Teaching Critical Thinking Skills: Key Questions and Strategies

Free Editable Slides to Teach Critical Thinking SkillsAmanda Werner discusses the importance of critical thinking for both students and adults in this episode of the Empower Students Now podcast. Highlighting that critical thinking involves asking good questions, examining information, recognizing biases, and being open to changing viewpoints, she provides practical steps for teaching and practicing this skill. Through various examples and classroom scenarios, Amanda emphasizes the need for intellectual humility and the importance of fostering a safe environment for questioning and learning. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences of changing their minds based on new evidence and to share these insights with their students.00:00 Introduction and Holiday Wishes00:23 Introducing Critical Thinking02:38 Defining Critical Thinking04:38 Classroom Scenarios and Questions06:34 Challenges in the Information Age08:30 Teaching Critical Thinking11:08 Evaluating Sources and Evidence13:00 The Importance of Questioning17:12 Emotional Influence and Willingness to Change19:32 Practical Tips for Educators22:49 Conclusion and Reflection