Nancy Burkhalter

Video about Disinformation, Denialism, and the Assault on Truth

I belong to AILACT (Association for Informal Logic & Critical Thinking https://ailact.wordpress.com/). Every month, a speaker talks about an issue in critical thinking. The one posted below by Lee McIntyre, Research Fellow, Center for Philosophy and History of Science, Boston University, was particularly interesting. Here is his description of the topic: “Disinformation is the scourgeContinue reading “Video about Disinformation, Denialism, and the Assault on Truth”

How Can You Change Someone’s Mind

This short TED-Ed talk by Hugo Mercier (4:27 minutes), How Can You Change Someone’s Mind, talks about three elements that will help when you want to discuss delicate or controversial topics. The three elements are 1) shared beliefs, 2) trusted sources, and 3) values. His presentation is elegant but goes fast. But it is anContinue reading “How Can You Change Someone’s Mind”

Conference Opportunities

Dear critical thinker: I am posting to alert you to two upcoming (soon!) conferences that might interest you. The Critical Thinking Consortium (tc2.ca) will hold a zoom call on leadership on May 13. To register: go to http://Register and pay for the conference. It is a very active organization and has many resources (some areContinue reading “Conference Opportunities”

Using Rubrics to Assess Critical Thinking

Assessing critical thinking has been a bugbear for teachers for years. After all, critical thinking is not like a problem in math or historical fact with a discrete answer. It’s a global, all-encompassing thinking pattern. Enter the time-honored rubric—a way to measure progress toward that goal.

Critical Thinking Courses

The Foundation for Critical Thinking is offering six online courses : How to Infuse Critical Thinking Into Your Instruction 2. Tools for Taking Charge of Your Learning and Your Life 3. How to Bring Critical Thinking into Higher Education Instruction on a Daily Basis 4. How to Bring Critical Thinking into K-12 Teaching on aContinue reading “Critical Thinking Courses”

How Best to Teach Critical Thinking?

analyze the problem. generate solutions. develop the reasoning for each solution. decide which is the best solution. use criteria to evaluate one’s thinking.

Astroturfing, or How to Bamboozle Your Opponent

Astroturfing refers to promotional propaganda: things like using actors to promote a product or service, putting on a fake, angry demonstration (with paid actors); falsifying facts; using false media testimonials, etc. See John Oliver’s 8/12/18 program about how companies use astroturfing to trick you: http://(1080) Astroturfing: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO) – YouTube.Continue reading “Astroturfing, or How to Bamboozle Your Opponent”

What To Teach College Students about Writing Reports

This 2014 article by Biswas and Paczynska made my heart sing, because it spells out exactly how writing and critical thinking play a role in the workplace. I have been preaching this gospel in my own classroom for eons. The article uses examples from the State Department, but they are applicable in a variety ofContinue reading “What To Teach College Students about Writing Reports”

Comprehensive Article on Critical Thinking

For those of you who would like a comprehensive overview of the critical thinking, including issues involving higher education, I recommend Martin Davies’ (2015) article, “A Model of Critical Thinking in Higher Education.”

Math + Critical Thinking

I subscribe to The Critical Thinking Consortium, or TC2 (www.tc2.ca). It’s a group of educators who create material and conduct trainings for teachers. Super site too. It offers very accessible materials for all levels, often with a Canadian focus, since it’s headquartered in Vancouver, B.C. The site is informative and jam packed with ideas forContinue reading “Math + Critical Thinking”