Integrating Critical Thinking in the Teaching of English in Palestine
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Date
2009-12-05
Authors
Farideh Fatayer
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Abstract
<p>Integrating critical thinking in the curricula and culture of schools and universities has been a hot topic that most educators advocate in Palestine; however, there are no indications that certain measures has been taken to support this move. This paper aims at highlighting the importance of taking the first step in this challenging area due to the fact that students and teachers need to develop their cognitive skills to catch up with the rapidly changing and technologically advancing world. The issue at hand is that both students and teachers need to learn to analyze and evaluate information logically, think creatively, and apply problem-solving skills. They need also to adopt new attitudes of thinking such as becoming open-minded, flexible, and persistent in addition to enhancing interpersonal sensitivity and intellectual sensitivity. To that end, long-term program plans encouraging critical thinking should be fostered. In addition, teachers should attend training workshops that introduce teaching methods used to incorporate critical thinking skills into the curricula of various subjects. The most important factor which will help in the integration of critical thinking into the curricula is the provision of administrative support and the selection of instructional approach/es that match students’ needs.</p>
<p>Integrating critical thinking in the curricula and culture of schools and universities has been a hot topic that most educators advocate in Palestine; however, there are no indications that certain measures has been taken to support this move. This paper aims at highlighting the importance of taking the first step in this challenging area due to the fact that students and teachers need to develop their cognitive skills to catch up with the rapidly changing and technologically advancing world. The issue at hand is that both students and teachers need to learn to analyze and evaluate information logically, think creatively, and apply problem-solving skills. They need also to adopt new attitudes of thinking such as becoming open-minded, flexible, and persistent in addition to enhancing interpersonal sensitivity and intellectual sensitivity. To that end, long-term program plans encouraging critical thinking should be fostered. In addition, teachers should attend training workshops that introduce teaching methods used to incorporate critical thinking skills into the curricula of various subjects. The most important factor which will help in the integration of critical thinking into the curricula is the provision of administrative support and the selection of instructional approach/es that match students’ needs.</p>
<p>Integrating critical thinking in the curricula and culture of schools and universities has been a hot topic that most educators advocate in Palestine; however, there are no indications that certain measures has been taken to support this move. This paper aims at highlighting the importance of taking the first step in this challenging area due to the fact that students and teachers need to develop their cognitive skills to catch up with the rapidly changing and technologically advancing world. The issue at hand is that both students and teachers need to learn to analyze and evaluate information logically, think creatively, and apply problem-solving skills. They need also to adopt new attitudes of thinking such as becoming open-minded, flexible, and persistent in addition to enhancing interpersonal sensitivity and intellectual sensitivity. To that end, long-term program plans encouraging critical thinking should be fostered. In addition, teachers should attend training workshops that introduce teaching methods used to incorporate critical thinking skills into the curricula of various subjects. The most important factor which will help in the integration of critical thinking into the curricula is the provision of administrative support and the selection of instructional approach/es that match students’ needs.</p>