This post suggests three innovative strategies to teach critical thinking in the classroom. The ability to think critically about problems and situations is a bonus in the workplace and in life. In fact, it's a necessity.
3 Instructional Methods
Case Studies
This method sparks conversation and strengthens analytical skills. What is more, you have options. One is to design your own case studies. Or, borrow from others.
Leadership in Turbulent Times, for example, focuses on the leadership and crisis management strategies of four presidents (Abraham Lincoln, Theodore Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Lyndon Johnson. Why am I mentioning this good read? The book contains four excellent case studies for your students to dissect. At the same time, they learn about four leadership styles. I think they will enjoy learning about each president’s background and how they ended up in the White House.
Another recommendation is to skim the newspaper and website to find interesting tidbits on corporations, people, and world issues. In any event, you’re provoking critical thinking. Either discuss the case study as a class or break the class into small groups.
Film
The use of film is both entertainment and education. Select a movie that deals with crisis management, leadership, values, responsibility, etc. Decide how you want to use the feature – show the entire movie or clips.
Regarding legal and moral issues, I recommend The Post and Chappaquiddick. While the former deals with the New York Times and Washington Post publishing articles about the Vietnam War based on a stolen document from the Pentagon, the latter deals with Senator Ted Kennedy leaving the scene of an accident; the passenger in his car drowned. Select a movie that deals with crisis management, leadership, values, responsibility, etc. Decide how you want to use the feature – show the entire movie or clips.
Art
Unlike the previous suggestions, this one calls for creativity. By the way, creativity is valued in the workplace. Organizations face challenges that require workers to employ out of the box thinking to solve them.
How do you develop an art lesson that teaches critical thinking? In short keep it simple. For example, get some toothpicks, popsicle sticks, straw, or Lego blocks. Instruct the students to build a bridge. Sounds easy enough but there’s a catch. To accomplish the project, no verbal communication is allowed. However, you prepare the written instructions and supply the materials. An alternative is breaking the class into small groups. Also give the students a specific amount of time. Lastly, have the students discuss what happened, how they felt, what made the challenge difficult, etc.
Write to Stephanie Harbin at sdharbin@yahoo.com.
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