" The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing." - Albert Einstein
Curiosity is the driving force behind critical thinking. It prompts us to ask questions, seek out new experiences, and explore the unknown. Without curiosity, our minds remain stagnant, and our ability to think critically is limited. This inquisitive nature propels us to dig deeper, challenge assumptions, and discover new perspectives.
One of the stories in a recent session about critical thinking, briefly, was a Pizza & Pisa voyage. My seafaring batchmates and I, a bunch of 18 year olds, were attempting to navigate their way towards The Leaning Tower of Pisa, Italy with the help of a map, compass & limited Italian. It became an exercise in critical thinking. We deciphered directions through smiles and gestures, our resourcefulness kicking in (unconscious awareness of limitations). Pizza, a foreign concept to many of us then in India, became the next challenge. Scanning menus for unfamiliar pictures and employing pizza charades honed our ability to adapt (enjoying the journey of discovery). This quest for a slice, achieved through a blend of unconscious awareness, resourcefulness, and a touch of adventurous spirit, became a testament to the power of critical thinking in everyday situations.
In order to enhance critical thinking & problem solving check out these 3 key ideas:
Awareness. Critical thinking begins with awareness – being conscious of your own thoughts, biases, and the world around you. It involves questioning assumptions, seeking evidence, and considering alternative perspectives. Developing awareness helps you recognize when emotions or preconceptions might be clouding your judgement. It also enables you to evaluate information more effectively, distinguishing between credible sources and misinformation. Without awareness, critical thinking becomes limited by narrow viewpoints and unquestioned assumptions. In our Pisa adventure, we were subconsciously aware of our limitations with language and navigating a new country, which sparked our resourcefulness.
Resourcefulness. Critical thinking is about problem-solving and making well-informed decisions, often with limited information. Being resourceful means knowing how to gather, analyse, and synthesise information from various sources. It involves knowing where to look for credible information, how to verify facts, and how to adapt to new situations or challenges. Resourcefulness also includes creativity and thinking outside the box to generate innovative solutions. Without resourcefulness, critical thinking lacks the tools needed to navigate complex problems or uncertainties.We turned to our map, smiles, and even charades to decipher directions and find that elusive pizza.
Enjoying the Journey. Critical thinking is not just about reaching conclusions; it's about the process of inquiry and discovery. Enjoying the journey of learning fosters curiosity, open-mindedness, and a willingness to engage with diverse ideas. It encourages experimentation, reflection, and continuous improvement. When you approach critical thinking as a journey rather than a destination, you embrace challenges as opportunities for growth. This mindset cultivates resilience and perseverance in the face of obstacles or setbacks. Without enjoying the journey, critical thinking becomes a chore rather than a fulfilling and enriching experience. It is not just about the destination (the delicious pizza); it's about the process of discovery. We embraced the challenge of finding pizza in a foreign land, laughed along the way, and learned valuable communication skills through our pizza charade.
In summary, awareness, resourcefulness, and enjoying the journey are essential components of developing critical thinking skills. They provide the foundation for questioning, analysing, and synthesising information effectively, ultimately leading to more informed decisions and deeper understanding.
I am grateful to Kruu for having the opportunity to deliver a keynote address about the power of critical thinking on HCL Jigsaw 5.0 platform. It served to imbibe the essential skill of critical thinking to some 10,000 plus high school learners. If you want to get more insights, the full video of the Critical Thinking Keynote is available in the HCL Jigsaw YouTube Link - https://youtu.be/DjR-MiYqrsU
Reach out to us at JOI if you wish to know more, collaborate or even gain a step up in your own learning journey. I am happy to do career, academic and transition coaching to address your current area of need. Do email at ceo@johnsonodakkal.com and do visit www.joi4u.com so that you Find Your V.O.I.C.E.
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