Critical Thinking Group aims to develop an approach for the teaching of critical thinking skills to educators, which will equip them with techniques that can in turn be imparted to learners. The focus for developing this approach is on the assertion that a major area of critical thinking is the ability to formulate an argument, which includes using evidence to support and substantiate claims as well as dislodge any counter-claims.
Argumentation as the process of arguing requires learners to engage with data and evidence to make claims based on these and to weigh the extent to which others’ claims can be substantiated. The skills required for critical thinking are important in a life context as well as in an educational environment.
The project carries the belief that the training of in-service educators in the concepts of critical thinking techniques can be developed and focuses on doing just that.
The developed approach will be presented to district officials in the Western Cape for roll-out to grade 9 and 10 science and technology educators for testing and refinement. The approach will also be incorporated as a module for pre-service educators at the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), University of the Western Cape and the University of Cape Town.