Pearsons Red Critical Thinking Model - Essay Example

Name University Course Code & Name Professor Date Critical Thinking Critical thinking may be defined in several different ways according to different authors. Moore defines critical thinking as a “unique kind of purposeful thinking in which standards such as fairness and clarity are put into consideration, and it involves careful considerations of beliefs, possible actions as well as historical decisions in order to arrive at a carefully thought out solution.” It involves the logical analysis of a school of thought, or in the case of a business, possible courses of action without bias to come up with a clear and well thought out solution that is devoid of any fallacies. Ennis defines critical thinking as reasonable reflective thinking focused on deciding on the best alternative. The first model this paper will analyze is the Pearson’s RED critical thinking model. The model attempts to demonstrate how critical thinking and the essential skills required for critical thinking can be acquired. RED is an acronym for the keys to critical thinking as explained by the model; R stands for recognize assumptions, E for evaluate arguments and D for draw conclusions. Recognize assumptions refer to being able to set apart facts and statements of opinion in an argument or proposal. This is made possible by looking out for evidence backing up the information being processed. Evaluating the argument refers to analyzing the quality of evidence to establish its credibility or otherwise. In order to evaluate an argument objectively, an individual should be able to do so without bias or any emotional attachment whatsoever. Lastly, the model refers to drawing logical and objective conclusions based on the evidence available. While the Pearson’s RED critical thinking model describes the process of critical thinking or forming logical conclusions, it is very general. It breaks down critical thinking to only three general steps. It also does not emphasize on how one may achieve the three traits or steps outlined. However, it is methodical and a step by step model of the process of critical thinking. Another model of critical thinking is the Paul-Elder Model of critical thinking which is anchored on three interlinked components that make up critical thinking. The components include; an intellectual standard which refers to the standards which determine whether or not an argument or conclusion constitutes of critical thinking; elements of reasoning which are the eight determinants of critical thinking as well as traits of intellectual thinking. The model seeks to bring out an interrelationship where the intellectual standards are applied to the elements of reasoning to develop intellectual traits which result in arguments and conclusions that are of desired intellectual standards. The model however overlooks some critical traits for instance autonomy, integrity and courage among the traits it advances as intellectual. Further, the model has not established levels of critical thinking to enable its users to evaluate themselves. Most importantly, the model overlooks argument, which is the most salient concept of critical thinking. The third model to be analyzed in this paper is the Collegiate Learning Assessment Model of Critical Thinking also referred to as the CLA model. This model is scenario based; it provides myriads of contexts for authentic assessment of learning and critical thinking. According to George Sadler, “it provides a highly adaptable pedagogical approach for structuring student learning in these skills”. In this model, students are required to make and justify every decision. The model not only teaches and measures the standards of critical thinking but also incorporates other closely related dispositions and skills, for instance, it requires practical reasoning specifically understood as analytical problem solving as well as measuring the writing skills. The criteria used for scoring in the model include; analytical reasoning and evaluation, problem solving as well as persuasive writing. The Delphi Report released in 1990 by the American Philosophical Association summarizes critical thinking as a statement of expert consensus for purposes of educational assessment and instruction. The report outlines a jargon rich definition of critical thinking as follows, “purposeful, self-regulatory judgement which results in interpretation, analysis, evaluation, and inference as well as explanation of the evidential, conceptual, methodological, criteriological or contextual considerations upon which that judgement is based.” The definition more or less summarizes the Delphi report and the key parts in breaks down critical thinking into. It is critical to note that the models are interlinked with each other and more often complement each other. When viewed side by side, one models shortcoming are corrected by the strengths of the other model thus providing a robust framework for critical thinking. Further to the aforementioned models, critical thinking involves a model of hypothesis testing and gathering evidence to establish whether or not the null hypothesis is true. The evidence collected on a particular subject is used to determine the truth or otherwise of the hypothesis. An individual systematically analyses the evidence and based on the weight of the alternatives at hand, a decision is arrived at. More-over, logical thinking is based on the models of deductive and inductive reasoning. Both models have strengths and weaknesses as well as suitable opportunities for application of each. Deductive reasoning is where the truth of the conclusion is tied to the truth of the premises. If an argument has true premise then deductively the argument is true. Inductive argument on the other hand a conclusion is true if there is a high probability that the premises are true. Crystal King defines deductive arguments as arguing from general premise to a true conclusion and inductive argument as arguing from the specific to the general. Critical thinking entails making firm decisions based on the strength and truth of the facts. Offering alternative opportunities as well as inquest into questions allows critical thinkers to attain some goals. The critical thinking process utilizes a lot of models most of them spanning cognitively and mentally. Critical thinking leads to reliability as it facilitates the adoption of mental models that basically trigger the succinct utilization of time. Critical thinking can be compared to an onion that has multiple layers, generally three the inner most layer of critical thinking for instance, relates to selective concern or consideration of substitute state of affairs. Metric s of presentation as well as performance in this stage relates to explanatory, logical as well as probabilistic consistency or coherence of cognitive models. In the outer layer, critical thinking is a reliability assessment of a mental faculty, thus, the extent of dependence that ought to be put in its yields. Dialogues of a critical nature would be one of a variety of social processes or cognitive that could be used to create decisions and beliefs. Under the intermediate stage of critical thinking, models are implanted within a questioning critical layer that inspires the evaluation and generation of probabilities. At this stage, critical questioning is assessed by norm references for appropriate conduction of critical dialogues. Types and natures of dialogue are distinguished by the deepness of exploration where a proponent should respond to the scope of permissible results. Current literature is dominated by three basic perspectives or view points; which are the cognitive processes, argument skills and intellectual development. Based on this critical thinking could be developed or fostered through courses and programs that succinctly accommodate critical thinking that essentially allows for content education in various disciplines. These projects assists channel and thus overcome reluctance of children to address difficulties and challenges in assignments. A lot of literature advocates for critical thinking in professional practice. Angelo notes that critical thinking is important in a workplace, not only for project managers, but other managers and staff as in the workplace important decisions are made all the time. Crystal King in “Critical Thinking for Managers: A manifesto”, begins by emphasizing that all smart companies rely upon critical thinking and critical thinkers for purposes of development, production and successful execution of market place strategies. The ever changing business landscape is often comprised of increased pressure, uncertainties, conflicting ideas and opinions. As such, the work of project managers is varied and requires quick but well thought out decisions around issues. Crystal King lists several actions and or traits that critical thinkers ought to posses. They should always be curious and questioning of any situation they find themselves in. Asking the questions improves the project managers understanding of a scenario and thus minimizes any chance of making a decision while overlooking any material fact. Secondly, the project manager should think broadly and creatively. This requires brainstorming amongst a team, where the project manager has one. The team is able to come up with numerous courses of action that applicable in the situation. At this point in time, the project manager should not be in a rush to come up with a solution to the situation at hand. Instead, he/she should critically evaluate each course of action that the team has come up with considering all the advantages and disadvantages of each possible course of action. The project manager should mentally pose and explore each course of action in order to anticipate beforehand any consequences that may arise thereof. It is important for the decision maker to be sober minded and free of any bias in order to select the best course of action out the many alternatives generated. In a nutshell, critical thinking is vital for project managers as it enables them to understand information, use the information to identify and critically evaluate possible ways of solving a problem as well as making well-informed decisions. According to Dr. Gerry Mac Ruairc, of the UCD, critical thinking should be incorporated into curriculums in order to impart students with the relevant skills as graduates who are critical thinkers are most desirable in a workplace setting. He illustrates a model of critical thinking on professional practise comprising of three key components which include; critical skills, critical knowledge as well as critical disposition. Critical skills refers to the various skills required to critically conduct professional practice, critical knowledge refers to the knowledge required as the basis for any judgments while critical disposition is the skills and core attributes needed to practice critical thinking. He conducted his study using various individuals in different school leadership positions to support his model of critical thinking. In professional circles, critical thinking is often referred to using various terms which include issue resolving, analytical thinking, problem solving or in other quarters logical reasoning. Das notes that graduates and MBA’s would be functionally literate when they know how to approach and resolve complex issues. Further, according to the American Management Association, human resource professionals around the world and across industries have shifted their view and perception of high potential employees from the traditional proficiency in reading and writing to individuals that are problem solvers and originators of processes. Critical thinking, according to the American Institute of Management can be learned and practiced over time to ensure that an individual’s employs it to maneuver situations. The University of Queensland in Australia outlines various tactics of reading critically that may be borrowed and assimilated to public practice. Individuals need to cultivate professional skepticism. They should always ask what? how? why? and why not? In the audit profession, skepticism is a requirement of any good auditor. They are required to ask as many questions as possible in order to come up with a well informed opinion of whether or not the financial statements of a company represent the true and fair position of the firm. In the medical profession as well, doctors and nurses are also required to ask their clients as many questions as they need in order to diagnose them correctly and prescribe the appropriate medicine and treatment. The legal profession is not any different. In order for an attorney to effectively defend their client, they should be privy to all underlying facts which happen when they ask as many questions as possible. Critical thinking therefore without a doubt is important for the decision making of any project manager regardless of the industry or professional field. According to the business case for critical thinking skills as advanced by Anne and Charlie Kreitzberg, numerous benefits accrue from employing critical thinking in any profession. They quote the American Association of Management where in a survey top business executive were in agreement that a set of four skills, herein referred to as four “c” skills are vital for any business. The four “c” skills include; critical thinking, communication, collaboration as well as creativity. This paper will seek to show that the four “c” skills are all by products of critical thinking and their importance to project managers in the daily execution of their roles. Critical thinking improves organization communication as individuals will always communicate factual issues that are well supported. Thus, improved communication ensures that there is clear understanding or roles and situations preventing any instances of conflict within the workplace. Effective collaboration is another benefit that is accrued from critical thinking. Individuals in a team are able to work well together by adhering to the rules/steps of critical thinking in their team assignments and discussions. A creative thinking further avails myriad of possible courses of actions and thus plays a key role in boosting creativity and innovation. Creativity and innovation are core pillars of any project as they would ensure that the project managers always have ideas and potential solutions to any problem. In conclusion, creative thinking is a very crucial skill for project managers. As discussed in the essay, it may help save an organization billions in lost revenue as well as fines as there will be clarity in communication in the work place. Critically evaluating projects ensure that project managers are able to deliver on their projects timely and within a reasonable budget. References Read More