Why Students Must Learn Critical Thinking Skills

Developing critical thinking skills allows us to approach situations and information with a certain mindset. It is the ability to think about different perspectives and how those perspectives change the outcome of the problem. This means that critical thinking is vital when studying and solving issues such as world peace, poverty, and global warming. These are all issues that come down to perspectives and how the mindset of the people involved changes how they go about solving these problems.

What are Critical Thinking and Reasoning?

Critical thinking means taking a problem or question, breaking it down into smaller parts, analyzing those parts, and coming up with an answer. Some people call this “thinking on paper” because they need to write their thoughts down to think critically about them and solve problems. In this article, we will use critical thinking and critical reasoning interchangeably.

Critical reasoning uses logic skills and sense to figure things out instead of relying on what someone else says is true (like parents or teachers). They consider different points of view before coming up with their own answers. And they admit when they don’t know something!

How can these skills help students in school?

In school, critical thinking is the name of the game in every subject, from math to science to history and beyond. Teachers want students who can think critically about different issues and problems. Critical thinking and logical reasoning skills help students do better in school because they learn how to approach all kinds of questions, including those that may not have one correct answer.

Without critical reasoning, students end up staying stuck on skills that they should master (like the old multiplication tables). They often need constant teacher feedback and guidance to figure out problems. They don’t know how to ask questions and solve problems on their own. And they can’t explain or understand why they got something wrong – or right – which keeps them from learning new material.

Critical Thinking and Logical Reasoning

Critical thinking and reasoning skills influence how students ask questions, solve problems, decide what to believe, explain ideas, think critically about what they see in the world around them, and express their thoughts. These skills are also all interconnected. For example, a child who can think critically about what she’s about a news story or opinion piece will make better decisions when engaging in the programming and reading she does at school and in her free time.

If these skills aren’t taught, students may feel lost when they get to college. Higher education is built upon critical thinking and reasoning skills because everything from class lectures to studying is about analyzing the material, asking new questions, being flexible with ideas, and figuring out what’s important.

Why is critical thinking/reasoning vital for one’s future?

With critical reasoning, students make connections between what they’re learning and their own lives. They can solve problems more efficiently because they use reason and analysis to figure out the best way to do something. And their problem-solving skills help them when they encounter challenges later in life.

Every day, people make decisions that affect their lives and the lives of those around them. These decisions range from what to wear in the morning, which class to take at school, or whether or not to have a second helping of dessert. As adults and as students, we must learn how to reason about these decisions. The more we decide for ourselves, the more control we have over our future.

Developing these vital skills is an essential part of life no matter where you go–whether college or the workplace–because they teach us how to make informed choices using logic and reasoning skills rather than relying on instinct alone.

Critical thinking and reasoning skills are deteriorating in today’s society

A recent study found that only one-third of American adults can name all three branches of the US government or find Ukraine on a map. Another survey found that college students had more difficulty answering questions about logic, math, and geography than they did 50 years ago. This is not because people are dumber–in fact, many are much brighter now due to better education and nutrition–but rather because critical thinking is no longer taught as it used to be.

As a result, critical thinking skills have deteriorated over time, with devastating consequences for our society at large. Critical thinking and reasoning are essential for making sound decisions in life, ranging from what car you buy to where you go to school or work and what activities you take part in.

People seem unable to ask good questions

People who can’t explain or understand why will stagnate in abilities that they should have mastered. They don’t know how to ask queries or resolve difficulties by themselves. And they are unable to convey or comprehend why they obtained anything incorrect – or correct – which prevents them from finding out new material or learning new skills.

Instant answers, instant opinions, is that where we’re going?

Our “instant,” “Google-it” society has trained us we need an immediate answer, regardless of its potential being incorrect. This attitude has permeated into all facets of life, leading people to become less inquisitive about the topics they regularly encounter, everything from politics and the news to science and pop culture.

Let’s start to foster critical thinking skills

For example, some people believe that one can end global warming simply by driving more fuel-efficient cars or moving to a “green” when it takes quite a bit of effort to alter the factors that cause global warming.  Many of which are entirely out of Man’s control. Such ignorance leads to poor decision-making throughout life because of the lack of critical thinking skills.

What can schools do to help?

While schools are merely following societal norms, we must demand more from our schools, school boards, and school administrators as parents. Schools should not simply teach students to pass tests, but they should be teaching them how to think critically and analytically.

While our teachers understand this, unfortunately, most of our politicians and leaders focus on a score from a standardized test to favor public opinion, votes, and promotions.

Reasoning skills

The schools can quickly improve our children’s critical reasoning abilities by making critical thinking and reasoning skills a primary curriculum focus. Children learn best by doing, not just listing and taking a test. Current curriculums teach critical-reasoning skills, such as asking questions, formulating hypotheses, and designing experiments, but classes that teach these skills are few, and far more must be done. Critical analysis for kids should be a primary focus for our schools

Shouldn’t we ask our children questions and require them to answer?

For example, we should encourage kids to give their opinions on an issue and then explain why they hold their view and ask them to back it up with evidence. In this way, students will learn to think critically about any topic and form educated opinions based on facts and knowledge instead of what the person speaking last said.

Shouldn’t we question our media even more today?

Similarly, teachers should help students understand that just because a website or someone on the news said something doesn’t make it accurate. While this is an obvious concept to many adults, many middle schoolers and high schoolers have never thought about what they read on the internet.

Other sources of ideas

An excellent resource is Critical Thinking: How To Prepare Students for a Rapidly Changing World, by Dr. Richard Paul. There are many ways that schools can do to teach critical thinking skills to their students.

Benefits

• Develop critical thinking skills.
• Teaches students to read with a purpose
• Improve comprehension and vocabulary
• They’ll have a better understanding of how words work together
• Decision making
• Spot hidden assumptions
• Cause and Effects 
• Creative problem solving