Although the goals of critical thinking are to foster critical ability and broad-mindedness, it tends to encourage absolutism, promote passivity, and breed intolerance. The current concentration on critical thinking's reductionism should be balanced with the teaching of alternative approaches to understanding knowledge and reality. (Author/LB)

Instruction in thinking skills is possible and desirable, but educators must guard against assumptions that undermine the process. Eight fallacies that obstruct the teaching of critical thinking skills are presented. (MD)

Discusses the three counterforces that work against teaching art in the schools: (1)students' naive concepts; (2) schooling's neglect of intelligent behavior; and (3) counterproductive disciplinary procedures. Presents the concept of "invisible art" used to teach an experimental course in art appreciation. Includes extensive references. (MD)

This paper proposes that curriculum theorists replace abstract language with more descriptive terms in order to achieve productive criticism, and it examines issues inherent in such a change. American educational discourse, traditionally focused on technical rationales, encourages theorizing, but a descriptive, aesthetic rationale might facilitate…

This four-part report from the Harvard Social Studies Project describes a secondary school curriculum based on an analysis of public controversy and developed to train students to examine, through discussion and argument, the kinds of disputes that cause social conflict. The first part of the report is a discussion of the curriculum approach which…

An experiment in teaching logic to fifth graders using a children's story is reported. Part one of the report develops the experiment's rationale. A lack of reasoning ability among children is perceived and several causes are suggested -- among them a reliance on reading, math, and science as vehicles for reasoning, emphasis on problem solving…

Indicates the need for deliberate, better, and systematic attention to the teaching of critical thinking skills, as per "A Nation At Risk" recommendations. Presents an effective teaching sequence with a definition and classification of critical thinking and stresses the difficulty of the actual teaching of critical thinking skills. (TRS)

This teaching guide provides an integrated framework for teaching thinking skills which involves both teaching thinking in a separate program or course and infusing the teaching of thinking into standard subject area instruction across the curriculum. Individual chapters deal with the following topics: (1) the nature of thinking skills and…

This monograph describes the development of a scope and sequence model for science education specifically intended for use with gifted students in grades K-8. Introductory material notes the rationale and purpose of the model as well as its functions such as providing a scaffolding linking educational concepts with the technology of school…

Two computer programs were developed to enhance community college students' critical thinking skills in the areas of "Comparison and Contrast" and "Analysis." Instructors have several options in using the programs. With access to an LCD panel and an overhead projector, instructors can use the programs in the classroom, manipulating the computer…

Procedures for revising a K-12 social studies program so that it includes thinking skill activities and for implementing the revised curriculum are discussed. Procedures are: the formation of a curriculum committee and sub-committees; current program assessment to determine needs regarding thinking skills; deciding on a rationale; selecting…