Using Resources to Promote Critical Thinking Critical ✓ Solved
Critical thinking is an integral part of any educational program. At UC, we encourage and provide applicable resources for the promotion of critical thinking. In order to properly research and complete course papers, proper resources must be utilized.
When using research resources, it is imperative to review the six critical questions and implement that data into your writings.
When asked to complete a research paper in the UC School for Computer and Information Sciences, you must use scholarly, peer-reviewed articles. A peer-reviewed article is one that has been evaluated by several researchers or subject specialists in the academic community prior to accepting it for publication and is also known as scholarly or refereed.
All papers written for courses within the School for Computer and Information Sciences must follow the American Psychological Association (APA) writing style.
Research a company or organization and their global strategy to address specific issues (business challenges, breaches, etc). Describe the company, their strategy plan, and the issues while including recommendations to alleviate issues. The research paper must be at least 20 pages, no more than 25, double spaced, in APA format, with at least 15 references, including at least 5 scholarly peer-reviewed articles.
The goal of the research presentation is to summarize your research paper, requiring a presentation time of at least 15 minutes. Group members will be randomly selected for presentation, and all members need to participate.
At UC, it is a priority that students are provided with strong educational programs and courses that allow them to be servant-leaders in their disciplines and communities, linking research with practice and knowledge with ethical decision-making.
This written assignment will demonstrate how course research has connected and put into practice within the student's own career. Students must provide a reflection of at least 500 words (or 2 pages double spaced) on how the knowledge, skills, or theories of this course have been applied, or could be applied, in a practical manner to their current work environment. If not currently employed, students should share times when they have observed or could observe these theories and knowledge applied to an employment opportunity in their field of study.
Requirements include a minimum 500-word reflection, using proper APA formatting and citations. If supporting evidence from outside resources is used, those must be properly cited. Students should share a personal connection that identifies specific knowledge and theories from the course and demonstrate a connection to their current work environment. If not employed, a connection to the desired work environment should be made, without providing an overview of the assignments in the course.
Paper For Above Instructions
Critical thinking is crucial in today's information-laden society, particularly within educational contexts where it shapes the foundation of decision-making and problem-solving skills. In this paper, I will reflect on a recent experience in my workplace that illustrates the application of critical thinking principles gained through my coursework. I will focus on how I utilized these principles to foster effective teamwork and address challenges stemming from communication gaps.
The organization that I work for, a mid-sized technology firm, faced significant challenges related to project management and team cohesion. Teams were often siloed, leading to misunderstandings and inefficiencies. Recognizing that a lack of critical thinking was exacerbating these issues, I decided to apply the models and theories studied in my course in our team meetings.
One of the key concepts I learned was the importance of asking critical questions to guide discussions and decision-making processes. During our meetings, I started to incorporate the six critical questions: What do we know? What is the evidence? What are the assumptions? What are the implications? What are the alternatives? and What is our conclusion? By framing our discussions around these questions, I encouraged my team members to think deeply about our projects and the potential impacts of our decisions.
For instance, when deciding how to implement a new project management tool, rather than simply accepting the first solution presented, we engaged in a thorough evaluation process. Each member contributed their insights, backed by data and experiences from previous projects, which allowed us to weigh the pros and cons systematically. This not only improved our final decision but also fostered a sense of ownership and accountability among team members.
Additionally, I found that applying critical thinking promoted an environment of open dialogue. Team members felt more comfortable voicing their opinions and asking questions, shifting our culture from one that was hierarchical to one that valued contributions from all levels. This was particularly beneficial during our brainstorming sessions, where diverse perspectives led to more innovative solutions. For example, when addressing logistical challenges in a recent project, several team members presented unexpected approaches that we had not considered, leading to a more efficient workflow.
Moreover, I applied the principle of evidence-based decision-making that I had researched previously. When we faced conflicts regarding timelines and project scopes, I ensured that our discussions were anchored in factual data. By gathering metrics from past performances and success rates, we created a clearer picture of what was feasible. This data-driven approach reduced assumptions and biases, enabling us to make informed decisions collectively.
In summary, the integration of critical thinking strategies learned through my course has profoundly impacted my professional environment. The practical application of critical questioning, evidence-based decision making, and fostering an inclusive culture has improved both our efficiency and morale. I am convinced that these skills are not only applicable in my current role but will also prove invaluable in future positions as I continue to advocate for strong critical thinking practices in all my endeavors.
References
- Brown, S. (2018). Critical Thinking in Organizations: Management Implications*. Journal of Education and Human Development, 7(1), 13-20.
- Halpern, D. F. (2014). Thought and Knowledge: An Introduction to Critical Thinking*. Routledge.
- Kahneman, D. (2011). Thinking, Fast and Slow*. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
- McPeck, J. E. (2016). Teaching Critical Thinking: Dialogue and Education*. Psychology Press.
- Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2014). Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Professional and Personal Life*. Financial Times Press.
- Scriven, M., & Paul, R. (2016). Defining Critical Thinking*. Foundation for Critical Thinking.
- Siegel, H. (2018). Educating Reason: Rationality, Critical Thinking, and Education*. Routledge.
- Stuart, J. (2018). The Role of Critical Thinking in Effective Team Collaboration*. International Journal of Management & Leadership, 9(3), 217-227.