Problem Solving and Critical Thinking

  Making Connections with Smart Thinking   Making connections with smart thinking involves the ability to recognize patterns, draw relationships between different ideas, and apply knowledge in new and diverse situations. It requires critical thinking skills such as analysis, synthesis, evaluation, and creativity to make meaningful connections that lead to deeper understanding and innovative solutions. By making connections with smart thinking, we can become more effective problem-solvers, decision-makers, and learners. What can get from reasoning Solve problems: Reasoning helps us to analyze complex problems, identify potential solutions, and evaluate their effectiveness.   Make informed decisions: By considering all relevant information and weighing the pros and cons, we can make better decisions that are based on sound reasoning.   Communicate effectively: Reasoning allows us to articulate our thoughts and ideas in a clear, logical, and persuasive manner. ...

Arguments Vs Explanation  Arguments provide evidence for why one should accept a claim. whether a statement is accurate or likely accurate.  Possess a point to make: A justification explains why or how something is true.  There is no proof: Think about the following claims: Argument- Adam obviously stole the money, for three people saw him do it Explaibation-Adam stole the funds to pay for meals because he was in need of them.

 Identifying Claims and Arguments Smart thinking involves analyzing a group of statements where some are intended to support another. Claims are statements that are made in support of a particular viewpoint. Arguments are groups of statements where some of them are intended to support another statement. Premises are statements (reasons) given in support of another statement, while the conclusion is the statement that the premises are intended to support. The process of reasoning from a premise or premises to a conclusion based on those premises is called inference.

 The core of smart thinking-Reasoning Critical thinkers assess the strength of reasons supporting claims, prioritize rationality in decision-making, and demand evidence. Arguments are essential tools in critical thinking and knowledge advancement, consisting of premises supporting conclusions. An argument is a group of statements where some premises support a conclusion. Examples include arguments for or against banning assault rifles or investing in stocks. Inference is the process of reasoning from premises to conclusions, forming a critical component of effective critical thinking.

 Hartman Personality Profile The Hartman Personality Profile is a personality assessment tool developed by Dr Taylor Hartman. It categorizes individuals into four colour-coded personality types: Red, Blue, Green, and Yellow, each associated with a set of core values, traits, and behaviours.

Activity for identifying team members' behaviours My group consisted of 6 members with me. We considered this approach to identify our human behaviours individually. This is the result of it.\ pathum-red+yellow  Chamil-red+yellow  Dilini-green+blue Gimhan-green+blue Lasandi -yellow+green punsisi-yellow+green By this, we can see humans have different behaviours and characteristics. So it must be helpful to 'work and communicate with each other. Understanding human behaviour is important for improving relationships and promoting personal growth, as well as for making better decisions, effective leadership, and promoting mental health. It can also help us navigate social situations, anticipate challenges, and promote positive outcomes in various settings.

 How to understand human behaviours Understanding human behaviour involves a variety of strategies such as observation, empathy, research, theory, and collaboration. By utilizing these approaches, individuals can gain insights into people's motivations, emotions, and thought processes, and develop a more comprehensive understanding of human behavior. Reds : quick and more than happy to take command if needed. They make things happen. However, when they get going, they become control freaks and can be hopeless to deal with. And they repeatedly trample on people’s toes. Yellows: can be amusing, and creative, and elevate the mood regardless of who they’re with. However, when they are given unlimited space, they will consume all the oxygen in the room, they won’t allow anyone into a conversation, and their stories will reflect reality less and less. Greens : friendly and easy to hang out with because they are so pleasant and genuinely care for others. Unfortunately, they can be too wi...

 Models to generate critical thinking There are several models for generating critical thinking, but one commonly used model is the RED Model of Critical Thinking. The RED model stands for:   Recognize assumptions: Identify and question underlying assumptions or beliefs.   Evaluate arguments: Assess the strength and validity of arguments and evidence.   Draw conclusions: Use evidence and reasoning to draw well-informed conclusions.   By following this model, individuals can systematically evaluate information and arguments, recognize potential biases and assumptions, and draw well-informed conclusions based on evidence and reasoning. Other models for generating critical thinking include the Paul-Elder Framework and the Dialectical Thinking Model.

 What can get from Critical Thinking Critical thinking can provide individuals with several benefits, including:   Better decision-making: By evaluating information objectively and making decisions based on evidence and reasoning rather than emotions or personal opinions, critical thinkers are more likely to make better decisions. Improved problem-solving: Critical thinkers are able to identify problems, evaluate potential solutions, and make decisions based on evidence and reasoning, which can lead to more effective problem-solving.   Increased creativity: Critical thinking can help individuals think more creatively and generate new and innovative ideas.   Better communication: Critical thinking skills can improve communication by helping individuals articulate their thoughts more clearly and effectively, and by enabling them to better understand and respond to the perspectives of others.   Improved academic and professional performance: By being able to think ...

 Bloom's Taxonomy Bloom's Taxonomy is a framework that classifies different types of learning objectives into six hierarchical categories, including:   Remembering: Recall information from memory.         Understanding: Comprehend the meaning of information. Applying: Apply knowledge to solve problems or complete tasks. Analyzing: Break down information into its component  parts and understand their relationships. Evaluating: Make judgments about the value or quality of information. Creating: Synthesize information to create something new or original. Bloom's Taxonomy is widely used in education as a tool for designing and assessing learning objectives and activities, and it can be applied across a wide range of subject areas and levels of education. By understanding the different levels of Bloom's Taxonomy, educators can design instruction that supports students in building a deeper understanding of concepts and developing critica...

 Why critical thinking Curiosity is an essential characteristic of critical thinking, as it drives individuals to explore, learn, and see Critical thinking is crucial for making informed decisions, solving problems, and thinking creatively in all areas of life, from personal relationships to professional pursuits, as it helps individuals to evaluate information objectively, identify biases, and reason based on evidence rather than emotions or personal opinions.

 Characteristics of critical thinking Active listening, curiosity, self-discipline, and humility are all important characteristics of critical thinking. Here's a bit more about each one, Active listening: Critical thinkers listen actively, paying attention to both the content and the context of what is being said. Curiosity is an essential characteristic of critical thinking, as it drives individuals to explore, learn, and seek a deeper understanding of complex concepts beyond surface-level explanations. Self-discipline: Critical thinkers are able to stay focused, manage their time effectively, and resist distractions and obstacles to achieve their goals.   Humility: Critical thinkers are open to feedback, willing to learn from others, and recognize their own limitations in order to make more informed decisions. They are not afraid to ask for help or seek out additional information when they need it. Overall, these characteristics help critical thinkers approach proble...

What is Critical Thinking Critical thinking objectively analyses information and ideas to form well-reasoned and sound judgments.  It involves questioning assumptions, considering alternative perspectives, identifying biases, and assessing the credibility and relevance of evidence. This skill is helpful in many areas of life and allows individuals to make informed decisions and solve complex problems.