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Being
Critical
Meldijana Prutina, Jodie Jeworski, Karin Buchanan
Life includes a series of decisions. These decisions are based on various assumptions; some correct and others accepted from the dominant culture and never examined for ourselves. Sometimes we hold certain assumptions because we are told by authority - our parents, or religious leaders - that they are right.
We sometimes become aware of our assumptions incidentally, by reading a book or watching a movie.
Once we recognize our assumptions we are ready to enter the second phase of critical thinking – the research.
The third stage means putting the first two stages into practice by applying our own critical analysis to our decisions. Crtical thinking and analysis is a central goal of adult education. (Brookfield, S)
Three aspects of Critical Thinking in adult education:
• Critical Theory - provides a basis for critical thinking.
• Critical Thinking - a self-reflection process of assessing, or questioning what we believe or do.
• Critical Action - taking informed decision after assessing assumptions.
Critical theorists talk about “hegemony” or the process which demonstrates how dominant groups create “truths” that become accepted as the norm while actually keeping us powerless.
Dominant ideologies and practices usually work on maintaining unequal economy, racism, homophobic and sexist society with little or no resistance.
To be a critical person, action must be taken toward creating better, democratic, economic and social forms. (Brookfield)
Critical theory helps us:
(Merriam,S.B. and Bierema, L.L)
Postmodernists believe that knowledge can emerge from a particular context or event, and it can shift as the context, learner or events change. It acknowledges that the experiences of each person will be different. They will question anything presented as knowledge.
Critical action emerges in three ways:
How can we take action on our critical thinking?
Critical thinking is not a neutral process because it asks you to question values and who benefits from your actions.
Best methods to promote critical thinking:
Our Task as Educators...
To help learners relate to critical theory and connect their own experience to that of others and the broader society. Three ways to facilitate learner's understanding of critical theory:
Facilitating Critical Thinking
When learners understand the basics of critical thinking, we can turn our focus to individual and collective critical thought processes by:
Facilitating Critical Thinking
When learne...
How do we create experiences that help learners connect critical theory and critical reflection to critical action? By creating experiental learning both inside and outside the classroom.
We create learning experiences for students outside the classroom by assigning learning projects that give them real-life opportunities to examine critical issues.
Merriam, S. B. & Bierema, L.L. Adult Learning: Linking Theory and Practice. (2014) San Francisco Jossey-Bass. (P. 212-237)
Brookfield, S. Discussion as a Way of Teaching. Retrieved from
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5738a0ccd51cd47f81977fe8/t/5750ef4862cd947608165d85/1464921939855/Discussion_as_a_Way_of_Teaching_Packet.pdf
Brookfield, S. (2016) So Exactly What is Critical About Critical Reflection NY: Routledge Retrieved from
https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5738a0ccd51cd47f81977fe8/t/59555771725e2501e8eb699c/1498765174501/Brookfield-2016-So+Exactly+What+is+Critical+About+Critical+Reflection%3F.pdf
The ABC's of Adventure Based Learning. Retrieved from http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/08924562.2015.1111787?src=recsys&
BCRPA Facilitator Training Manual. Retrieved from http://www.bcrpa.bc.ca/fitness_program/documents/TFLFacilitatorManual-2014.pdf
Critical Thinking Community. Retrieved from http://www.criticalthinking.org
Critical.Thinking.Net. Retrieved from http://www.criticalthinking.net/