Critical thinking Flashcards
Higher-Order Thinking
How can critical thinking be applied to other fields besides software development? Can you think of an example of a critical thinking skill used in a different profession?
Higher-Order Thinking
Why is Step 2, Analyze the problem from different perspectives and discover the facts, considered the most important step? Can you think of a situation where critical thinking is needed and how applying step 2 would be beneficial?
Why critical thinking is a game-changer for developers?
Critical thinking is a game-changer for developers because it allows them to:
- Continuously test the benefits and drawbacks of different technologies and approaches
- Make informed decisions by processing information before reaching a conclusion
- Solve the right problems in the right way
What are the key steps in the critical thinking process according to the passage and diagram?
The critical thinking process involves 7 steps:
- Identify the problem
- Analyze the problem from different perspectives and discover the facts
- Challenge your biases by asking yourself whether you’re making assumptions
- Hypothesize possible solutions based on an understanding of the problem and your past knowledge
- Test and compare the effectiveness of each solution and the feasibility of implementation
- Select one solution that fits your criteria
- Communicate results to as vast a pool as possible and take actions
What differentiates critical thinkers from others?
Critical thinkers are differentiated from others by the following traits:
- Curious
- Drop less helpful information and use the right ones
- Use reliable sources
- Listen actively
- Communicate effectively
- Have empathy
Higher-Order Thinking
The passage mentions that critical thinkers “drop less helpful information and use the right ones”. How can you develop this skill in your own critical thinking process?
What are the challenges to critical thinking, accordingly with the image?
- Biases: Our own biases can cloud our judgment and make it difficult to see all sides of an issue.
- Limited information: We may not have all the information we need to make a sound decision.
- Flaws in the process: The Problem itself might be poorly defined, or the Solutions might be limited due to a lack of creativity.
- TechWorld: Information overload and the fast pace of the digital world can make it difficult to critically evaluate information.
The image depicts a linear process. Can critical thinking always be a linear process? Why or why not?
Critical thinking is not always a linear process. Sometimes we may need to revisit earlier steps in the process as we gather new information or identify new challenges. The process can be iterative, meaning we go back and forth between steps until we are satisfied with the solution.
What are the two main stages of the critical thinking process according to the diagram?
The two main stages of the critical thinking process according to the diagram are:
- Thinking: This stage involves identifying the problem or question and gathering information.
- Challenge: This stage involves analyzing and evaluating the information, considering different perspectives, and developing a solution.
Higher-Order Thinking
Why is it important to consider different perspectives during the critical thinking process?
The diagram shows “idea” coming from both “problem” and “challenge.” How does this illustrate the cyclical nature of critical thinking?
This means that as we gather information and analyze it, we may come up with new ideas that cause us to redefine the problem or question. This can lead us back to the “thinking” stage to gather more information or explore new ideas.
Higher-Order Thinking
Give an example of a time when you went through this cyclical process while solving a problem.
Higher-Order Thinking
How can you mitigate the challenges of bias and information overload when thinking critically?
Higher-Order Thinking
Think of an example from your own life where you had to overcome a bias to make a critical decision.
Higher-Order Thinking
The concept map shows multiple paths for “idea.” Why do you think it’s important to consider different ideas and not just the first one that comes to mind?
