A500.5.3.RB_HallMike

There is no question in my mind that my critical thinking skills have increased to date, and apparently it is obvious to not only me but also my wife.  When I first started this course, I would have considered myself an above average thinker but perhaps that was a misuse of the word thinking when I meant intelligent.  In hindsight, however, I think my thinking skills prior to this class were average at best.  I rarely used any of the circle of elements that were discussed very early on in this class.  As a result, when I thought about stuff I produced results that were not near as well thought out as they could have been a may have arrived at the conclusions in a hap-hazard manner.

Now however, I find myself questioning my thought processes constantly.  I am finding that a question of “why I am thinking in this manner” is often associated with my thinking.  When I am thinking about something, I actively use the circle of elements - something I have found to be very effective at organizing my thoughts.  Many of the things associated with the circle of elements I used before, however they were not used in an efficient manner nor would I have been able to identify what I was doing.  Now, I look for assumptions I am basing things on, I look at different points of view, I look at the multiple conclusions that can be drawn from my thoughts as well as the consequences and implications, and I think about the quality of the information I am using while thinking.  As a result, I really do think that my thinking has gone from average to one that is utilizing critical thought.  

As I showed in my concept map that outlines how I want to get better at critical thought, I intend on rereading the book at some point to ensure that I really understand the concepts contained within it.  Also, I am going to continue to actively think about the circle of elements anytime I am thinking about a specific topic.  As I said above, the circle of elements is something that I have already put into place in my thinking, however I would like to make its use second nature and not something that I have to spell out each time, i.e. I want to use it in a manner similar to how the SEE-I process is intended to be used – fluidly and without breaks in the process.  Mainly, I would like to be able to do this fluidly so that I can show others how to think critically in the future and the best way to do that is to become completely fluent in it.  Additionally, repetition is the key to ensure that the circle of elements is solidified within my head.