{"ops":[{"insert":"We look forward with great anticipation to our upcoming "},{"attributes":{"color":"blue","link":"https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/2024-fall-academy-critical-thinking/1653"},"insert":"2024 Fall Critical Thinking Academy"},{"insert":" to be held November 15"},{"attributes":{"script":"super"},"insert":" "},{"insert":"-17, 2024 in the beautiful Arkansas Ozarks. This is our first in-person event in over five years, and we are delighted to have another opportunity to work with you all in an intimate retreat setting. Together we will explore critical thinking foundations and practice applying critical thinking concepts and principles across the significant domains of learning, teaching, work, and life.\n\nIn preparing for a new academy, we are reminded of core critical thinking insights articulated at our past events, including the following excerpt from the “Program of the Ninth Annual and Seventh International Conference on Critical Thinking” (1989). As you read it, remember that it applies not only to “students” in a formal educational setting, but to all of us who aspire to develop our minds to the fullest.\n\nOne who understands and values education as higher-order learning holds a very different set of assumptions, namely:"},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n\n"},{"insert":"1)   that students can learn what to think only as they learn how to think,"},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"2)   that knowledge is acquired only through thinking,"},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"3)   that educated persons are those who have learned how to gather, analyze, synthesize, apply, and assess information for themselves,"},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"4)   that classes with much student talk, focused on live issues, is a better sign of learning than quiet classes, focused on a passive acceptance of what the instructor says,"},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"5)   that students gain significant knowledge only by valuing it,"},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"6)   that information should be presented so as to be understandable from the point of view of the learner, and this requires that it be related to the learner’s experiences,"},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"7)   that superficial learning is often mislearning that stands as an obstacle to deeper understanding,"},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"8)   that depth is more important than coverage,"},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"9)   that students can often provide correct answers, repeat definitions, and apply formulas while yet not understanding those answers, definitions, or formulas, and"},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"10) that students learn best by working together with other students, with a good deal of experience in mutually supportive debate and empathic exchange of ideas."},{"attributes":{"indent":1},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWith these thoughts in mind, we do so hope you will not miss this unique learning experience led by Dr. Gerald Nosich and myself. There will be separate learning strands for new and returning registrants, while we will also be together as a whole group during part of the academy. \n\nWe will illuminate how we design instruction and training to foster intensive intellectual engagement by every learner, in every class or program, every day. If you are an educator, you will leverage your new understandings in critical thinking to rethink your model of instruction; if you are a business or government leader or trainer, you will utilize critical thinking tools to transform how you view, organize, and execute your training and other work.\n\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"This academy is concerned to foster deep internalization of critical thinking in the long run and is designed for:"},{"insert":"\n\neducators and administrators at all levels of instruction,"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"business and government leaders, and"},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"anyone desiring to advance their personal critical thinking skills, abilities and traits."},{"attributes":{"list":"bullet"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\n"},{"attributes":{"bold":true},"insert":"Throughout the academy, participants will work toward:"},{"insert":"\n\ninternalizing first principles of a rich conception of critical thinking;"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"contextualizing these principles within academic subjects and disciplines, or within business/governmental practices;"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"developing instructional strategies that foster deep learning by helping students, employees, colleagues, and/or clients reason through your content using the concepts and principles of critical thinking,"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"understanding how to embody the character traits of the fairminded critical thinker;"},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"conceptualizing critical thinking as transformative, and as essential to self-actualization and contributing significantly to the common good."},{"attributes":{"list":"ordered"},"insert":"\n"},{"insert":"\nWith limited space at the Academy and Early Bird rates expiring October 6th, we recommend "},{"attributes":{"color":"blue","link":"https://www.criticalthinking.org/store/events/register_1.php?id=653"},"insert":"registering soon"},{"insert":". We also recommend taking advantage of our "},{"attributes":{"color":"blue","link":"https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/logistics-2024-fall-academy-critical-thinking/1659"},"insert":"hotel room blocks"},{"insert":".\n\nRemember that developing critical thinking skills and traits – as a teacher, a learner, a professional, a citizen, a partner, a family member, etc. – is a lifelong expedition, never finished, and that it occurs to a significant degree only through disciplined, explicit, routine practice. Studying in concert with others who are also serious about advancing their thinking is an excellent (and perhaps essential) way to propel your mind forward on this highly important journey. As we undertake such study in November, we hope to have you with us.\n"}]}