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Saturday | 18 January 2025 | Epaper

Students must develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills 

Published : Wednesday, 27 November, 2024 at 12:00 AM  Count : 426
Prof Dr Md Mahmudul Hassan
Today's education is the right stimulus for the path of tomorrow. It is very important to develop critical thinking skills in students from the beginning of their educational life, to adopt problem-solving strategies and to acquire the skills to adapt to any situation. That's why, Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. rightly said, "The function of Education is to teach one to think deeply and to think critically… Intelligence and character, that is the goal of true education. 

A complete education gives one not only the power of concentration, but also a worthy purpose on which to focus one's attention."  When our young people attain the right support at the right time, they can develop themselves as critical thinkers and play a powerful role in changing society. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills enhance the ability of teachers and students to analyze and evaluate as well as to ensure that the information they share, regardless of the source is fair, true and accurate.

We know that when thinkers skillfully analyze, evaluate and reconstruct a topic or problem, it improves the quality of everyone's thinking. Critical Thinking is the result of the knowledge, wisdom and argumentation generated by the human brain in the context of different conditions in society. It can also be defined as a mode of reasoning. In the 21st century, Critical Thinking requires the development of the following knowledge and skills: a. Representing arguments effectively; b. Use of appropriate information and data in the context of the situation; c. Determining the level of systematic thinking; d.  Analyzing how a whole interacts with each other to produce an overall result in a complex system; e. Exercising appropriate judgment and making sound decisions; f. Effectively analyzing and evaluating evidence, arguments, claims, and beliefs; g. Analyzing and evaluating major alternative points of thinking; h. To interpret the given information appropriately and arrive at conclusions based on the best analysis; and i. To reflect critically on learning experiences and processes.

Likewise, Problem Solving is an essential skill for any person including teachers and students, which is related to his critical thinking. Problem Solving refers to evaluating possible learning based on an event, information or situation and determining the appropriate outcome of an action or judgment accordingly. The development of problem-solving skills requires the following knowledge and skills: a. Solving a variety of unfamiliar problems in both conventional and innovative ways; b. Correctly identifying the problem; c.  Asking important questions to verify the correctness of the problem, which clarify different perspectives and lead to better solutions; d. Being aware of what kind of problems can arise in the context of a situation; and e. Thinking deeply about how a problem can be solved.

With the rapid changes in technology and lifestyle, we are constantly facing new challenges in our lives and are faced with more diverse problems.  Therefore, we need to enhance our critical thinking and problem-solving skills by adopting timely ideas and changing perspectives. With the evolutionary changes in technology, we need to adapt quickly to new environments and methods. This helps us to be more flexible to change. This allows students to reflect critically on their learning experiences and make effective decisions.

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving are essential skills for both personal and professional success. These skills contribute significantly to several benefits as; a. Through critical thinking and problem-solving skills, a person can make a sound decision by analyzing information and weighing the pros and cons of different options, which later helps in achieving better results. b. With the help of these skills, a person can break down complex problems into manageable components and develop innovative solutions. c.  Critical thinking and problem-solving skills enable a person to present his ideas and arguments clearly and promote effective communication. d. In today's rapidly changing world, these skills help a person adapt to new situations, challenges and technologies. e. By solving problems through critical thinking, a person can develop new ideas, concepts and processes, which helps in achieving innovation and progress.

It's fact to know the  ways to improve these skills, a person can take the following steps: a. Questioning: To improve critical thinking and problem-solving skills, one should ask hypothetical questions and avoid taking information at face value or by being biased on people. One must learn to take challenges in asking questions. Then a strong belief is born in oneself. b. Evaluating Evidence: One should learn to evaluate evidence objectively, considering both the quality and source of evidence. One should avoid making decisions based on anecdotal evidence or hearsay. c.  Considering Multiple Perspectives: One should develop the habit of considering multiple attitudes and perspectives to examine a risk or problem. This will help the person see the problem from different angles and come up with more effective and creative solutions. d.  Reasoning: One should provide logical reasoning and evidence-based decisions to analyze the information about something and draw conclusions. It is essential to refrain from making decisions based on emotions or personal biases.  e. Gaining new experiences: Engaging in activities that challenge a person's assumptions and help them develop new perspectives. New experiences can be gained by reading different literature, traveling to new places or trying new things. f. Practicing Reflection: One should regularly reflect on any decision-making process and see what factors influenced the decision of the person and whether he could have made a better decision. 

From the above discussion, it is clear that Critical Thinking and Problem Solving are essential skills that can help us identify problems, make the right decisions and turn ideas into reality. To improve these skills, it is essential to have a regular critical perspective through asking questions, evaluating information, analyzing data, making logical decisions, reflecting on creative thinking and practicing patience. With the help of these skills, any teacher or educationist can achieve success in their personal and professional lives. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills are so important for teachers and students in the field of education that they can come to a fruitful conclusion by identifying the right problem in their teaching and learning process and finding the appropriate solution to it.

The writer is Principal, Daffodil International School, Dhaka and President, Bangladesh International Schools Association (BISA)



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