(19b) Some Thoughts and Activities of Critical Thinking for Chemical Engineering Education

Critical thinking focuses on improving the outcomes of human thought by rational and disciplined analysis. The elements might be framed as fundamental and precise questioning; careful information gathering and processing; validation of conclusions; creative exploration of alternatives; and effective communication of the process and outcomes. These are traits which are not limited to problem solving, because they are habits of thought to be used for any goal of thinking. We assert that engineering graduates should have established such capability, along with the many other skills, knowledge, and values our profession demands, but often are not explicitly included in our curriculum.

These skills might best be inculcated by encounters with, and guidance through, situations for which results depend on the quality of thought exercised in their examination. The educational challenges are selection of the most important elements of critical thinking, and how to incorporate these effectively and efficiently into the teaching/learning experience. There are literature and organizations, for example by the pamplets of the Foundation for Critical Thinking [1] and books by Edward De Bono [2], which describe general concepts and goals, along with some techniques and activities that might be implemented as a part of classes and projects.

The presentation will describe some activities stimulated by these resources that have been incorporated into a foundational engineering course, as wells as chemical engineering thermodynamics and laboratory courses over several years. These efforts have not been systematic in approach, regularity, or assessment, and therefore do not form a program for incorporation into a curriculum. Here, the intention is to contribute to discussion about how the discipline and articulation of critical thinking might be engendered in ChE students to give them the best chance of overcoming the enormous challenges they face in the 21st century and beyond.

[1] http://www.criticalthinking.org/

[2] http://www.edwarddebono.com