DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING IN

TEACHERS

DELIVERED BY:
RODEHLIA L. MACASPAC, Ed.D.
• OBJECTIVES:
– 1. Analyze the process
of critical thinking
based on learning
development theory:
• Vygotsky’s Socio-
Cultural Development
– 2. Evaluate concepts
of how critical thinking
can be developed:
• Ladder of Inference
• Socratic Questioning
• 6 Thinking Hats
 DEFINITION: CRITICAL THINKING

•  The word ’’critical’’ 
derives etymologically  Etymologically, then, 
from two Greek roots:  the word implies the 
• "kriticos" (meaning  development of 
discerning judgment), and  "discerning judgment
• "kriterion" (meaning  based on standards."
standards). 
 The “Unexamined Life”

• As Consumers • As Friends

• As Parents • As Partners

• As Citizens • As Patients

• As Teachers
 NEED FOR CRITICAL THINKING

CONSUMER PARENT
NEED FOR CRITICAL THINKING
CITIZENS FRIENDS
NEED FOR CRITICAL THINKING
PARTNERS PATIENTS
NEED FOR CRITICAL THINKING
TEACHER
SOCIO-CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY:
LEV VYGOTSKY
SOCIO-CULTURAL DEVELOPMENT THEORY:
LEV VYGOTSKY
 LADDER
OF
INFERENCE
by:
CHRIS ARGYRIS
(popularized by Peter
Senge)
 LADDER
OF
INFERENCE
Sample
Application
LADDER OF INFERENCE

VIDEO 1
CONTINUATION VIDEO 1
WHAT IT IS NOT:
Socratic
1.must not use the traditional Method
method of teaching

2.must not act like an opponent

3. does not possess all knowledge

4. must not seek deference to his

authority
 WHAT IT IS:
Socratic 1. a classroom environment which is a
shared dialogue ;
Method
2. promotes open ended inquiry;

3. examines values, principles and

beliefs of each student;

4. focused on moral education ;

5. aims for productive discomfort ;

6. demonstrates the difficulty and

complexity of the world .
CLASSROOM TIPS FOR A 1. SET CONVERSATIONAL GUIDELINES;
SOCRATIC PROFESSOR
2. BE COMFORTABLE WITH SILENCE AFTER A
QUESTION;

3. HANDLE PRODUCTIVE DISCOMFORT;

4. FOLLOW UP QUESTIONS;

5. BE OPEN TO LEARN SOMETHING NEW;

6. WELCOME CRAZY IDEAS AND
DISCOURAGE IRRELEVANT ONES;

7. EMPHASIZE BREVITY AND SHORT

INTERVENTIONS;

8. AVOID DEFERENCE TO ONE’S AUTHORITY.

DR. EDWARD DE BONO
WHITE HAT
YELLOW HAT
BLACK HAT
RED HAT
GREEN HAT
BLUE HAT
 REFERENCES
•1. Elder, L. (2007). Our Concept and Definition of Critical Thinking. The Foundation for Critical
Thinking.

•2. Mathew, K.S. Edward de Bono’s Six Thinking Hats. Rajagiri School of Engineering and
Technology (RSET).

•3. Mindtools Content Team. Six Thinking Hats. Mind Tools.

•4. McLeod, S. (2018). The Zone of Proximal Development and Scaffolding. Simply Psychology.

•5. Reich, R. (2013). The Socratic Method: What is It and How to Use It in the Classroom.
CTLStandford.

•6. Richardson, J. (2014). How to Think not What to Think. TedxTalks.

•7. Tompkins, T.C. and Rhodes, K. (2012). Groupthink and the Ladder of Inference: Increasing
Effective Decision Making. The Journal of Human Resource and Adult Learning. Vol.8, Num.2,
Dec. 2012.

•8. Wass, R.T. (2012). Developing Critical Thinking in Higher Education: A Vygotskian
Perspective. University of Otago, New Zealand.