In a saturated society of information and misinformation, confused by the half truths, the lies with veracity visos, shuddered by incessant technological changes, discernment is fundamental as a clarifying tool to evaluate, differentiate the true from the false, indispensable when making decisions, of making a successful choice.
Thinking, reflecting, analyzing, exercising reasoning, forgotten faculty in daily haste, constitutes an imperative in the midst of uncertainty with the challenges of artificial intelligence (AI), proliferation of false news and damage to defamation and injury.
Given the confusion that such a situation generates, the construction of a logical, critical thought, capable of discerning between the real and the deception, questioning the information in a reflexive way, to reach reliable judgments, to rational conclusions, well founded.
A constant flow of information from multiple sources is received through digital platforms, so it is necessary to learn to analyze and discriminate the contents, which implies questioning assumptions, identifying prejudices, evaluating evidence and considering different perspectives.
Thinking citizens
Pedagogues argue that this is possible if from an early age critical thinking is taught and trains at home and school, through sustained learning that will promote the development of essential tools for academic and work success, be intellectually autonomous people, form citizens and thoughtful and participatory citizens. A pending task in the Dominican Republic, with a high deficit in the faculty of logic, critically, judging by acceptance without any questioning of false news spread on social networks.
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Beyond appearances
Think critically helps interpret reality, the background of facts and information, to see beyond appearances, of interested intentions that seek to distort the truth.
It allows differentiating arguments and assumptions, training in recognizing biases, in the search for evidence, formulating logical arguments and an attitude of methodical doubt to avoid accepting information without examining it.
This faculty allows a better understanding of the world that surrounds us, being more prepared to face daily challenges and boost community development through responsible citizenship.
An urgency
The tendency to fleeing how much is read or listened without previous reasoning to educators, for whom more than an option, educating in a critical, logical thought, has become an urgency due to the pressing need to strengthen the capacity for reasoning, of analysis.
They promote the execution of educational programs that emphasize the development of an investigating, creative, innovative thought, promoting cognitive skills that allow to think critically, as well as tools to internalize content and evaluate their quality.
Achieving this implies a deliberate and self -controlled intellectual process to reach a reasonable trial through an honest effort of interpretation, analysis and evaluation of evidence, seeking that this judgment be endorsed from concepts, its context and the criteria on which it is based.
Thinking critically is increasingly priority to the changes that appear with AI, the increase in global interdependence and the risks involved in a culture of information without discrimination.
Consequently, it is urgent to educate in critical thinking, one of the most comprehensive skills that must be developed within the school curriculum, in all academic areas and subjects.
Free of prejudices
Teachers may contribute to modeling critical thinking in students with their own actions, demonstrating how they analyze the information, evaluate arguments and reach conclusions. It must be attentive to the quality of student thinking, also from yours, preventing it from being arbitrary, distorted, partial or product of misinformation and prejudices.
Implementing it in the classroom requires a set of techniques, starting with small activities that work logical, critical thinking, until gradually giving research issues.
Facilitate spaces for debates, discussions where students can express their ideas, listen to others and argue their positions. Question and analyze, encourage them to ask questions, seek evidence and analyze different approaches, exposing their criteria.
Use real examples for students to apply their skills to think logically and critically in specific contexts. Stimulate your curiosity and encourage you to explore different perspectives and question what you learn.
In short, a critical thought generates a fundamental personal opinion, essential to solve personal, family and social problems, face everyday life in an increasingly demanding, changing and complex world.
