Critical Thinking and Customized Learning

Critical thinking skills align very well with the key components of customized learning. In project and problem-based learning scenarios the climate of student voice and choice forces students to think critically. They must make various decisions about their own learning. They must evaluate sources and ask good questions. Lower and higher level thinking skills are required as students progress through a project.They must start with basic recall and understanding of concepts but as they get further into the project they will apply, analyze, evaluate and create. Formative assessment by the teacher is an important aspect of customized learning because it helps the students to evaluate their own progress and to stay on track. Finally, project-based learning encourages critical thinking since there is no single 'right' way to complete a project. The multiple pathways to learning go hand in hand with critical thinking.

The websites Aluminum Foil Deflector Beanie, and Dihydrogen Monoxide Research Division are great examples to use to show the importance of critical thinking. Both websites have many of the elements of legitimate websites. There are testimonials, visuals, official looking links to web stores and payment options, there is even a link to a press kit! Some great class discussions could be generated around the topics of how to evaluate a website and how to maintain a critical eye when viewing information on the  Internet. I could see using these sites in my Spanish classes as a brief introduction to the importance of finding credible sources. I could also use these sites as jumping off points for creative writing assignments. For example, I could have my upper level students write a testimonial letter for the Aluminium  Foil Deflector Beanie in Spanish or come up with their own special report about the dangers of DHMO in Spanish to add to the research in order to give the site a international flair!