Lesson 7 - Be a Critical Thinker and Problem Solver

Question 1

To come up with possible solutions to a problem is referred to as:
A. decision making.
B. concept mapping.
C. critical thinking.
D. problem solving.

Answer 1

D. problem solving.

Question 2

"Should I apply for a job or go for an internship?" is an example of which stage in the problem-solving process?
A. Gathering information
B. Implementing a plan of action
C. Interpreting information
D. Defining a problem

Answer 2

D. Defining a problem

Question 3

When looking at the pros and cons of a problem, you are in the process of:
A. gathering information.
B. implementing a plan of action.
C. interpreting information.
D. defining a problem.

Answer 3

A. gathering information.

Question 4

A diagram showing the relationships among concepts and ideas used for organizing information is called:
A. visualization.
B. concept map.
C. outline.
D. organizational chart.

Answer 4

B. concept map.

Question 5

Bloom's taxonomy was developed as a(n):
A. research methodology.
B. problem-solving strategy.
C. evaluation of critical thinking skills.
D. concept mapping tool.

Answer 5

C. evaluation of critical thinking skills.

Question 6

Evaluation in Bloom's taxonomy is considered a(n):
A. lower-order critical thinking skill.
B. higher-order critical thinking skill.
C. criteria for judging a course.
D. stage in the problem-solving process.

Answer 6

B. higher-order critical thinking skill.

Question 7

Paraphrasing or stating in your own words what you learned demonstrates which critical thinking skill in Bloom's taxonomy?
A. Knowledge
B. Application
C. Synthesis
D. Comprehension

Answer 7

D. Comprehension

Question 8

Application means to:
A. memorize the concepts, ideas, or vocabulary learned.
B. judge the merit or value of the information.
C. use the knowledge learned to understand actual situations.
D. breaking the idea down to component parts.

Answer 8

C. use the knowledge learned to understand actual situations.

Question 9

When a student's writing demonstrates well-thought-out, logical reasoning, interconnected ideas, and creative approach, it shows evidence of:
A. good note-taking.
B. research skills.
C. critical thinking skills.
D. good planning.

Answer 9

C. critical thinking skills.

Question 10

Problem solving is a skill particularly used in:
A. the arts and humanities courses.
B. math and science courses.
C. English and writing courses.
D. foreign language courses.

Answer 10

B. math and science courses.

Question 11

What is critical thinking?

Answer 11

Critical thinking includes the ability to understand, conceptualize, analyze, and evaluate information in order to solve a problem.

Question 12

When defining critical thinking, the National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking listed what ten intellectual standards?

Answer 12

Clarity, accuracy, precision, consistency, relevance, sound evidence, good reasons, depth, breadth, and fairness.

Question 13

What are the qualities of a critical thinker? (4)

Answer 13

A critical thinker is someone who:
~ Asks vital questions and raises issues, formulating them clearly and precisely.
~ Collects and evaluates information that is relevant, interprets it effectively, arrives at conclusions, provides solutions that are well-reasoned, and tests them against established criteria and standards.
~ Is open-minded to alternative ideas and ways of thinking, questioning assumptions and implications.
~ Is able to communicate with and work with others, figuring out solutions to complex problems.

Question 14

What is Bloom’s Taxonomy?

Answer 14

A hierarchy of critical thinking skills used by educators to design curriculum and enable students to learn and demonstrate the cognitive skills of critical thinking.

Question 15

What are the six levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy?

Answer 15

~ Knowledge
~ Comprehension
~ Application
~ Analysis
~ Synthesis
~ Evaluation

Question 16

Which levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy are considered lower-order thinking skills?

Answer 16

The first three:
~ Knowledge
~ Comprehension
~ Application

Question 17

Which levels of Bloom’s Taxonomy are considered higher-order thinking skills?

Answer 17

The last three:
~ Analysis
~ Synthesis
~ Evaluation

Question 18

What is the Knowledge level of Bloom’s Taxonomy?

Answer 18

Remembering previously learned material. When tests and assignments involve memorizing facts, identifying information, and recalling terminologies such as those found in objective tests, this is to test knowledge.

Question 19

What is the Comprehension level of Bloom’s Taxonomy?

Answer 19

Grasping the meaning of material. When understanding and comprehending what was read in the material and heard in lectures is required, as when you have to paraphrase, state in your words, outline ideas, and interpret the meaning of information learned, this is to test comprehension.

Question 20

What is the Application level of Bloom’s Taxonomy?

Answer 20

Using information in concrete situations. When you are required to apply concepts and theories discussed in the course to real-life situations or simulated scenarios, this is a test of deeper understanding. This type of assessment usually comes in the form of case studies, problem solving, and providing examples.

Question 21

What is the Analysis level of Bloom’s Taxonomy?

Answer 21

Breaking down material into parts. When you are asked to break down component parts of a complex idea and then tie, relate, dissect, compare, and contrast the parts of an idea to one another, this is to test a higher order of thinking skill.

Question 22

What is the Synthesis level of Bloom’s Taxonomy?

Answer 22

Putting parts together into a whole. This type of assessment usually involves more writing of reports, research papers, and essay papers. This assessment type also may involve projects that require integrating ideas, summarizing other studies, finding relevant materials from which to build new ideas, looking for interconnections, creating and coming up with new ideas based upon what has been learned.

Question 23

What is the Evaluation level of Bloom’s Taxonomy?

Answer 23

Judging the value of information for a purpose. When professors use directive questions such as criticize, form opinions, discern, list advantages and disadvantages, and use criteria for evaluation, this requires making judgments of knowledge. This is assessing high order thinking skills, the foundation of good decision making.

Question 24

What is Concept Mapping?

Answer 24

A diagram showing the relationships among concepts and a tool for organizing information.

Question 25

What are the four major stages in the problem solving process?

Answer 25

~ Defining the problem
~ Gathering and interpreting information
~ Developing and implementing a plan of action
~ Evaluating the plan