Blog post 3 Critical Thinking
My thoughts on "A Talk to Teachers" by James Baldwin
Reading James Baldwin’s “A Talk to Teachers” made me think about how education is more than just teaching students information and preparing them for tests. As teachers, we tend to focus on the things students need to learn, and there is always more they can learn. However, in doing so, we sometimes forget to teach them to think independently. Baldwin talks about how education should help students question things and challenge ideas rather than simply accept what society tells them. We need to help students think critically. Critical thinking can sometimes seem negative, but in every class, there are ways to teach students to think outside the box and question reasoning. I think this is especially true in a math class. As students progress through their math classes, they naturally begin to have more questions. I would not expect my students to simply follow everything they are taught. In my opinion, it is crucial for them to ask questions, think critically, and reason through math because there is not just one method for solving every problem.
Another thing Baldwin mentions is how society can influence students’ beliefs about themselves and the world. Each student has a different background, cultural experiences, and beliefs. As teachers, we need to be aware of this because these aspects of their lives also play a role in the classroom. A student’s identity can impact their learning experiences and abilities. As teachers, we should try to encourage students to challenge themselves and participate.
I think it is important for students to learn how to think for themselves instead of just memorizing information for tests. I can connect this to my own experience in math because sometimes I understand a problem better when I try a different method instead of only following the steps my teacher shows me. I also think some students are afraid to ask questions because they worry about giving the wrong answer. As future teachers, we should make students feel comfortable sharing their ideas, even when they make mistakes. What are some ways teachers can help shy students feel more comfortable asking questions and sharing their thoughts in class?
ReplyDeleteI really liked your point about how students should be encouraged to question what they are taught rather than just accept it. I think this also raises the question of how much independence students are actually given in the classroom. We tell students to think critically, but then often expect them to arrive at one specific answer or interpretation. I wonder how we can balance meeting curriculum expectations with giving students the freedom to challenge what they are learning.
ReplyDeleteYeah critical thinking is extremely important, it turns what you learn from any given subject into something more. Instead of just repeating what they've learned and only thinking of it in the way it was described to them, critical thinking allows for people to use the information they've learned to make more connections with other things they've learned. you can use these connections and derived knowledge in future situations, it allows us to see further than the surface and think about why instead of just what and how. Its important to encourage this kind of thought process as it also creates greater retention for the information that was learned.
ReplyDeleteI liked your point that critical thinking is important even in math, where students are sometimes expected to simply follow procedures. Your example shows that questioning and reasoning are part of learning, not a distraction from it. I also agree that students’ identities and cultural experiences shape how they participate in the classroom, so teachers need to create space for students to bring those perspectives into their learning.
ReplyDeleteHello,
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that critical thinking is an essential skill for students to have especially when many students are using social media to gain information. Sometimes through social media apps there are articles or post that have false information. So, it is important for a student to stop and think about where this post got their information from, is it reliable? Perhaps critical thinking skills can help reduce the public from being misinformed.
I agree that education should be about more than just memorizing information. Students should feel comfortable asking questions and thinking for themselves. I also like your point about how students' backgrounds affect their learning. As teachers, we should make sure every student feels included and encouraged to participate.
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