involves a process of reflective thought. Dewey believed that to learn and become an active member of society, students must be actively engaged in the process of learning as opposed to being passive receivers of information. Deweys philosophy involved the perspective that committed, critical education was a consistent process throughout life, and that knowledge is a fundamental component of social progress and reform. In other words, he felt that critical thinking was a key component of learning. Critical thinking is a skill we engage in every day. Whenever we make any decision, we are using critical thinking. So, it makes sense that we can apply this to our academic work as well. However, in university and college, critical thinking has a broader meaning Being critical means making informed or educated judgments about social issues, literature, math, and so on. It can also mean distinguishing between fact and opinion. It involves determining the validity of theories and considering how to apply these theories to practice. When we make academic judgments, they must be well grounded in appropriate research. Critical thinking skills allow us to consider an issue from all sides. Through the process of critical thinking, we create a synthesis of all available information, and then we apply it to the decision making process. Critical thinking is a necessary component of academia because it allows for the development of new information and knowledge. In academia, we are essentially learning to question all information while looking for ways to continue to challenge the data to create further research. As a critically thinking student, it is crucial to incorporate the process into your reading, note-taking, essay writing, and presentations. These skills are also essential for anyone in a professional degree and can contribute to developing your practice. Critical thinking doesn’t only apply to academia; it can also help us to navigate our daily lives as well. When we enhance our critical thinking skills, we can improve our decision-making processes and make stronger decisions based on accounting for all information. Remember, most of our everyday thinking is uncritical. We generally go through our days without thinking through every step. However, there is a time and a place where critical thinking should be employed. But, how do we learn to enhance our natural critical thinking skills? Ask Basic Questions As we know, our social world, as well as the content we take in as students, often appears complicated. However, we can begin by merely asking simple questions. When an answer to a question becomes difficult, it starts to lose meaning. Here are some basic questions that you can apply in your academic writing that will help keep things simple: ? What do you already know? ? How do you know that? ? What are you trying to prove, disprove, demonstrate, critique? ? What are you overlooking? When beginning a paper or another assignment and the information seems complex, start with these simple questions and create an outline. Working from a critical perspective does not have to be difficult, and sometimes the best solutions come from the most natural process. Question Basic Assumptions When you are writing a paper or thinking through a problem, you do not want to base your analysis only on what you know. We all have basic assumptions which inform our everyday lives. Academic quality work must extend beyond basic assumptions towards analysis and synthesis of information. Check your assumptions at the door and do some research with an open mind. We all have ways of making life simpler. These are called heuristics or otherwise, mental shortcuts. While these techniques were helpful when we were hunter-gatherers, we now live in a society that calls for critical thinking. When you are writing a paper or working on an exam, make sure to have a one up on your mental biases, so they will not lead you astray. Reading more, becoming educated, and becoming more informed about how others think can allow us to understand our cognitive biases more readily. Remember to Think for Yourself Although you will be drawing on academic literature and information when you do your research and write papers, it is also important to remember to think for yourself. While this does not mean incorporating your biases into your writing, it means that you must analyze a situation using a critical lens. Go back and ask those basic questions. What is missing? Is there a gap? What is this research saying? Does it make sense concerning other research on the topic? Think through the literature using your power of deduction. You will write a stronger paper, and your professor will be able to see that you can do more than regurgitate the literature. John Dewey truly believed in the values of students learning to think for themselves. He warned against the tendency towards training people to fit into boxes in society, fearing that it would omit the potential for social growth and democratic development. A great quote from Dewey captures his sense of the value of critical thinking: Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. As an active contemporary leader in the realm of critical thinking, TED-Ed has developed a five-step process to help improve critical thinking skills. The following is a summation of the process, however, for more on the topic, TED-ed has developed an accessible video. TED-Eds 5-Step Process for Critical Thinking: 1. Formulate your question. In an academic setting, this looks like creating a thesis statement or hypothesis. 2. Gather your information. Do your research/review the literature. 3. Apply the information. Ask yourself what concepts are included? What assumptions are made? Consider if your interpretation is logically sound 4. Reflect on the implications of this information. 5. Explore other points of view. Critical Thinking is a Part of Our Everyday We participate in critical thinking every day. When we look out the door in the morning and see dark clouds, we might assume that it is going to rain later, so we choose to put on a raincoat. That is critical thinking. We can apply these same skills in academia by using the knowledge we already have to make sound arguments about data. As Dewey suggests, we are always engaged in the process of learning and critical thinking, whether it is inside the classroom or in our daily lives. If youre interested in the topic of critical thinking and you want to continue the conversation, check out our YouTube video: The Importance of Critical Thinking in Academia. If youre in an advanced degree that calls for a higher level of critical thinking, consider drawing on the expertise of some of our Top Writers for some additional support.

Critical Thinking in Academia

Critical Thinking in Academia Practicing Critical Thinking as a Student Practicing Critical Thinking as a Student Have you ever heard the phrase critical thinking? What does it mean to you? For some people, the word critical might evoke feelings of negativity. It might suggest that you have to pick things apart and be judgmental. In a way it does, however thinking about things critically means a lot more than being a grouch. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘critical thinking’? Critical thinking is an active process of learning and engaging with the surrounding environment. Having essential skills of thinking allows us to make decisions about life and provides the opportunity for us to participate in the world around us fully. According to John Dewey, an American philosopher, critical thinking involves a process of reflective thought. Dewey believed that to learn and become an active member of society, students must be actively engaged in the process of learning as opposed to being passive receivers of information. Deweys philosophy involved the perspective that committed, critical education was a consistent process throughout life, and that knowledge is a fundamental component of social progress and reform. In other words, he felt that critical thinking was a key component of learning. Critical thinking is a skill we engage in every day. Whenever we make any decision, we are using critical thinking. So, it makes sense that we can apply this to our academic work as well. However, in university and college, critical thinking has a broader meaning Being critical means making informed or educated judgments about social issues, literature, math, and so on. It can also mean distinguishing between fact and opinion. It involves determining the validity of theories and considering how to apply these theories to practice. When we make academic judgments, they must be well grounded in appropriate research. Critical thinking skills allow us to consider an issue from all sides. Through the process of critical thinking, we create a synthesis of all available information, and then we apply it to the decision making process. Critical thinking is a necessary component of academia because it allows for the development of new information and knowledge. In academia, we are essentially learning to question all information while looking for ways to continue to challenge the data to create further research. As a critically thinking student, it is crucial to incorporate the process into your reading, note-taking, essay writing, and presentations. These skills are also essential for anyone in a professional degree and can contribute to developing your practice. Critical thinking doesn’t only apply to academia; it can also help us to navigate our daily lives as well. When we enhance our critical thinking skills, we can improve our decision-making processes and make stronger decisions based on accounting for all information. Remember, most of our everyday thinking is uncritical. We generally go through our days without thinking through every step. However, there is a time and a place where critical thinking should be employed. But, how do we learn to enhance our natural critical thinking skills? Ask Basic Questions As we know, our social world, as well as the content we take in as students, often appears complicated. However, we can begin by merely asking simple questions. When an answer to a question becomes difficult, it starts to lose meaning. Here are some basic questions that you can apply in your academic writing that will help keep things simple: ? What do you already know? ? How do you know that? ? What are you trying to prove, disprove, demonstrate, critique? ? What are you overlooking? When beginning a paper or another assignment and the information seems complex, start with these simple questions and create an outline. Working from a critical perspective does not have to be difficult, and sometimes the best solutions come from the most natural process. Question Basic Assumptions When you are writing a paper or thinking through a problem, you do not want to base your analysis only on what you know. We all have basic assumptions which inform our everyday lives. Academic quality work must extend beyond basic assumptions towards analysis and synthesis of information. Check your assumptions at the door and do some research with an open mind. We all have ways of making life simpler. These are called heuristics or otherwise, mental shortcuts. While these techniques were helpful when we were hunter-gatherers, we now live in a society that calls for critical thinking. When you are writing a paper or working on an exam, make sure to have a one up on your mental biases, so they will not lead you astray. Reading more, becoming educated, and becoming more informed about how others think can allow us to understand our cognitive biases more readily. Remember to Think for Yourself Although you will be drawing on academic literature and information when you do your research and write papers, it is also important to remember to think for yourself. While this does not mean incorporating your biases into your writing, it means that you must analyze a situation using a critical lens. Go back and ask those basic questions. What is missing? Is there a gap? What is this research saying? Does it make sense concerning other research on the topic? Think through the literature using your power of deduction. You will write a stronger paper, and your professor will be able to see that you can do more than regurgitate the literature. John Dewey truly believed in the values of students learning to think for themselves. He warned against the tendency towards training people to fit into boxes in society, fearing that it would omit the potential for social growth and democratic development. A great quote from Dewey captures his sense of the value of critical thinking: Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. As an active contemporary leader in the realm of critical thinking, TED-Ed has developed a five-step process to help improve critical thinking skills. The following is a summation of the process, however, for more on the topic, TED-ed has developed an accessible video. TED-Eds 5-Step Process for Critical Thinking: 1. Formulate your question. In an academic setting, this looks like creating a thesis statement or hypothesis. 2. Gather your information. Do your research/review the literature. 3. Apply the information. Ask yourself what concepts are included? What assumptions are made? Consider if your interpretation is logically sound 4. Reflect on the implications of this information. 5. Explore other points of view. Critical Thinking is a Part of Our Everyday We participate in critical thinking every day. When we look out the door in the morning and see dark clouds, we might assume that it is going to rain later, so we choose to put on a raincoat. That is critical thinking. We can apply these same skills in academia by using the knowledge we already have to make sound arguments about data. As Dewey suggests, we are always engaged in the process of learning and critical thinking, whether it is inside the classroom or in our daily lives. If youre interested in the topic of critical thinking and you want to continue the conversation, check out our YouTube video: The Importance of Critical Thinking in Academia. If youre in an advanced degree that calls for a higher level of critical thinking, consider drawing on the expertise of some of our Top Writers for some additional support. Critical Thinking in Academia Practicing Critical Thinking as a Student Practicing Critical Thinking as a Student Have you ever heard the phrase critical thinking? What does it mean to you? For some people, the word critical might evoke feelings of negativity. It might suggest that you have to pick things apart and be judgmental. In a way it does, however thinking about things critically means a lot more than being a grouch. Have you ever heard the phrase ‘critical thinking’? Critical thinking is an active process of learning and engaging with the surrounding environment. Having essential skills of thinking allows us to make decisions about life and provides the opportunity for us to participate in the world around us fully. According to John Dewey, an American philosopher, critical thinking involves a process of reflective thought. Dewey believed that to learn and become an active member of society, students must be actively engaged in the process of learning as opposed to being passive receivers of information. Deweys philosophy involved the perspective that committed, critical education was a consistent process throughout life, and that knowledge is a fundamental component of social progress and reform. In other words, he felt that critical thinking was a key component of learning. Critical thinking is a skill we engage in every day. Whenever we make any decision, we are using critical thinking. So, it makes sense that we can apply this to our academic work as well. However, in university and college, critical thinking has a broader meaning Being critical means making informed or educated judgments about social issues, literature, math, and so on. It can also mean distinguishing between fact and opinion. It involves determining the validity of theories and considering how to apply these theories to practice. When we make academic judgments, they must be well grounded in appropriate research. Critical thinking skills allow us to consider an issue from all sides. Through the process of critical thinking, we create a synthesis of all available information, and then we apply it to the decision making process. Critical thinking is a necessary component of academia because it allows for the development of new information and knowledge. In academia, we are essentially learning to question all information while looking for ways to continue to challenge the data to create further research. As a critically thinking student, it is crucial to incorporate the process into your reading, note-taking, essay writing, and presentations. These skills are also essential for anyone in a professional degree and can contribute to developing your practice. Critical thinking doesn’t only apply to academia; it can also help us to navigate our daily lives as well. When we enhance our critical thinking skills, we can improve our decision-making processes and make stronger decisions based on accounting for all information. Remember, most of our everyday thinking is uncritical. We generally go through our days without thinking through every step. However, there is a time and a place where critical thinking should be employed. But, how do we learn to enhance our natural critical thinking skills? Ask Basic Questions As we know, our social world, as well as the content we take in as students, often appears complicated. However, we can begin by merely asking simple questions. When an answer to a question becomes difficult, it starts to lose meaning. Here are some basic questions that you can apply in your academic writing that will help keep things simple: ? What do you already know? ? How do you know that? ? What are you trying to prove, disprove, demonstrate, critique? ? What are you overlooking? When beginning a paper or another assignment and the information seems complex, start with these simple questions and create an outline. Working from a critical perspective does not have to be difficult, and sometimes the best solutions come from the most natural process. Question Basic Assumptions When you are writing a paper or thinking through a problem, you do not want to base your analysis only on what you know. We all have basic assumptions which inform our everyday lives. Academic quality work must extend beyond basic assumptions towards analysis and synthesis of information. Check your assumptions at the door and do some research with an open mind. We all have ways of making life simpler. These are called heuristics or otherwise, mental shortcuts. While these techniques were helpful when we were hunter-gatherers, we now live in a society that calls for critical thinking. When you are writing a paper or working on an exam, make sure to have a one up on your mental biases, so they will not lead you astray. Reading more, becoming educated, and becoming more informed about how others think can allow us to understand our cognitive biases more readily. Remember to Think for Yourself Although you will be drawing on academic literature and information when you do your research and write papers, it is also important to remember to think for yourself. While this does not mean incorporating your biases into your writing, it means that you must analyze a situation using a critical lens. Go back and ask those basic questions. What is missing? Is there a gap? What is this research saying? Does it make sense concerning other research on the topic? Think through the literature using your power of deduction. You will write a stronger paper, and your professor will be able to see that you can do more than regurgitate the literature. John Dewey truly believed in the values of students learning to think for themselves. He warned against the tendency towards training people to fit into boxes in society, fearing that it would omit the potential for social growth and democratic development. A great quote from Dewey captures his sense of the value of critical thinking: Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself. As an active contemporary leader in the realm of critical thinking, TED-Ed has developed a five-step process to help improve critical thinking skills. The following is a summation of the process, however, for more on the topic, TED-ed has developed an accessible video. TED-Eds 5-Step Process for Critical Thinking: 1. Formulate your question. In an academic setting, this looks like creating a thesis statement or hypothesis. 2. Gather your information. Do your research/review the literature. 3. Apply the information. Ask yourself what concepts are included? What assumptions are made? Consider if your interpretation is logically sound 4. Reflect on the implications of this information. 5. Explore other points of view. Critical Thinking is a Part of Our Everyday We participate in critical thinking every day. When we look out the door in the morning and see dark clouds, we might assume that it is going to rain later, so we choose to put on a raincoat. That is critical thinking. We can apply these same skills in academia by using the knowledge we already have to make sound arguments about data. As Dewey suggests, we are always engaged in the process of learning and critical thinking, whether it is inside the classroom or in our daily lives. If youre interested in the topic of critical thinking and you want to continue the conversation, check out our YouTube video: The Importance of Critical Thinking in Academia. If youre in an advanced degree that calls for a higher level of critical thinking, consider drawing on the expertise of some of our Top Writers for some additional support.