Critical Thinking is the ability to identify, analyze, and evaluate information to guide decision making related to behavior and beliefs.
In 2006, the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Park University published a three-year study of 66 public and private colleges: while the overwhelming majority of them (89%) claimed that Critical Thinking was a primary objective of their instruction, only a small minority (19%) could give a clear explanation of what Critical Thinking is.
It should, therefore, come as no surprise that youth today typically lack Critical Thinking Skills: according to Dr. Donald Leu, lead researcher for a compelling 2011 US Department of Education study, students around the nation are not prepared to critically evaluate information, specifically information they find on the internet. Dr. Leu also highlights that idea that “Once they have made a decision, studies show they are less likely to reconsider or research other viewpoints.”