Critical Thinking as an Essential Skill

All Kimball Union students are immersed in an academic and residential setting that values a set of nine essential skills. Together, these represent the hard and soft skills requisite for a 21st Century leader. We recently presented background on Global Awareness and Personal Growth and Development. In December, the school explored another essential skill, Critical Thinking.
 
Assistant Head of School David Weidman introduced Critical Thinking by diving right into the sub-competencies that make up this essential skill. They are as follows: 
 
Through course work, social programs, and extra-curricular activities, KUA graduates have learned to:
          Ask Relevant Questions.
          Research Effectively.
          Analyze Evidence and Data for Patterns and Anomalies.
          Evaluate Evidence and Data for Bias, Relevance, and Reliability.
          Synthesize Evidence and Data.
          Verify and Defend Conclusions.
 
Assistant Librarian Christine Clisura endorses Critical Thinking by remarking, “With the proliferation of fake news stories spreading around on Facebook and Twitter, and especially considering the enormous role it will continue to play in politics, this is perhaps the most important Essential Skill.” Freshman and Sophomore English teacher, Lauren Kelly comments in the same vein, “If trends continue in regards to communication and socialization, the aim of this skill is to forearm students with the skills necessary to filter what they say and hear, and navigate the global information market.”
 
Thank you, Christine, David, and Lauren, for sharing the importance of Critical Thinking. Stay tuned in coming months for more Essential Skill updates.
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