I thought I had already understood the concept of critical thinking, but I realised there was still a long way to go. One of the things that I found the most interesting is a threshold concept or threshold barrier. As I researched more about the idea, it became harder to fully understand. After all, I found a good explanation about it on YouTube.
According to TEDx Talks (2018), firstly, it is something that gets people locked in a box where they cannot see a big picture outside. The second is that once they experience and understand a threshold concept, it completely changes the way they see it. To put these another way, once you can think outside the box, you will never get into the box again. Finally, people have different boxes so that they might see the same thing in different ways. For example, a picture below shows two different images, which are a young woman and an old woman. Even if you can only see one of them at first, once you notice the other, your view will completely differ.
Two different images of a young woman and an old woman (Dave, 2013)
To become a critical thinker, I can use a tool called Bloom’s taxonomy explaining the process of thinking critically (Kecia, 2021). Moreover, TEDx talks recommends the following: questioning and jumping into a challenging situation. Being skeptical might need more energy than finding and accepting simple answers.
Bloom’s taxonomy (Kecia, 2021)
I will apply these principles to my decision making. First, trying to find another material that shows a different perspective about something. Second, questioning those materials. Last, weighing up those and design my opinion. It will be difficult to put it into action, but I will have a go with ‘one action is worth a thousand words’. This will bring myself to more of a critical thinker.
__________________________________________________________________Dave, B (2013) Seeing Things Differently, Seeing Different Things. Available online: https://www.business2community.com/strategy/seeing-things-differently-seeing-different-things-0494859 [Accessed 15/04/2022]
Kecia, R. (2021) Updating Bloom’s Taxonomy for Digital Learning. Available online: https://www.techlearning.com/news/updating-blooms-taxonomy-for-digital-learning [Accessed 13/04/2022]
TEDx Talks (2018) Breaking Through: Threshold Concepts as a Key to Understanding | Robert Coven | TEDxCaryAcademy [Video]. Available online: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCPYSKSFky4 [Accessed 13/04/2022]