Critical Thinking for the YouTube Generation

My hat goes off to Tom March over at Infinite Thinking for the audacity to suggest using a YouTube video to help teach the concept of critical thinking. First, in his post March clearly fosters a constructivist approach to teaching the concept of critical thinking and second he understands that relevance is critical for motivating students.

A focus on the work of the Visible Thinking group at Harvard’s Project Zero called Thinking Routines is used as his method for developing critical thinking skills. The concept features the use of daily repeated routines that foster a sense of wonderment within the classroom.

March has some great suggestions as to what to use including one that features Fox News discussing the YouTube video on fence plowing. Imagine beginning a class by telling a room full of students that today you are going to examine the YouTube video on fence plowing.

Talk about a great anticipatory set!