Learning To Think Things Through: A Guide To Critical Thinking Across The Curriculum

I am truly impressed by the remarkable functionality of this book as a textbook.

The end-of-chapter reviews, which are presented in the form of “you should now be able to…” statements, are phrased in extremely useful and clear terms.

What makes them stand out is that they don't simply focus on what students should be able to recall from the chapter. Instead, they emphasize what students can actually do with the knowledge they have acquired.

This approach is highly beneficial as it helps students to better understand the practical applications of the concepts they have learned.

By highlighting the skills and abilities that students should have developed, the end-of-chapter reviews serve as a valuable guide for students to assess their own learning progress and identify areas where they may need further improvement.

Overall, this aspect of the book greatly enhances its effectiveness as a teaching and learning tool.

This is an outstanding book that delves deeply into the realm of critical thinking.

It specifically focuses on the importance of thinking through the diverse disciplines encountered in college.

Critical thinking is a crucial skill that enables students to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information from different academic fields.

By reading this book, students can gain valuable insights into how to approach and understand the complex concepts and ideas presented in various college courses.

The author provides practical examples and exercises to help readers develop their critical thinking abilities and apply them effectively in different disciplinary contexts.

Whether it's in the sciences, humanities, social sciences, or any other area of study, this book offers a comprehensive guide to enhancing one's thinking skills and achieving academic success.

Overall, it is a must-read for college students who want to improve their ability to think critically and make informed decisions in their academic and personal lives.

Let me start by saying that I want to talk about a book/topic that I think everyone should read. I might convince one or two people with what I have to say.

What's the book about?

"Interdisciplinary Critical Thinking Guide" is a textbook that explains how effective/active thinking should be. The examples are extremely understandable, consistent, and relevant. It presents the subject very well. At the end of each section, there are very good exercises to reinforce the subject. More?

Let's open up about active thinking. (The brain part is my comment, the book focuses on its own technique) Sometimes, even if we don't want to, the brain works from memory to avoid overloading, or it tends towards an easy solution on its own. The book not only increases awareness about these situations but also contributes to the development of the ability to critique. It explains how to approach any subject with details and examples. It standardizes the thinking method. When these are applied, the likelihood of something being left out in the open decreases. Even if there is an error (and there is no chance of it not happening), since the mind is now open, the reason for such a deficiency is questioned, and a thinking methodology that will make fewer mistakes is developing. Let's go a little deeper into the standards and more? (It might be a bit more in a moment):

Part I. What is Critical Thinking?

As I mentioned above, let me draw attention to one or two points.

"Raising a problem is asking a question. Therefore, learning how to think critically is fundamentally about learning to ask yourself questions and raise problems. This means realizing that there are questions and problems that need to be expressed. Usually, this is the hardest part of critical thinking." (7)

As our book explains the AIO-R explanation method used in critical thinking, the whole book is also written using this method. It is also an indication that the author has internalized what he has said. I studied every example and every subject in the book thoroughly. I went through it from top to bottom. But there was no section in the examples where I said "what is this?". At the same time, it is also proof of the success of this technique (it can be counted).

(We may have thought the wrong way in one or two places, it's not easy to agree with me)

AIO-R

I - Express
A - Go into detail (explain it in your own words with its full meaning)
O - Illustrate (give a good example)
R - Describe (A picture: maybe a metaphor, simile, similarity, a diagram, a concept map, etc.)

At the beginning, I used the expression "will make fewer mistakes", and the secret of that is also in the "reflective" nature of this thinking structure:

"Thinking must be reflective; it must involve thinking about my own thinking." (s49)
We don't need to get too caught up in this, otherwise, you'll find yourself in infinite parentheses within your mind :))

Part II. The Components of Logic Theory

The components that are the basis of the difference between thinking and critical thinking. To think about every aspect of an event and to take into account all the components necessary to make a logical decision:

-Purpose
-Question related to the subject
-Assumptions
-Applications and Results
-Information
-Concepts
-Conclusions, Interpretations
-Point of View

Part III. What is Critical Thinking in a Field and Discipline?

How do you use critical thinking in your field of expertise? Or in a course.

Part IV. The Standards of Critical Thinking

"You can think of these standards as a series of screens or filters that show that the logic you have established is not clear, correct, important - relevant, sufficient, deep, wide, precise." (137)
-Clarity
-Accuracy
-Importance, Relevance
-Sufficiency
-Depth
-Breadth
-Precision

Part V. Bringing Everything Together

In the last section, all the headings in the book are brought together. It is a very valuable section to present.

So what do I promise?

"Critical thinking, whether in writing, reading, analysis, evaluation, and discipline, or in your life outside of school, will add value to your life and work. Effort is required, especially before getting used to it. However, the benefits gained are much greater than the effort expended. Better answers, better grades, better courses, and better professions will emerge." (203)

I want to draw your attention to the word "effort" because I dedicated a lot of serious time to the book, but I still can't say that I have fully internalized it. Because it's not just a book to be read and put aside. The book is a work that requires effort but will more than repay you - as long as you put in enough effort. Reading a lot, doing the exercises, thinking a lot about it, and making it a part of your life. I await everyone on this difficult journey. There will be those who fall along the way, those who stumble and rise, those who remain in pain with their knees and heads up, but it won't happen without blood, sweat, and tears. (-Let me also squeeze in a life lesson between the eyebrows and eyes - Run away without looking back at those who claim the opposite)
By the way, let's say you bought it, read it, and weren't satisfied. No problem, bring it back, we're always here :))

(The customer makes a final effort cheerfully as he leaves through the door)

Grad school reads can be an enriching and challenging experience.

It offers the opportunity to delve deeper into a particular field of study, expand one's knowledge and skills, and engage with like-minded individuals.

However, it also requires a significant amount of dedication and hard work.

Students must be prepared to read and analyze large amounts of complex material, write research papers, and participate in discussions and seminars.

Despite the challenges, the rewards of grad school reads can be substantial.

It can lead to a better understanding of one's chosen field, open up new career opportunities, and provide a sense of personal and intellectual fulfillment.

Whether you are interested in pursuing a career in academia, research, or industry, grad school reads can be a valuable investment in your future.