Critical Thinking Reflection

HUM/115 Version 5

Critical Thinking Reflection

HUM/115 Critical Thinking in Everyday Life

Critical Thinking Reflection

HUM/115 Version 5

Step 1: Select one of the following questions:

How can we reduce poverty in the United States?
Will receiving a college degree improve your career opportunities? I chose this
question.
Has the United States peaked as a world power?
Step 2: Choose two course concepts from the list below and explain in 100+ words each how you
would use them to answer the question selected.
Please note that the focus of this paper is not to actually answer the question selected, but to
consider the critical thinking process you would use if you were going to answer the
question.
Course concepts to choose from:
o Define critical thinking.
o Describe ways to overcome barriers to critical thinking.
o Distinguish between the content of thought and the process of thinking critically.
o Determine what information is needed when formulating opinions.
o Describe the different levels of critical thinking
o Analyze the reliability of messages and the credibility of messengers.
o Determine your level of critical thinking.
o Substantiate points of view on issues and problems.
o Identify barriers to critical thinking.
o Understanding and applying the problem solving process.
Name of Critical
Thinking Concept
(from list above)

Explanation of how you would apply this concept to your selected

question above.

Concept 1:

There a lot of definitions for critical thinking. Paul & Elder (2011)

Define critical

determined it as a mode of thinkingabout any subject, content,

thinking.

or problemin which the thinker improves the quality of his or her

thinking by skillfully analyzing, assessing, and reconstructing it. In
other words, using critical thinking we analyze and evaluate our
thinking. Moving ahead, it helps in problem solving, improves
creativity and allows to determine credibility of sources of
information. Reflecting on the question above, obtaining college
degree requires and significantly improves critical thinking, which is
shown during presentations, completing various assignments,
doing research on a topic etc. Nowadays interviewers appreciate

Critical Thinking Reflection

HUM/115 Version 5

possessing of critical thinking skills as it highlights you from other

interviewees, characterizes as a person who is able to solve
problems with advanced approach and who can come up with
Concept 2:

creative solutions.
Applying is this concept is significantly important both in studying

Understanding

process and at work. Undoubtedly, many people often face with

and applying the

problems everyday: whether it is personal problems or problems at

problem solving

work which require solutions from you. Understanding five-step

process.

problem solving model facilitates finding a solution and making

decision, in my opinion. It is easier when you have an algorithm in
front of you and questions you ask yourself and answer. I think this
conception would be immensely helpful for those people who work
with presentations such as entrepreneurs, IT developers and
others. If you explore a problem, you can present a certain
algorithm how you come up with a solution, listeners would
definitely assess it and the problem would get clearer.

Step 3: Reflect on your critical thinking process in 50+ words:

How has your thought process changed throughout this course?

According to the Gamespace assessment, I moved up from 5 th level to 6th level,

i.e. from advanced to master thinker. However, I feel progress from beginner thinker to
practicing thinker. I learnt how to determine credibility of sources of information, six
levels of thinking structure, problem solving method. I do not think I can be called an
advanced thinker as well, because do not always use critical thinking in all fields of my
life, mostly in the university and work, and for the problems and tasks that attract me. I

Critical Thinking Reflection

HUM/115 Version 5

try to practice it as often as I can, remembering learned concepts from this course and
applying them in life.

How do you plan to use critical thinking in your life after this course?

I plan to develop my critical thinking skills to step on the next levels of thinking. It
takes years, thus, hard work is ahead. I will use concepts and techniques learnt here to
apply them in my future university courses, at my job and even in personal life. I am
completely excited that I took Critical Thinking in Everyday Life because I explored my
personality, saw how I can develop myself and how critical thinking is important. I hope I
will keep my motivation and will see later which progress I have obtained after this
course.

References
Paul, R. & Elder, L. (2011) Critical thinking: Tools for taking charge of your learning and your life, 3rd
Edition. Boston, MA. Pearson Learning Solutions

Critical Thinking Reflection

HUM/115 Version 5