I have no objection to trying to teach them to think critically. But stick to theories and concepts in those classes. Don't make the final exam a practical one that involves exposure to flying glass and chemicals. Monona
In a message dated 3/9/2010 12:50:27 PM Eastern Standard Time, jnail**At_Symbol_Here**OKCU.EDU writes:
Let me see if I have this correct =E2=80=93 students don=E2=80=99t think, so we have to do their thinking for them. The problem is that unless we require them to think, they never learn how to think. But then, students, can=E2=80=99t be taught to think, even though universities often have =E2=80=98thinking skills=E2=80=99 as a foundation of their academic assessment plans. I guess we should stop teaching =E2=80=98Critical Thinking=E2=80=99 classes or expecting students to produce anything other than information that has been learned by rote memorization.
I=E2=80=99ve sarcastically argued for 20 years that it should be mandated that everyone must have a crash helmet and an unused condom with them at all times when they are outside of their homes, as you never know when you can be run over crossing the road or contact AIDS from a momentary loss of judgment.
I expect that this will be a federal law in about 5 years.