College Freshmen Ought to Know…

 That sometimes you can help yourself to get into a more productive or creative mood by changing your environment for studying by simply dressing differently for the study session. Go to a different place on campus to do this particular chore or wear the best clothes you have to sit and write a particularly formal assignment.

100 Things Every College Freshman Ought to Know By: William Disbro

Chapter 7 - Thinking

The business of persuasion embraces all of us A typical American sees 30,000 television commercials each year (Radio, magazines, books, brochures) It’s easy to lose our heads unless we develop skills in critical thinking. When we think critically, we make choices with open eyes

Uses of critical thinking (CT)

    – – – – – – – – Basic elements of communication: reading, writing, speaking, and listening Critical thinking also plays an important part in social change CT helps us uncover bias and prejudice History offers a continuing story of half-truths/ faulty assumptions Bloodsucking leeches to cure disease Illness results from an imbalance Racial integration of the armed forces will lead to the destruction of soldiers’ morale Caucasians are inherently more intelligent Mixing races will lead to genetically inferior offspring Women are incapable of voting intelligently We will never invent anything smaller than a transistor Computers will usher in the age of the paperless office

Critical thinking as thorough thinking

     Critical thinking is sorting out conflicting claims, weighing evidence, and arriving at reasonable views Quick answers are often at odds with effective thinking It takes time and willingness to say "I don't know" Critical thinking and learning are linked together NO ONE is born a thorough thinker - It is a Learned Skill!!!

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Creativity fuels critical thinking

We can use critical thinking to create new knowledge Creativity can open the door to new points of view "Aha!" is the burst of creative energy that comes with a new idea The "Aha!" does not have to result in a "Nobel Prize" School is a natural breeding ground for "Aha!'s" The creative process is both fun AND WORK Employers actively seek people who can think intuitively

Techniques for creative thinking

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With practice you can set the stage for creative leaps Conduct a brainstorm Focus and let go Cultivate creative serendipity Keep idea files Collect and play with data Refine Ideas and follow-through Create Success strategies Trust the process

Brainstorming

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Brainstorming is a technique for finding solutions, creating plans, and discovering new ideas The purpose of brainstorming is to generate many

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"possible" solutions First, formulate the problem by writing it down Next, set a time limit for brainstorming Next, sit quietly for a few seconds to collect your thoughts

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Finally, start timing and write EVERYTHING down! Afterwards, review and eliminate the truly absurd ideas Let go of the "need" for a particular solution You can brainstorm with others You can brainstorm about a "brainstormed" idea

Focus & Serendipity

  – Focus and let go Intense focus taps the resources of your conscious mind – Notice when you pay attention and when your mind wanders – When you realize your concentration has lagged, let go (Don't force yourself to be creative) – Cultivate creative serendipity Serendipity is the ability to see something valuable that you weren't looking for (a lucky discovery) – You can train yourself in the art of serendipity - Keep your eyes open! – Expect discoveries

Keep idea files

      People labeled "creative" treat their ideas with care, recognize, record, and follow-up on their ideas Include powerful quotes, insights, notes, and useful ideas Keep a journal Reading fuels creativity Safeguard your ideas even if you're pressed for time (write it down!) Review your files regularly

Collect and play with data

    Look at information from all "sides" (aspects) -- Examine each fact Pick a solution first and work backward to test it It has been said that there are no new ideas -- Just new ways to combine old ideas Create while you sleep - A solution may appear in a dream or just before sleeping or waking!

Refine Ideas and follow-through

   – – Genius: Genius resides in the follow-through Keep a file for your own inspirations – Create Success strategies Create your own ways to succeed in school. – Look at others, books, materials. – – – Trust the process Learn to trust your creative process Don't avoid frustration by giving up Trust that a solution will show up

Qualities of a critical thinker:

       Truth-seeking - Critical thinkers want to know truth Open-minded - Critical thinkers value the fact that people disagree Analytical - Critical thinkers recognize statements that call for evidence Systematic - Critical thinkers stay organized and focused Self-confident - Critical thinkers trust their intellectual skills and are wiling to seek truth with an open mind Inquisitive - A critical thinker wants to know/learn Mature - Critical thinkers posses wisdom from experience

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Suggestions for critical thinking:

Be willing to say "I don't know" Define your terms [be clear about what you are talking about] Practice tolerance Understand before criticizing Watch for hot spots Consider the source Seek out alternative views Ask questions Look for at least three answers Be willing to change your mind Lay your cards on the table Examine the problem from different points of view Write about it Construct a reasonable view

Assignment

 Complete Exercise #25 (Page 208)