CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING
A Cognitive Process for Problem Solving
AGENDA Definitions Creative thinking Critical thinking
Cognitive Dissonance Meta-Cognition
Seeing the Problem Solving the Problem The role of memory Transfer and learning
CREATIVE/CRITICAL THINKING Creative thinking is defined as the use of divergent thinking, resulting in the generation of original ideas or solutions. Critical Thinking may be defined as the cognitive process of actively questioning assumptions, and analyzing, synthesizing and/or evaluating data, evidence or points of view to solve a problem.
CRITICAL THINKING Critical thinking is the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication, as a guide to belief and action. In its exemplary form, it is based on universal intellectual values that transcend subject matter divisions: clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness.
http://www.criticalthinking.org/aboutCT/definingCT.shtml
COGNITIVE DISSONANCE When things just don’t seem to jibe with what one “knows” Possible responses
META-COGNITION Thinking about thinking
TWO SIDES/SAME COIN Julian Jaynes the lack of what we consider to be modern self-awareness in the life and literature of ancient cultures—that cognitive processes were divided between two parts of the human brain, that which carried the commands of the culture and that which listened to them The ancient view of creativity Plato art was a copy, and a poor one, at that, of reality. The Idea was the ultimate reality of any “thing.” Aristotle the Form of the thing is inherent in the material from which it is formed.
SEEING THE PROBLEM The simple - What should I have for dinner? The solution depends on how hungry one is, if one is on a diet and, if so, what kind of diet, one’s financial status, and so on. The complex
- Complex problems require a series of steps that will break it down into its various components “Outside
the box?”
SOLVING THE PROBLEM
Define the problem
Dissect the problem
Plan a solution
External representation
Internal representations: using “what’s inside your head” as a mental model
Evaluating your solution
TRANSFER AND LEARNING Previous learning enhances later learning
The more one learns and the more one practices, the more information that is transferred to a new situation “Overlearning� enhances transfer When tasks are similar transfer is increased
SYNTHESIS Theorists Piaget Bloom Gardner
Putting seemingly dissimilar things together
DISCERNING CREDIBILITY Information Literacy Need for info Ability to access info Evaluate info Synthesize info Communicate info