Abstract:

Critical thinking is a crucial aspect of teaching and learning in post-secondary education. The Foundation for Critical Thinking reports that "commitment to critical thinking affects how one thinks through the design of instruction and how one thinks through the content one is learning. In short, over time instructors come to recognize that teaching in a critical manner is essential for: skilled reading, writing, speaking and listening; skilled reasoning within all subject areas; skilled decision-making and problem-solving; skilled analysis and evaluation of one's emotions and values; intelligent choices in human relationships; and skilled civic and personal choices, etc." (Foundation for Critical Thinking, 2012).

A long-term approach to critical thinking in the post-secondary institutions allows faculty to improve their own critical thinking skills to enhance their own teaching and the students' learning. Professors need to develop instructional material that embraces inquisitive and disciplined thinking so that students question what they are learning. As a result, students can learn to become more proficient at historical, scientific, and mathematical thinking. Finally, the students learn to relate facts, opinions and other relevant information to everyday events that influence them. It is the hope of professors who teach critical thinking skills that the students will develop as leaders for the future through the acquisition of critical thinking skills.

A critical thinking style of teaching correctional education courses at a major criminal justice college is integral to teaching students about correctional education, an important aspect of criminal justice. In a course entitled "Administration of Juvenile Justice Administration", students are taught the basics of juvenile correctional education, the administration of juvenile programs, and recommendations for future research. Application of one of the most important aspects of critical thinking is taught in the course: three modes of character integration. As a result, the students learn to distinguish between the uncritical person, the self-serving critical person and the fair-minded critical person.

Through analysis of course description, course objectives, program guidelines, learning objectives for correctional courses, a required reading list, and assignments, faculty can learn to enhance the teaching of critical thinking skills in similar correctional education courses.Explanation of importance of critical thinking is provided. Through an analysis of the February 8, 2012 class session in "Administration of Juvenile Justice Administration", faculty can learn how to teach aspects of critical thinking skills (character integration) than can enhance the entire course. Faculty and students will benefit from the rationale given for teaching such a lesson in critical thinking.

Keywords:

Education, Critical thinking, correctional education, innovative teaching.