Critical thinking is a major and enduring aspect of higher education and the development of criticality in students has long been a core aim. However, understandings of criticality are conceptually and empirically unclear. The book combines a well developed conceptual discussion of the nature of criticality appropriate for the twenty-first century, the extent to which it is attainable by arts and social science undergraduates, and the paths by which it is developed during students' higher education experiences. Drawing upon empirical accounts and case studies of teaching and learning in different disciplines, this book critically analyses higher education curriculum and policy documentation to explore higher educational processes, encouraging a re-evaluation of practice and educational values, and enabling the development of curricula which incorporate systematic attention to the development of student criticality. This book proposes a rounded conceptual vision of criticality in higher education for the twenty-first century.

Critical thinking is a major and enduring aspect of higher education and the development of criticality in students has long been a core aim. However, understandings of criticality are conceptually and empirically unclear. The book combines a well developed conceptual discussion of the nature of criticality appropriate for the twenty-first century, the extent to which it is attainable by arts and social science undergraduates, and the paths by which it is developed during students' higher education experiences. Drawing upon empirical accounts and case studies of teaching and learning in different disciplines, this book critically analyses higher education curriculum and policy documentation to explore higher educational processes, encouraging a re-evaluation of practice and educational values, and enabling the development of curricula which incorporate systematic attention to the development of student criticality. This book proposes a rounded conceptual vision of criticality in higher education for the twenty-first century.

The importance of critical thinking has surged as academics in higher education realize that many students, upon entering college, lack the critical thinking skills necessary to succeed. While much has been written regarding the ‘lack’ of critical thinking, less has been written on the success of methods implemented to develop this fundamental skill. The Handbook of Research on Advancing Critical Thinking in Higher Education explores the effective methods and tools being used to integrate the development of critical thinking skills in both undergraduate and graduate studies. Due to the difficulties associated with teaching critical thinking skills to learners of any age, this publication is a crucial addition to the scholarly reference works available to pre-service and early career teachers, seasoned educational professionals, professors across disciplines, curriculum specialists, and educational administrators.

A major new contribution to college student development theory, this book brings "third wave" theories to bear on this vitally important topic. The first section includes a chapter that provides an overview of the evolution of student development theories as well as chapters describing the critical and poststructural theories most relevant to the next iteration of student development theory. These theories include critical race theory, queer theory, feminist theories, intersectionality, decolonizing/indigenous theories, and crip theories. These chapters also include a discussion of how each theory is relevant to the central questions of student development theory. The second section provides critical interpretations of the primary constructs associated with student development theory. These constructs and their related ideas include resilience, dissonance, socially constructed identities, authenticity, agency, context, development (consistency/coherence/stability), and knowledge (sources of truth and belief systems). Each chapter begins with brief personal narratives on a particular construct; the chapter authors then re-envision the narrative’s highlighted construct using one or more critical theories. The third section will focus on implications for practice. Specifically, these chapters will consider possibilities for how student development constructs re-envisioned through critical perspectives can be utilized in practice. The primary audience for the book is faculty members who teach in graduate programs in higher education and student affairs and their students. The book will also be useful to practitioners seeking guidance in working effectively with students across the convergence of multiple aspects of identity and development.

Revised and extended to cover critical reflection and evaluation of information resources, this new edition of Critical Thinking Skills for Education Students is a practical and user-friendly text to help education students develop their understanding of critical analysis. It outlines the skills needed to examine and challenge data and encourages students to adopt this way of thinking to enrich their personal and professional development. The text helps students to develop their self-evaluation skills in order to recognise personal values and perceptions. Critical analysis, modeling, case studies, worked examples and reflective tasks are used to engage the reader with the text - building both skills and confidence. This book is part of the Study Skills in Education Series. This series addresses key study skills in the context of education courses, helping students identify their weaknesses, increase their confidence and realise their academic potential. Titles in this series are suitable for students on: any course of Initial Teacher Training leading to QTS; a degree in Education or Education Studies; a degree in Early Years or Early Childhood Education; a foundation degree in any education related subject discipline. Lesley-Jane Eales-Reynolds is Pro Vice Chancellor (Education) at Kingston University. Brenda Judge is a Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University. Elaine McCreery is Head of Primary, Early Years and Education Studies programmes at Manchester Metropolitan University. Patrick Jones, now retired, was Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at Manchester Metropolitan University.

Confidence in Critical Thinking bridges the gap between theory and application for both new and established educators who wish to recognise their own critical-thinking skills, develop them and, in turn, support the development of their learners. By harnessing findings from research on design, engagement, goal setting, coaching, performance and the influence of language, this book: Facilitates educators in moving from thinking about these skills as theoretical concepts to practical application Supports educators in their own personal development Provides practical exercises and ideas for learner skills development Encourages reflection from the educator on their own development. A must-read for those wishing to examine the assumption that critical-thinking development happens to all learners to an equal degree as a natural part of the education process. Confidence in Critical Thinking is for both learners wishing to understand and develop critical-thinking skills and educators wanting to develop their learners’, and their own, critical skills.