General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Met my first Trump voter the other night. [View all]susanna
(5,231 posts)A good portion of my job is trying to assist people who have never thought critically to entertain the very idea that they can. (If anyone mocks CC students, you're dead to me. Thanks in advance.)
I suspect I have about a 50/50 success rate, because the brainwashing is fierce out there, and I won't lie about that. Some are pretty far gone, but I never give up hope.
However...how does it sound when I get them to think?
By asking the student question upon question upon question and NEVER, ever giving them an answer. NEVER. I tell them to find it for me, and let me know. "Use your textbook, or notes, or Google, for now," I say. Often, this is enough to get them questioning what they have been told.
"What is really being asked?" I say. "Break the problem or situation down into its components, and search on those components." I say. "When you have a good idea of the arguments being presented, bring them all together and tell me what YOU think," I say.
5/10 students are like: "I never knew I could do this kind of research myself."
BINGO.
Note: I never ask that they agree with me, and don't care if they do. I ask only that they begin to think for themselves.
Oddly or not, most are quite amazed to be given that permission. Think about that what you will.
on edit: I worded some things poorly and fixed them...just trying to share my experience.