Developing Critical Thinkers : Challenging Adults to Explore Alternative Ways of Thinking and Acting

by Brookfield, Stephen D.

• ISBN13: 9781555423568
• ISBN10: 1555423566
• Edition: Reprint
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1991-07-29
• Publisher: Jossey-Bass

Summary

1989 Winner of the Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult EducationThis award-winning book offers a practical, straightforward guide to helping adults develop their critical thinking skills in four key arenas of adult life: in their personal relationships, in their workplaces, in their political involvements, and in their responses to the media.

Author Biography

STEPHEN D. BROOKFIELD is Distinguished Professor at the University of St. Thomas in Minnesota. He has written widely on the topics of adult education, critical thinking, and teaching and has received numerous awards for his books, including the Cyril O. Houle World Award for Literature in Adult Education and the Imogene E. Okes Award for Outstanding Research in Adult Education.

Table of Contents

Preface	ix
The Author	xv
Part One: Understanding Critical Thinking in Adult Life	1	(68)
What It Means to Think Critically	3	(12)
Recognizing Critical Thinking	15	(20)
Learning to Think Critically in Adult Life	35	(16)
How Critical Thinking Sustains a Healthy Democracy	51	(18)
Part Two: Practical Approaches for Developing Critical Thinkers	69	(64)
Effective Strategies for Facilitating Critical Thinking	71	(18)
Helping Others Examine the Assumptions Underlying Their Thoughts and Actions	89	(22)
Techniques for Developing Alternative Ways of Thinking	111	(22)
Part Three: Helping Adults Learn to Think Critically in Different Arenas of Life	133	(109)
Using the Workplace as a Resource for Thinking and Learning	135	(27)
Analyzing Political Issues and Commitments	162	(22)
Developing Critical Judgments About Television Reporting	184	(27)
Encouraging Active Learning Through Personal Relationships	211	(17)
Being a Skilled Facilitator of Critical Thinking	228	(14)
Epilogue: The Risks and Rewards of Helping Others Learn to Think Critically	242	(13)
References	255	(26)
Name Index	281	(6)
Subject Index	287