- Critical Thinking versus Rote Memorization -
If pedagogy is teaching, then it must be assumed there are different methods of pedagogy. Two of these methods, when it comes to learning new information are critical thinking and rote memorization. Rote memorization is useful for acquiring and maintaining new information such as a telephone number, e-mail address or the multiplication tables. However, when greater amounts of information are called for, or when information is acquired that calls for analysis and judgment, then critical thinking may be the better method of achieving learning. This analysis will discuss critical thinking as the best form of pedagogy for a teacher who instructs students in a foreign language.
Critical thinking at its most simple is simply the “careful and precise thinking that is used to resolve some problem,” (McPeck, 1981: 2). However, a more elaborate definition would include the following, “Critical thinking is the process of evaluating statements, arguments, and experiences. An operational definition of critical thinking would consist of all the attitudes and skills used in the evaluating process,” (McPeck, 1981: 58).
Before a teacher can share critical thinking with students there must be certain conditions which exist. For example, if intellectual curiosity is not developed in the students and they are not open-minded and possessing intellectual honesty, then critical thinking cannot develop. The following attitudes thus represent those that are the necessary conditions in which critical thinking may develop: intellectual curiosity; objectivity; open-mindedness; flexibility; intellectual skepticism; intellectual honesty; being systematic; persistence; decisiveness; respect for other viewpoints, (McPeck, 1981: 59). Thus, if the teacher wishes to develop critical thinking, these attitudes must be fostered along with its development.
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