[oldalum]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=16957.msg194479#msg194479 date=1496753826]
If schools can't develop critical thinking, then what does?

Actually, almost all schools do not, IMHO, do much to develop critical thinking. The term "school solution" exists to describe the phenomenon. What the school expects is that the student's regurgitate whatever information the professor/TA of the class has presented. When it comes to "critical thinking", that is allowed if it produces conclusions that match expectations. Otherwise, not so much. While it is certainly true that the exposure to differing points of view and thinking processes may lead to the student's learning to think critically, I argue that this is mostly in spite of the institution, not because of it.  Besides, it is too hard to grade a midterm that contains much "critical thinking"  ;D
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That's a pretty cynical view of higher education. Maybe it's accurate--I have no way of knowing--but certainly not universally true. Perhaps the main purpose of higher education is to cultivate critical thinking. The best professors try to promote independent thought. I recall a course I took from a popular English professor who wrote on my midterm, "I am so tired of reading my own thoughts. Thank you for yours." (He was kind enough not to comment on how poor my thoughts were, but they were definitely my own, and he gave me a good grade in spite of their vacuous content)

[oldalum]

[quote author=OutsiderFan link=topic=16957.msg194479#msg194479 date=1496753826]
If schools can't develop critical thinking, then what does?

Actually, almost all schools do not, IMHO, do much to develop critical thinking. The term "school solution" exists to describe the phenomenon. What the school expects is that the student's regurgitate whatever information the professor/TA of the class has presented. When it comes to "critical thinking", that is allowed if it produces conclusions that match expectations. Otherwise, not so much. While it is certainly true that the exposure to differing points of view and thinking processes may lead to the student's learning to think critically, I argue that this is mostly in spite of the institution, not because of it.  Besides, it is too hard to grade a midterm that contains much "critical thinking"  ;D
[/quote]

That's a pretty cynical view of higher education. Maybe it's accurate--I have no way of knowing--but certainly not universally true. Perhaps the main purpose of higher education is to cultivate critical thinking. The best professors try to promote independent thought. I recall a course I took from a popular English professor who wrote on my midterm, "I am so tired of reading my own thoughts. Thank you for yours." (He was kind enough not to comment on how poor my thoughts were, but they were definitely my own, and he gave me a good grade in spite of their vacuous content)