CELs - Critical and Creative Thinking (CCT)
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The goal of incorporating critical and creative thinking processes into the Drafting 10 curriculum is to develop individuals who value knowledge, learning and the creative process, who can and will think for themselves, yet recognize the limits of individual reflection and the need to contribute to and build upon mutual understanding of given circumstances which require the use of these skills. What is desired is to train individuals who can recognize when more information is needed, and the type of knowledge which is required, how to find and organize information and who can generate and evaluate solutions to given problems.
Critical and Creative Thinking can be described as qualities of good thinking processes and as types of thinking. Creative thinking is generally considered to be involved with the creation or generation of ideas, processes, experiences or objects; critical thinking is concerned with their evaluation. Both, critical and creative thinking, are terms which are interrelated and complementary aspects of thinking. Almost all of the thinking which we undertake contains some critical and some creative aspects. For example, when teaching a concept like " Engineering Design Process " requires the utilization of the processes of critical and creative thinking. More specifically identifying a specific design problem and designing a work plan to accomplish the goal of actualizing a design project will require the use of these skills. Students may use artistic creation using color, texture, proportion and form. The creation of a design will require great freedom of action and very few limitations and good use of imagination depending on the project. The designs may be "abstract" creating a sense of visual interest or "aesthetic" which focuses more on appeal and appearance or it may be more of a " functional " design which centers on how a unit operates like automotive parts which don't require the need for attractiveness or decorative features.
Critical and Creative Thinking would also be required in " Identifying a Problem ", " Determining the Scope of the Problem" and finally " Making a Market Analysis " in the design process. Once this has been determined then the designer would need to develop a " Work Plan " which will provide an organized approach to solving the problem. Critical thinking skills or decisions will have to be formulated to put into place a project team, evaluate time constraints, and analyze the costs associated with the development of the project per se. Other considerations such as, selecting a solution, designing the project , testing the solution, and implementing the final design will be required. For example, designing mass transportation for disabled people requires all of the aforementioned skills of creative and critical thinking. Collecting and examining data of past failures and successes. Analyzing design possibilities and alternatives to provide better solutions. Preparing reports, design specifications and engineering reports are all considerations. Testing the final product with evaluation documentation are all necessary details required for the project approval and presentation. Finally once approved by those responsible for project implementation will begin. As you can see all of these processes require the thought processes of individuals with creative and critical thinking skills. These skills make individuals employable in the marketplace as high demands are placed on these qualities.
In order for students to master these Critical and Creative Thinking skills teachers can develop projects which will enhance and develop these skills and talents within the program of Drafting. Examples of such projects were created by Ted Slawinski at the Gravelbourg High School. Click on the links below to view these projects.
Engineering and Design Project
The above are examples of many different types of projects that may be used to develop critical and creative thinking skills. It is the responsibility of the teacher to include these activities within the framework of the course itself to build upon their students' innate abilities, interests, experiences and background knowledge.
As you can see critical and creative thinking processes are combinations of abilities, knowledge, values, attitudes, skills and processes.
Last Updated June 12/2001