Developing Critical Thinking and Problem- Solving Skills

In this article we identified the essence and efficiency of critical thinking and its importance in teaching process. Critical thinking is the ability to raise new, meaningful questions, develop diverse, supportive arguments, and make independent, well-thought-out decisions. The word “critical” implies an evaluation component. But assessment can and should be a constructive expression of both positive and negative attitudes. When we think critically, we evaluate the results of our thought processes - how correctly the decision we made or how successfully we coped with the task. Critical thinking also includes an assessment of the thought process itself - the course of reasoning that led to our conclusions, or those factors that we took into account when making decisions. Critical thinking is sometimes called directional thinking, as it is aimed at obtaining the desired result. This is a carefully considered, well-considered decision regarding any judgment: whether we should accept, reject or postpone it, and the degree of confidence with which we do it.