December 2-9 Question 3

I think throughout this whole semester, my favorite was when I learned about generalization. Generalization happens so often and the strange thing is that I was never really aware of it before this class. Once I learned about it, I was able to see it over and over on TV, in the magazines I read, in conversations with other classmates, etc… The strange thing is that I even find my teachers making generalizations about the students in their class. It’s disappointing really, and always hearing them making the same mistake is actually quite scary. I think that there is a point at which teachers should learn about generalizations as well as students because each semester, there is a very easy one that can be made about their students. Generalizations are dangerous and can lead to many problems and assumptions that might end up being bad. To be a good critical thinker, one needs to avoid making generalizations and understand and recognize when there is a generalization being made.

December 2-9 Question 2

My favorite thing about the class was definitely the open forum aspect of the blogs. We were able to comment on each other’s blogs and give each other feedback on each other’s ideas and thoughts. I think that this aspect is missing in a lot of classes. The sharing of information and ideas is missing in a lot of the classes that I attend now. We tend to, as students, keep to ourselves and forget that college is really a place to share information. My least favorite thing about the class would probably be how we didn’t really have as many application opportunities for what we learned. We did have a few projects here and there, but I think the best thing when learning about critical thinking is putting it into practice and knowing how to think about different things that you encounter in your everyday life. The class could probably be improved by more projects, ones that challenge the student to really put what they’ve learned to the test.

December 2-9 Question 1

Something that I have learned and been reminded of over and over is how easily it is to be taken advantage of when you are not able to think about problems critically. There are many different aspects of this class that have helped me to become a better critical thinking such as being able to recognize different fallacies. Many times in ads on TV or in magazines, there are logical fallacies and someone who is not seasoned in his or her critical thinking skills will be easily taken advantage of.

Another thing that I’ve learned is that it’s very important to spread information and spread your ideas with your peers. I think that the experience of blogging and commenting on each other’s blogs has really helped me to realize how important it really is. I believe that I’ve learned a lot about writing and dissecting writing this semester. I’ve learned to see the biases or see the generalizations made by authors and writers. It’s been an eye opening experience.