Do you know what critical thinking is?

Often we hear the buzz work 'critical thinking'  tossed around.  If students are asked to think critically, what does that really  mean?  Here is a handy chart that breaks down the critical thinking skills and illustrates how each category works.

Step 1: Knowledge

The key idea is to be able to identify and recall information.  Students will answer the basic questions of  who, what, where, when, etc.

Step 2: Comprehension

The students will organize their thoughts, select key ideas and factual information,  interpret and summarize the ideas from their reading and learning.

Step 3: Application

This step demonstrates a higher level of understanding.  Students will be able to apply the facts, rules and concepts they have identified to make connections to ideas, solve problems, and apply the information in a meaningful context.

Step 4: Analysis

Student will think more deeply about the information they have read.  Students may examine, make inferences, and analyze parts of a text or a whole topic.

Information and chart taken from Edudemic

http://www.edudemic.com/2013/06/the-4-step-guide-to-critical-thinking-skills/

Visual Chart from Enokson