Critical Thinking Exam

Key Terms, Information from the Book, Information from the Slides

Acronym

Words created from the first letter of each word in a phrase or each item on a list.

Acrostic

Phrases or sentences created from the first letter of each item on a list.

Critical Thinking

A systematic way to form and shape one’s thinking.

Intuitive Problem Solving

When a person instinctively, without logical thinking, identifies a solution to a problem based on similarity or dissimilarity to other problems.

Perception Phase

Give meaning to the information.

Reception Phase

Take information without yet knowing what it means.

Scientific Problem Solving

A systematic problem-solving process that involves the following seven steps, problem identification, data collection, hypothesis formulation, plan of action, hypothesis testing, interpretation of results, evaluation.

Selection Phase

Your brain recognizes information as important or unimportant.

Trial and Error Problem Solving

Involves testing any number of solutions until one is found that solves a particular problem.

Working Memory

How the brain stores and retrieves information from short-term memory and long-term memory.

Effective Critical Thinking

* Purposeful and results-oriented
* Based on principles of Healthcare practice and the scientific method
* Guided by professional standards and ethics codes
* Self-correcting through reevaluation and a desire to improve

Analyzing and Evaluating Information

* What is the main purpose of each article?
* What is the most important information in each article?
* What data supports the main purpose of each article?
* What are the key concepts or most important ideas in each article? How do they relate to the article’s main purpose?
* What message is the author trying to convey?

Characteristics of a Critical Thinker

* Fair-mindedness
* Autonomy
* Perseverance
* Integrity
* Creativity
* Humility
* Confidence

To be a critical thinker you have…

To be able to think for yourself and reach your own conclusions

Integrity

A person applies the same rigorous standards of proof to his or her own knowledge and beliefs as the person would apply to the knowledge of beliefs of others.

How can you improve your Critical Thinking skills?

* Clarify your thinking
* Discipline your thinking
* Ask meaningful questions
* Be willing to change your mind

What are the 5 steps of Problem Solving?

1. Identify the Problem
2. Identify possible solutions
3. Select the best option
4. Implement the solution
5. Evaluate the results

Study Skills

* Refreshing one’s memory
* Taking in new information
* Organizing and memorizing data
* Making connections among information

Study Area

A place that is free of distractions that allows you to study. The following questions should be asked:

* Are there a lot of other people in the same area who could interrupt me?
* Are there things in the area that will distract me from studying?
* Is there a TV or radio in the area that might be turned on?
* Is there a phone that might ring too often?
* Is this area easy for me to get to regularly?
* Is the temperature comfortable? If it isn’t, can I change it?
* Will cooking odors come into this area, making me feel hungry and distracted
* Is this area big enough so that it won’t get cluttered when i spread out all of my materials?
* Is there enough light so that I can read without straining my eyes?

Lighting

* Light is very important
* Too much will make your eyes hurt
* The light should shine evenly over all your work and not directly into your eyes

Temperature

* Most people want to be comfortable when studying
* The best temperature for studying is between 65 and 70 degrees
* You should try out your temperature first before studying there
* Nearby air conditioning or heating vent can make you too cold or too hot
* A nearby door can make you feel a draft

Surroundings

A study area should be inviting. It should make you feel good and want to spend time there. A pleasant space can make you more alert. These tips can help you be more alert and avoid distractions while studying:

* Background music can promote relaxed alertness. Avoid music that is too loud or that tempts you to sing along
* Rather than music, some people like a white noise, which blocks out other noises and creates a distraction
* Leave your phone in another room, avoid reading or replying to text messages, sending emails or engaging in other forms of social networking
* Turn off the TV or work in a room without the TV

Daily Preparation

* Reading Texts
* Reviewing Notes
* Studying Patient Files
* Analyzing Test Results
* Consulting Fellow Learners or Colleagues
* Examining Additional Resources

Cover material in small sessions

* Studying with one-hour sessions and then taking a break in between sessions is a productive way to study

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When reading material:

* Pay special attention to bold and italicized print
* Erite main paragraph points in page margins or a notebook
* Read everything, including tables, graphs and illustrations

Make Associations

1. Select the information to be remembered
2. Create an association to the information

Flashcards

They are an effective study tool for learning new material or reviewing information.

Music

The addition of a specific melody helps to trigger memory. Making up a jingle to go along with new material can make it much easier to recall the information later on.

Study Groups

Studying in a small group can be helpful to all group members because everyone is “thinking out loud”, sharing ideas, and learning from one another. If a study group is unable to answer everyones questions, hearing others’ thoughts on a subject is a good way to learn

Getting the Group Together

Successful Study Group Members have 4 C’s

* Committed - truly interested in learning the material
* Contributing - willing to share their knowledge
* Compatible - able to overlook differences and focus on studying together
* Considerate - willing to arrive for studying on time

Making the most of the Group Session

* Determine Objectives
* Prepare in Advance
* Alternate Instruction
* Focus on the Task