Graduate Quality - Creative and Critical Thinkers

The world needs new and innovative ideas and approaches to manage emerging complex and complicated problems. Graduates will need to reason logically, to assimilate, synthesise, analyse, appraise and evaluate information, evidence and arguments. Graduates will need to demonstrate creativity through recognising opportunities to combine ideas, objects, processes, methods, and systems to advance intellectual understanding and social wellbeing.

“It is stimulating intellectual work that develops the intellect simultaneously as both creator and evaluator: as a creator who evaluates and as an evaluator who creates” (Paul, 1993, p.21).

A creative and critical thinker:

• Applies a logical thinking process to evaluate an issue and generates innovative and practical solutions by combining a variety of knowledge, understandings and skills.
• Uses alternative approaches when analysing contexts, data and media.
• Remains open to variable subject matter, new concepts and changing situations.
• Problem solves and formulates questions or hypothesises to inform understanding.
• Can recognise, synthesise and justify arguments.

Learning Centred activities for Creative and Critical Thinkers

1. Problem or inquiry based learning
2. Thinking strategies (decision making, T charts, mind maps, prioritising, relationship mapping, problem identification, brainstorming, network analysis, grouping, SWOT analysis, logic problems, group work).
3. A clear time frame for an activity/task.

Words associated with learning outcomes for Creative and Critical Thinkers

Analyse, appraise, design, compare, contrast, critique, criticise, debate, examine, experiment, explore, illustrate, infer, determine, distinguish.

Example of aligning with criteria

Course learning outcome: Analyse the relationship between metabolic pathways using the “metabolic road map”.

Criteria example: Analysis of data following metabolic experiment.

Introductory

• Solves problems using different methodologies.
• Reflects on thought processes.
• Creates a product demonstrating knowledge.
• Makes simple connections between practice and theory.

Developing

• Analyses and reflects on content, methods and processes.
• Applies methods of analysis to determine the quality and validity of an argument or problem.
• Solves problems using independently chosen methodologies.
• Connects data sets and research to create new object/product.

Graduate

• Defines and refines independent study project through negotiation with mentor/teacher.
• Constructs and generates new approaches and concepts.
• Demonstrates thinking unconventionally and from a new perspective.
• Leverages current knowledge and understandings to new issues, problems or situations.

“Criticality and creativity have an intimate relationship to be able to figure things out” (Paul, 1993, p. 22). Creative and critical thinking allows people to show initiative and respond to unknowns in an enterprising and innovative manner using reason and theory.

An experienced creative and critical thinker has developed an ability to use both creative and conceptual processes and skills with which to ascertain the validity or strength of arguments and identify bias, false or specious reasoning. They can reflect on their own intellectual performance and analyse and evaluate their practical output. Creative and critical thinking supports: problem solving, initiative, planning, organising, self-management, learning and teamwork – all skills and aptitudes employers are looking for.