Watch critical thinking actually change minds!
In Aug. 2018, ProCon.org presented its 10th annual Critical Thinking Seminar for students attending the Junior State of America’s Gene Burd Symposium on Media & Politics at UCLA. Each year we have found that students change their minds on an issue after they take the time to evaluate both sides using a set of criteria designed to stimulate critical thinking.
The example below is from our July 28, 2014 critical thinking seminar. Before and after the session, students were asked “Are social networking sites good for society?” The difference in their votes helps to prove that critical thinking makes a difference.
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Seminar Facts
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—LESSON PLAN IDEA FOR EDUCATORS—
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OVERVIEW: The seminar revolves around a hotly debated topic, such as the pros and cons of social networking or illegal immigration. The students analyze several pro and con quotations from experts to improve their media literacy. They work together in small groups and engage in a large-group discussion, offering their interpretations and criticisms of the quotes they have read. A rapid-fire brainstorming session follows, during which they build their own lists of pro and con arguments. The impact of the seminar is exemplified by a “before and after” vote on the chosen topic. Students frequently change their positions in the second vote, demonstrating their careful reflection on the arguments from both sides.
STEPS:
HANDOUT: The 2-page seminar handout includes all the information necessary for teachers to present the program to their own students. |
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COMMON CORE STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN THE SEMINAR: | ||||||||||||||||||||
Anchor Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.CCRA.R.1 Content Standards: CCSS.ELA-LITERACY. RI.9-10.3 |
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NATIONAL LANGUAGE ARTS STANDARDS ADDRESSED IN THE SEMINAR: | ||||||||||||||||||||
NCTE 7 NCTE 12 NL-ENG.K-12.3 NL-ENG.K-12.6 12.NL-ENG.K-12.11 |