DS 3006 Critical Thinking

Chong Shear Leen

DS3006 Critical Thinking

Ms. Shariffah Bahyah

27th November 2009

The Grade I Deserve for the Critical Thinking Course

At the beginning of this semester, we were asked by lecturer what Critical Thinking is, but most of
us do not know what it is or maybe there are some students do know but just that they do not
speak out their answer, therefore none of us answer this question. According to her, it is to let us
learn how to think from a different point of view. At first I am thinking, why should I take this
subject, as it is not related to the course which I choose to study (I am taking Business and
Hospitality Course). Educational system nowadays for primary schools and secondary schools are
normally provided with memorization-based education, students are expected to absorb that
information passively then repeat what they memorize in the test or examination paper. According
to Bassham, G. et al. (2008), ‘…is to teach students how to think- that is, how to become
independent, self-educated thinkers and learners.’ Without the ability to think critically, every
situation that a person comes across would have to be considered in isolation from all other
situations. When a person encounters a problem that is a new one, he or she may able to use
critical thinking to solve those problems. Therefore, the grade in my mind, that I deserve to get for
this subject, is grade B because of the academic performance and the effort that I will put during
my exam time.

The marks that I have for my test is 66 over 100, while the marks I got for my mid-term
examination is 12.9 over 20. Besides, I attended all the class since the beginning of this semester,
I never miss a class. I will continue with full attendance, until this semester end, if nothing
unexpected happens. Therefore, until now, I have got 8.2 marks over 10 marks for attendance.
The coursework marks which include test and mid-term examination that I have known so far are
marks 40 over 60, and I have had marks 27.7 out of 40. I will get 29.5 out of 40 with a full
attendance that worth total 10 marks. In order for me to get at least 65 marks, or grade B in this
subject, I still need to gain another extra 35.5 marks in the final paper and final exam. According to
the prediction for the result in final paper and final exam which base on my test and mid-semester
examination result, I will get 12 marks for my final paper and 25 marks for my final examination. By
adding up this forecast result in final paper and final examination and the marks that I have got in

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DS 3006 Critical Thinking

the 40 percent coursework marks, I will get a total of 66.5 marks, which over the minimum
requirement for grade B, which I deserve to get in my mind.

Stated in Huber, D. (2006, pg 134.), the root of concept of critical thinking can be traces to
Socrates, the ancient Greek philosopher.’…It is important to ask deep questions and probe into
thinking sequence, seek evidence, closely examine reasoning and assumptions, analyze basic
concept, and trace out implications’. People often cannot rationally think of the solution for problem
of it is related or even not related to them due to our self-belief, the limited knowledge and the
educational system which is too narrow for us to think in different dimension. After I have study
critical thinking, it helps me in better thinking, and I know that this skill will assist me to survive
better in my future career because that is the reason why I am studying here. I have absorbed
knowledge such as to review an article by evaluating its argument, does it support by point which is
valid or cogent, is the argument follows logical correctness and more. We do practice to refute the
argument with our point in order to understand better about the critical thinking skills that we have
learnt in class. However, the part which I like most is categorical logic and propositional logic.
Though is it not easy to solve the questions sometimes, but I feel like I am attending mathematical
class when lecturer teaching these 2 chapter, which is more akin to practice skills if compare to
other chapter that need better English language knowledge. These 2 chapters assist me to study
critical thinking better and easier because it is a formal system which allows me to determine
whether a sentence or argument is logic or not. Hence, it will help me to gain a better grade in
critical thinking because I will try my best for higher marks in final paper and final examination.

Due to the moderate performance in the test and mid-term examination, I would therefore forecast
my result for this essay to be moderate as well. As stated in Craver, K. W. (1999, pg.3.), ‘…Critical
thinking reflects self-regulation of the thought process’. Lecturer may teach us what critical thinking
is, and the process to apply all the skills. We, who as a student, are the one that should learn all
the knowledge because lecturer cannot be with us until the end of the day, or at least they are not
allowed to be with us during examination period. I do admit that I am not that good in English
writing skills because of my poor grammar and lack of reading, and I cannot improve much within a
month, therefore I probably cannot gain higher marks in final paper. However, I will need to obtain
at least 63 marks in final examination in order to achieve the grade that I wish to deserve. I am
quite confidence with the diagramming part, categorical reasoning part and propositional logic.
Though I am not so good in paraphrasing, inductive reasoning, recognising arguments, and
fallacies, but I do believe that if I will do better by practice more. I probably will gain more than half
of the points in final examination paper for section A which is multiple-choice question part that
contribute 30 out of 100 marks, and section B which is categorical reasoning, propositional logic
and inductive reasoning part that contribute 30 out of 100 marks.
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DS 3006 Critical Thinking

Critical thinking skill is one of the skills that can be implement in the future career for greater
success if compare to those who did not learn Critical Thinking before. Stated in Regal, P.J. (1990,
pg.80.) ‘ …critical thinking skills are also important from the individual’s point of view, if only in
terms of his or her relative ability to compete and survive’. Knowledge is powerful, if we have the
skills to use it correctly. Millionaires could live without their elite schools certificate or their property,
but intelligence were their main assets as they could not manage to reach the stage of millionaire
without their poor judgement in their business. After studying critical thinking for a semester, with
the knowledge that I have gained in the class and self-reading, therefore I do have the confidence
that I deserve to get B in critical thinking subject due to the support point that provided in this essay
and also with the perseverance that I will study hard for final examination.

(1,192 words)

Reference:

Bassham, G., Irwin, W., Nardone, H., & Wallace, James. M. (2008). Critical Thinking: A Student’s
Introduction. (3rd ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
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Craver, Kathleen. W. (1999). Using Internet primary sources to teach critical thinking skills in
history. (ed.). Westport: Greenwood Publishing Group.

Huber, D. L. (2006). Leadership and Nursing Care Management. (3rd ed.). Philadelphia: Elsevier.

Regal, P. J. (1990). The anatomy of judgment. (ed.). Minneapolis: University of Minnesota Press

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