Introduction to Critical Thinking for Tertiary Studies

Running head: CRITICAL THINKING FOR TERTIARY STUDIES
The Purpose of Critical Thinking for Tertiary Studies
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CRITICAL THINKING FOR TERTIARY STUDIES 2
Abstract
Critical thinking and tertiary study are inseparable. The dependency between these
two emanates from the compressive nature of the tertiary education syllabus. Tertiary study
requires students to collect, sort and analyze information. Additionally, it calls for students to
provide informed conclusion and recommendations out of their analysis. Critical thinking
assists students in information selection, problem identification, and material evaluation.
Moreover, critical thinking is fundamental in identifying existing knowledge gap. With
tertiary education being instrumental in molding all-rounded society members, it is essential
to advocate for the propagation of critical thinking competencies at early education stages.
Importantly, instructors should collaborate with their students to promote the acquisition and
application of the appropriate critical thinking abilities.

CRITICAL THINKING FOR TERTIARY STUDIES 3
The Purpose of Critical Thinking for Tertiary Studies
Introduction
Education serves as a mean of empowering learners to participate actively in the
transformation of the society. Individuals who have undergone the education process are
distinct from those who did not. The importance of education in the modern society cannot be
assumed. Currently, all fundamental societal activities are linked to education. With the
globalization effect increasing the demand for quality education across all educational level,
critical thinking has emerged as a concept of importance in learning institutions. Particularly,
critical thinking competencies are vital elements for tertiary education. However, the
development of these competencies depends on the interactions between the students and
their instructors. Students and instructors should focus on developing the appropriate critical
thinking competencies at lower stages of education to prepare for the more analytical and
inferential tertiary studies.
What Critical Thinking is About
Recently, the concept of critical thinking has attracted discussions in the education
sector. Although the understanding of critical thinking differs with societies, it serves the
same purpose. Critical thinking defines the process of analyzing and evaluating thinking to
improve it (Elder & Paul, 2010). In simple terms, it involves the objective analysis and
evaluation of a situation to make a judgment. Critical thinking works as an advanced form of
standard thinking. Situations that require critical thinking are those that cannot be solved
using general thinking strategies. Elder and Paul (2010) expound that critical thinking
surpasses the most basic levels of intellectual thinking. Consequently, the concepts result in
the restructuring of knowledge.