One sunny afternoon, 10-year-old Jamie was in the garden, fascinated by a line of ants marching from the base of a tree to a tiny mound. Each ant seemed to know exactly where it was going, carrying bits of leaves and food back to the mound. Intrigued, Jamie observed them more closely and spoke. 

“They’re so small but so organized,” Jamie thought. “I wonder how they all know where to go?” 

Jamie decided to test the ants’ system. Picking up a small stick, he gently placed it in the middle of their path, thinking it would confuse the ants and send them in different directions. But to his surprise, the ants didn’t panic or scatter. Instead, the ants closest to the obstacle paused, then began climbing over the stick one by one. Those that couldn’t climb the stick found a new path around it, rejoining the line on the other side. 

Jamie watched in awe as the ants, rather than giving up or acting chaotically, adjusted their approach and continued working. They didn’t all rush or get lost—they followed a step-by-step process to navigate the new challenge. 

Jamie could learn this because he observed the ants critically. Critical thinking is the cornerstone of effective learning in today’s world. Critical thinking is not a goal or an outcome to be achieved. It is the journey to be taken. It is the path that individuals must walk to be able to develop a clear vision towards their goal.  

Students spend most of their time and brain’s cognition in learning. They can develop critical thinking skills, especially during learning. By learning we do not mean when they are in their classrooms. Learning can happen anywhere and to be able to learn from their environment, students must develop critical thinking skills. Let’s see some of the ways in which they can achieve this.   

  1. Active Engagement with the Material 
  • Questioning: As you learn new material, ask questions to deepen your understanding. Think why certain information is presented in a specific way.  
  •  Analyzing Information: Break down complex concepts into smaller parts and examine how they relate to each other. Just like the ants decided and found a solution for their challenge.  
  • Reflecting on Bias: Ask yourself whether the material presents multiple perspectives and whether your interpretation of the material might be influenced by your own biases.  
  • Applying Concepts: Use real-world examples or hypothetical scenarios to apply the concepts you’re learning. 
  1. Seeking Deeper Understanding 
  • Compare and Contrast: Look at different theories, approaches, or methods, and compare them to see which is more effective in different situations.  
  • Evaluate Arguments: Assess the strength of the evidence supporting different arguments. 
  • Synthesize Information: Combine information from different sources to form a comprehensive understanding of a topic.  
  1. Self-Assessment 
  • Reflect on Learning: Regularly reflect on what you have learned and how well you understand it. Identify areas where you need further clarification or study.  
  • Adapt Strategies: Adjust your learning strategies based on what works best for you. If a particular method isn’t helping you understand the material, be open to trying new approaches. 

If critical thinking skills can help so much when developed during learning so have you ever thought:                          

How might embracing a mindset of curiosity and critical thinking shape the way you navigate the world around, you? 

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