Professor Lon Larson of Drake University shares this rubric to use in assessing critical thinking skills. It was originally developed for professors who teach first year seminars or other courses intended to guide students in acquiring skills necessary for rational analysis.
As part of the Drake Curriculum, students are expected to learn to:
- "Clearly define a question or problem.
- Gather information that is relevant to that problem.
- Rigorously identify assumptions and preconceptions, including their own, that influence analysis of that problem.
- Organize and prioritize the information to develop a rational argument that states a clear claim or thesis, provides reasons for holding that claim, provides relevant evidence to support each reason, and considers alternative explanations in reaching a conclusion.
- Communicate that reasoned argument effectively in speech, writing, or other medium as appropriate.
- Realize that results are tentative and open to revision."
The rubric provides a great way to guide and assess the students' progress toward acquiring critical thinking skills.
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Posted by: speech writing | August 05, 2009 at 01:10 AM