Critical thinking occurs when a person utilizes his/her mind to brainstorm new ideas, create new technologies, engage in intellectual conversation, and expand his/her knowledge base. Tice (1997) said, “Critical thinking often refers to thinking that typically originates in the left hemisphere of the brain” (p. 1).
In comparison to learning, just because a person can think critically does not necessarily mean he/she has learned. For example, a person can create an innovative product by brainstorming for new ideas and then implementing those ideas. Yet, the person only uses his/her mind to accomplish this goal.However, if the person researches information and comes up with fresh ideas on how to make this product more effective, then he/she has learned.
Tice (1997) mentioned, “A logical thinker can recognize and analyze the relationships between premises and conclusions.’‘A critical thinker is able to extract and examine the assumptions that underlie the premises’” (p. 4). Learning is therefore, knowing the difference between critical thinking and logical thinking.COGNIZANT EDUCATION Those who think well are those who learn the most.
For example, there are some who believe that certain traits are learned from parents and/or passed on through their genes.Yet, a child has the potential to break free of this generalization by deciding to be smarter and do more than his/her parents. Peterson (2004) stated, “Cognizant education links thinking to schooling—schooling to thinking.’ ‘Cogency, relevance, choice are it’” (p. 1, Abstract).
A child is not necessarily born a genius. However, while he/she is still a child, he/she can tap into critical thinking/advanced learning and broaden his/her capacity to store knowledge. Many children learn new things by watching others do it.As a result, if a child was placed in front of a television watching the game show, Jeopardy, he/she would learn a lot. In a way, Cognizant education exists: learn the answers to the questions asked and be the quickest (utilization of motor skills) to buzz in.
IMPORTANCE OF LEARNINGLearning is important because without comprehension, there would be no improvements in the world. Some of the greatest minds were trained on how to be great leaders. For example, some United States presidents attended such prominent schools as Harvard and Princeton.During the time spent attending to curriculum, they were educated on how to (as an old/new saying goes) “think outside the box”. To me, this means engaging my mentality in decisive philosophy by looking beyond the fact that the box is empty.
I must stimulate my mind to come to a realization of what needs to be put in the box.Thus, if my intellect were an empty box, I need to determine what to put in it. Some exercises that help expand the mind are puzzles, quizzes, and brain teasers. Another essential thing about knowledge is that those who push their minds to the limits and beyond; often can earn a substantive living off what they know. For example, a person has a piece of paper with a dot on it.
Everyday someone looks at the dot on the piece of paper. The owner of the dot realizes there are a lot of people interested in the dot. An owner that does not think critically might make copies of the dot and give them away. However, an owner that thinks critically may realize the profit prospective is selling copies of the dot.
If that owner was benevolent, he/she could make a bountiful donation that saves someone’s life. Thus, by escalating the brainpower, I can be of assistance to humanity.PERSONAL REFLECTIONThis course has taught me the value of facilitating my mind to gather knowledge and as a result, acquire understanding. Once this has been achieved, I am able to learn about the limitations of my mind.
However, I know that these constraints are only figments of my potential to rise to the occasion and achieve greatness. This is me and I am knowledge.Yet, I strive to surpass the basic understanding and engage in critical thinking. By being able to aim higher, I create opportunities for myself and open doors that have been shut for a lifetime. I have learned to use my mind to understand that time is a component of infinite.Since infinite lasts forever, I have the rest of my life to portray transformational leadership.
At the same time, my life reaches a climax and I begin to understand the lessons learned. Of course, these are the realities of not letting my bridges be burned. Critical thinking within this matter: A burned bridge can never be crossed again. It has to be rebuilt.
ReferencesPeterson, W.H. (2004, September 1). Teaching students to think. Vital Speeches of the day, 70(22), 691.
Tice, E. (1997, Fall). What is critical thinking? Journal of Excellence in Higher Education, 1-8.
