We are in mid-January and I have delivered my first set of workshops for the year! It was great to start 2024 by connecting with educators teaching on T-Levels.
Reflecting on the conversations I had with these educators, I thought about how we can nurture a culture for critical thinking skills to grow and develop.
Cultivating an environment for critical thinking in HE and FE involves creating a classroom atmosphere that encourages thought inquiry, analysis, and confidence in independent thought.
Teachers are Human too (I promise)!
Have you noticed that certain students may envision placing you on a pedestal, making it challenging for them to conceive of you having a life distinct from your role as an educator?
Frequently, I observed that reserved students faced difficulty in expressing themselves, assuming I possessed exhaustive knowledge on every topic. Although they didn’t explicitly convey this, I realised that sharing personal information helped create a more comfortable and open atmosphere in my classroom, encouraging these students to engage more freely.
The crucial factor here was the atmosphere. The students required an environment that fostered comfort and safety, enabling them to freely articulate their thoughts and opinions. The second, equally essential layer involves incorporating diverse experiences. For instance, exclusively offering examples that resonate with a white, middle-class student would exclude the other half of the class. How can we anticipate active participation if we do not embrace diversity in contributions? In the present global context, students may bring thoughts and feelings into your classroom that you cannot control or with which you may not agree. However, the crucial aspect lies in how you handle their perspectives and emotions and the ensuing impact on the group.
Approaching Critical Thinking with Compassion
Students can bring forth experiences or have them surfaced in our classes. While we may not always have the ability to resolve any trauma they may be undergoing, we can opt to approach their experiences with compassion as we navigate the present moment. It could be as straightforward as gently introducing a sensitive topic, providing a timetable of sessions for next week and reaffirming that they can discuss any worries with you after the session, or providing guidance towards services that can offer support.
The Beauty of Open-ended Projects
During my time in secondary school, I thoroughly enjoyed general studies, where we had the freedom to create our own projects and showcase them at the end of each term. Looking back, what truly resonated with me was the liberty to express creativity. There were no strict guidelines on how we presented our findings. One of my projects delved into the evolution of the NHS, and I even crafted a detailed 3D model of a hospital using papier-mâché and other materials. With my father working in the NHS, I could draw upon numerous personal experiences, allowing me to explore the topic from various perspectives. It was this immersive and self-directed learning experience that significantly contributed to the development of my critical thinking skills. The sense of space and autonomy played a pivotal role in this process.
Modelling Critical Thinking Daily
In my educator workshops, I frequently emphasise the idea that educators (like you) are likely already fostering critical thinking, even if they may not be aware of it. Demonstrating speaks volumes to students, but expressing these concepts verbally amplifies their impact. Providing examples, posing questions, and equipping students with the tools to confidently transition their critical thinking skills are key strategies. If you’re wondering how to implement these approaches, start small. Develop or modify existing activities that encourage the cultivation of critical thinking skills. Connecting these activities to current events can be beneficial, broadening their impact on society.
Embracing Questions
I don’t mean this in the traditional sense of Q&A or structured lesson planning. While those methods have their merits, I’m referring to questions that cultivate conversation—engaging discussions that extend beyond the immediate topic. These conversations delve into your students’ interests, their lives, and contemporary issues, encouraging them to share their thoughts on real-life events. By incorporating this approach, students can develop a sense of belonging in the classroom, ultimately creating an environment conducive to fostering critical thinking.
As educators, our role extends beyond merely imparting knowledge and adhering to a curriculum; we are also tasked with nurturing the growth of critical thinking skills within student groups to prepare them for the challenges of the professional world.
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