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Critical Self-Reflection Essay
Communication is a key element in human life and activity. In today’s modern age, human beings are exposed to voluminous data and information. Most of the time, we do not have the time to process what we are hearing and seeing. This leads to making inferences and assumptions, which actually may not be true.
Human beings cannot act without assumptions and inferences (Paul and Elder, 2015). Based on the assumptions and inferences, we make conclusions and then firm beliefs about the issue. There are many assumptions that I make in daily life which may or may not be true.
For instance, I see someone driving a fancy car I automatically the driver is rich. It may as well be true, but it could also be a friend driving, a car thief, a chauffeur or the owner’s family member. Inferences and assumptions are easy to form and it does not require too much thinking or intervention.
When I listen to people talking I make inferences as to what they are saying. In the current election debates, when candidates are talking about national security, we infer automatically that current security is weak.
However, there are not many security related incidents that have actually occurred. Therefore, a true understanding is needed to come to definite conclusions on any subject. One cannot rely on assumptions and inferences alone.
Assumptions and inferences mainly occur at a subconscious level. Critical thought process involves the development of this subconscious thought to a conscious level. Inferences need to be supported by our own experience, knowledge and data. Self learning and knowledge can help us become Reasonable. This will help in understanding the inferences that we make and assumptions that follow.
It may emerge that with the support of the new data, we may have wrongly assumed certain things or may have inferred correctly. Our point of view may differ from others in many ways.
For example, if a man is lying on the sidewalk or a bench, one may assume that he is a drunk but another person may assume that the man needs medical help. Points of view differ from person to person.
Points of view are often shaped by the persons experience and perceptions about people. If we consider the case of the Education System we see lot of issues. Let us examine a few articles on the issue of the Education System and critically analyze the arguments.
The education system is unable to cope with the changing demands of the new economy (Lynch, 2015). This could be attributed to many reasons - lack of parents’ involvement, lack of schools, overcrowding, technology, lack of teacher innovation, gender gaps, crime and so on.
Though the article speaks of these reasons, there is not enough Clarity or Logic to support the point of view. Many of the points mentioned are not Justifiable and lack accuracy. The author does not go on to provide data and logic to the arguments.
If state-wise information on education and school population was provided, it would add more Justification to the argument. With the lack of such information, the argument lacks Accuracy.
The article could have enhanced the Clarity by adding more information. For instance, actual research data or federal government data citing the information, would have added clarity. The article could also have added a bit of Accuracy, by quoting researchers and ensured Precision by stating actual state-wide data to support the conclusions drawn.
The article also makes assumptions about the role of technology and the point of view that it involves gaming and is seen more as entertainment. That does not have any logic or evidence.
A certain degree of Profundity helps me to conclude that technology in education has helped the K-12 education system by decreasing drop-out rates and enhancing the quality of knowledge delivered. The fact remains that it is the teachers that need to be trained on technology (Chen, 2015).
The 21st century has changed the way education needs to be developed. The needs of the real world business and economy, has to be kept in focus. The arguments presented lack the necessary Consistency.
On the one hand, there is a point of view of devices being used by children at home and at school. The counter argument states that there is lack of funding in schools to bring technology to the classroom.
But it does not give enough Breadth to suggest ways of integrating the devices at home that could be used in the school environment. Many homes have multiple devices and these can be used by students in classrooms.
These different viewpoints are not discussed. Therefore it is evident that many such articles written by experts in education do not provide the necessary Relevance, Depth or Breadth to the argument to arrive at conclusions. Many blame the public schools system and argue that the politicization of education has led to its decline (Hood, 1993).
Most arguments do not discuss the Relevance and Depth - interplay of different factors and do not put forward differing viewpoints. The fact remains that many decisions like funding, content, pedagogy, salaries are determined by the government.
Since the 1960s the education system has been instrumental in increasing the rate of growth and the today graduation rates are at a high of 80% (Lynch, 2015). Therefore it is not Reasonable to believe and put forth a view that it the government that needs to be blamed.
Many of the assumptions and inferences are not clearly stated. For example, one of the arguments put forth is that students who are below poverty level have highest drop-out rates since they do not receive adequate food or sleep.
This is clearly not supported by any Justifiable facts. It assumes that schools ‘know’ this information (Chen, 2105). Again, the issue is not discussed with Clarity, Accuracy, Depth, Breadth, Reasonability or Consistency.
It is also possible that students in the below poverty zone are actually quite brilliant and will go on to make a difference in the community. There are many examples of poor students who have become scientists and professors.
It is not Reasonable to assume that all poor students show higher drop-out rates. The issue needs a lot more research and focus, before coming to any conclusions. There are many instances in American history where poor students have earned laurels in education and become researchers and NASA scientists. A balanced approach and the proper use of concepts of Clarity, Accuracy, Precision, Relevance, Depth, Breadth, Logic, Significance and Fairness are necessary for Critical Thinking - to help evaluate issues and present reasonable arguments and conclusions.
References
Chen. G., (2015). 10 Major Challenges Facing Public Schools. Public School Review.
Retrieved from: http://www.publicschoolreview.com/blog/10-major-challenges-facing-
public-schools
Hood. J. (1993). The Failure of American Public Education. Foundation for Economic
Education. Retrieved from: https://fee.org/articles/the-failure-of-american-public-
education/
Lynch. M. (2015). 10 Reasons the U.S. Education System is Failing. Education Week.
Retrieved from:
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/education_futures/2015/08/10_reasons_the_us_educatio
n_system_is_failing.html
