critical thinking and problem solving ted talk

Critical thinking is a 21st-century essential — here’s how to help kids learn it

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If we want children to thrive in our complicated world, we need to teach them how to think, says educator Brian Oshiro. And we can do it with 4 simple questions.

This post is part of TED’s “How to Be a Better Human” series, each of which contains a piece of helpful advice from someone in the TED community; browse through all the posts here.

We all want the young people in our lives to thrive, but there’s no clear consensus about what will best put them on the path to future success. Should every child be taught to code? Attain fluency in Mandarin, Spanish, Hindi and English?

Those are great, but they’re not enough, says educator and teacher trainer Brian Oshiro . If we want our children to have flexible minds that can readily absorb new information and respond to complex problems, he says, we need to develop their critical thinking skills.

In adult life, “we all have to deal with questions that are a lot more complicated than those found on a multiple-choice test,” he says in a TEDxXiguan talk. “We need to give students an opportunity to grapple with questions that don’t necessarily have one correct answer. This is more realistic of the types of situations that they’re likely to face when they get outside the classroom.”

How can we encourage kids to think critically from an early age? Through an activity that every child is already an expert at — asking questions.

1. Go beyond “what?” — and ask “how?” and “why?”

Let’s say your child is learning about climate change in school. Their teacher may ask them a question like “What are the main causes of climate change?” Oshiro says there are two problems with this question — it can be answered with a quick web search, and being able to answer it gives people a false sense of security; it makes them feel like they know a topic, but their knowledge is superficial.

At home, prompt your kid to answer questions such as “ How exactly does X cause climate change?” and “ Why should we worry about it?” To answer, they’ll need to go beyond the bare facts and really think about a subject.

Other great questions: “ How will climate change affect where we live?” or “ Why should our town in particular worry about climate change?” Localizing questions gives kids, says Oshiro, “an opportunity to connect whatever knowledge they have to something personal in their lives.”

2. Follow it up with “How do you know this?”

Oshiro says, “They have to provide some sort of evidence and be able to defend their answer against some logical attack.” Answering this question requires kids to reflect on their previous statements and assess where they’re getting their information from.

3. Prompt them to think about how their perspective may differ from other people’s.

Ask a question like “How will climate change affect people living in X country or X city?” or “Why should people living in X country or X city worry about it?” Kids will be pushed to think about the priorities and concerns of others, says Oshiro, and to try to understand their perspectives — essential elements of creative problem-solving.

4. Finally, ask them how to solve this problem.

But be sure to focus the question. For example, rather than ask “How can we solve climate change?” — which is too big for anyone to wrap their mind around — ask “How could we address and solve cause X of climate change?” Answering this question will require kids to synthesize their knowledge. Nudge them to come up with a variety of approaches: What scientific solution could address cause X? What’s a financial solution? Political solution?

You can start this project any time on any topic; you don’t have to be an expert on what your kids are studying. This is about teaching them to think for themselves. Your role is to direct their questions, listen and respond. Meanwhile, your kids “have to think about how they’re going to put this into digestible pieces for you to understand it,” says Oshiro. “It’s a great way to consolidate learning.”

Critical thinking isn’t just for the young, of course. He says, “If you’re a lifelong learner, ask yourself these types of questions in order to test your assumptions about what you think you already know.” As he adds, “We can all improve and support critical thinking by asking a few extra questions each day.”

Watch his TEDxXiguan talk now:

About the author

Mary Halton is a science journalist based in the Pacific Northwest. You can find her on Twitter at @maryhalton

• brian oshiro
• how to be a better human

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Best Ted Talks on Critical Thinking: Top Picks for Insightful Perspectives

Critical thinking is an essential skill in today’s fast-paced world, where making informed decisions is crucial for success. TED Talks, renowned for presenting inspiring ideas by experts from various fields, offer invaluable resources for individuals looking to hone their critical thinking abilities. This article explores the best TED Talks that focus on various aspects of critical thinking.

TED-Ed, an educational platform by TED, further extends this mission by creating animated lessons to help individuals develop a stronger understanding of critical thinking. These carefully curated talks encompass a range of topics and provide valuable insights to foster intellectual growth and stimulate thoughtful discussions. From understanding the power of logical reasoning to exploring the impact of artificial intelligence on critical thinking, these TED Talks serve as potent resources to sharpen one’s cognitive skills.

Key Takeaways

• TED Talks foster critical thinking skills through expert presentations.
• TED-Ed offers animated lessons to aid in understanding critical thinking concepts.
• These resources cover diverse topics, including logical reasoning and the impact of artificial intelligence on critical thinking.

Understanding Critical Thinking

As an educator.

Critical thinking is a vital skill that educators must foster in their students. By teaching them to think critically, educators empower students to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and draw logical conclusions. This ability is essential in today’s world, where a plethora of information is readily available at the click of a button.

One way to teach critical thinking is by using the Socratic Method , which encourages students to ask questions and challenge each other’s assumptions. This method, named after the renowned philosopher Socrates, involves asking open-ended questions and fostering a sense of curiosity in the learning environment.

Educators can encourage critical thinking by:

• Fostering curiosity : Encourage students to ask questions and investigate new ideas. This process can help them develop the ability to analyze and evaluate information.
• Teaching logical reasoning : Help students to break down complex issues and understand the underlying framework of arguments, improving their overall ability to think clearly and critically.
• Promoting open-mindedness : Encourage students to be open to diverse perspectives and weigh the evidence before reaching conclusions.

As a Student

As a student, developing strong critical thinking skills allows you to better navigate the abundance of information available in today’s interconnected world. It enables you to analyze and evaluate arguments, differentiate fact from fiction, and make well-informed decisions.

Some tips to improve your critical thinking skills include:

• Ask questions : Embracing your curiosity is the first step to becoming a critical thinker. Ask questions to better understand the information and arguments presented.
• Evaluate evidence : Analyze the evidence before accepting claims or conclusions. This process involves assessing the credibility of sources, examining the quality of arguments, and identifying potential biases.
• Challenge assumptions : Don’t be afraid to challenge widely accepted beliefs or preconceived notions, as this can lead to a more comprehensive understanding of the subject matter.

TED talks, like the 5 tips to improve your critical thinking by Samantha Agoos , provide valuable insights and strategies to help both educators and students develop their critical thinking skills. Embracing a curious mindset and incorporating the techniques mentioned above will allow you to cultivate a strong foundation for critical thinking, ultimately leading to academic and professional success.

Benefits of TED Talks for Critical Thinking

Inspiring curiosity.

TED Talks have the incredible ability to create a sense of curiosity among their audience members. By listening to engaging speakers discussing fascinating topics, viewers are often inspired to dive deeper into the subject matter. This newfound curiosity can lead to exploring new concepts and ideas, ultimately enhancing one’s critical thinking skills. Choosing the right topic, like Mohammed Rateb’s talk on critical thinking , can serve as a powerful catalyst for personal growth and development.

Encouraging Participation

TED Talks also provide an interactive platform where individuals can actively participate in the learning process. With a wide variety of talks related to critical thinking , there is no shortage of ideas and perspectives to consider. This encourages viewers to question what they believe, examine their own thought processes, and consider alternative viewpoints. By promoting an active engagement with the content, TED Talks motivate the audience to further develop their critical thinking abilities.

How to Use TED-Ed for Critical Thinking

Creating a lesson.

TED-Ed is an exceptional platform for students and educators alike, dedicated to providing resources that promote critical thinking. To begin, users must first create a TED-Ed account . With this account, you will be able to access various features, including creating and taking lessons based on TED talks that span a wide range of topics.

Creating a lesson with TED-Ed is straightforward. First, select a TED talk video that aligns with the subject you want to cover. After watching the video, create a series of thought-provoking questions or discussion points that can challenge students’ critical thinking skills. You can also include any additional resources or supplementary material to support the lesson content.

Saving Lessons to Collections

To ensure easy access and organization, users can save lessons to their customized collections. This feature allows for the categorization of lessons by topic or theme, making it simpler for educators and learners to find relevant content. To save a lesson to a collection, simply click on the “Add to Collection” option, which is available on every lesson page. Users can also share collections with others, further promoting the exchange of knowledge and critical thinking skills.

By incorporating TED-Ed into the learning environment, users will have access to countless resources that foster critical thinking. The ability to create lessons and save them to collections ensures that relevant and engaging content is readily available, contributing to the overall enhancement of critical thinking skills.

Registration and Authentication on TED-Ed

Signing up for a free TED-Ed account is simple and provides users with access to valuable resources and features. To register, users can either click on the “Register” button located on the TED-Ed website or use their existing Facebook, Google, or Microsoft accounts for authentication.

Once registered, users can easily log in to the TED-Ed account using the provided credentials or through third-party authentication methods, such as Facebook, Google, or Microsoft accounts. It is important to note that the TED-Ed account is supplemental to a standard TED.com account, and logging in to a TED-Ed account will also have users signed in to TED.com.

Creating a TED-Ed account unlocks a variety of educational content, including TED Talks on critical thinking and other subjects. Users gain access to interactive quizzes, customized lesson plans, and TED-Ed’s massive library of animated lessons. In addition, the platform allows users to participate in discussions, engage with other members in the community, and save favorite talks for easy access later.

Overall, the registration and authentication process on TED-Ed is designed to be user-friendly and secure, enhancing the learning experience for individuals interested in exploring various topics, including critical thinking.

Terms for Using TED-Ed

When using TED-Ed resources, it’s important to adhere to their guidelines to get the most out of their content. TED-Ed Talks aim to provide valuable educational lessons for a global audience, and these talks should be utilized in a manner that maintains their integrity and purpose. As a user, it’s crucial to understand the terms and conditions that accompany the use of these materials.

First and foremost, TED-Ed’s content is primarily designed for individuals 13 years of age or older . This age restriction ensures that the material is suitable and beneficial for a more mature audience. Younger users may require parental guidance or supervision when engaging with these educational resources.

In addition to the age requirement, it’s essential to respect the intellectual property rights of the speakers and creators involved in TED-Ed Talks. This includes not reproducing, distributing, or altering the original content without proper permission. Users should also avoid using the talks for commercial purposes, as this may infringe on the rights of the content creators.

Furthermore, when sharing or referencing TED-Ed materials in any context, it’s recommended to provide proper citations and credit to the original sources. This practice not only acknowledges the work and effort put into creating the content but also helps maintain a high level of credibility and professionalism in your own work.

Finally, it’s important to approach TED-Ed resources with a confident, knowledgeable, and clear mindset. This means absorbing the information with a critical and open perspective, leveraging the insights gained to expand your understanding and engage in thoughtful discussions with others. By embracing this tone and maintaining a neutral stance, you’ll be able to effectively learn from and contribute to the educational experiences that TED-Ed has to offer.

Professional Animators and Original Lessons

TED-Ed Original Lessons are a valuable resource for anyone interested in critical thinking. These lessons are created in collaboration with professional animators who bring educational content to life, making complex ideas easy to understand. By combining expert knowledge with captivating visuals, the lessons capture the essence of critical thought, engaging learners of all ages.

One of the standout features of TED-Ed Original Lessons is their accessibility. They offer a diverse range of topics, catering to various interests and levels of critical thinking. These lessons provide a comprehensive introduction to critical thought, as well as a deeper analysis of specific areas. Each video is accompanied by a set of questions and resources, encouraging independent exploration of the subject matter.

Additionally, the collaboration between TED-Ed and professional animators ensures that every video is not only engaging but also visually appealing. The artists utilize a variety of styles and techniques to represent complex ideas, making the learning experience enjoyable as well as informative.

Some of the popular TED-Ed lessons that focus on critical thinking include 5 tips to improve your critical thinking by Samantha Agoos, and This tool will help improve your critical thinking by Erick Wilberding. These lessons offer practical guidance to develop and refine one’s critical thought processes.

In conclusion, TED-Ed Original Lessons, created in partnership with professional animators, are a valuable resource for promoting critical thought. The engaging videos, covering a wide range of topics, provide an enjoyable and effective way to learn and develop critical thinking skills.

The Impact of AI on Critical Thinking

The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) has a transformative effect on various aspects of human life, including the way we approach critical thinking. AI-assisted technology is increasingly being used to enhance learners’ critical thinking, offering unique opportunities to analyze, evaluate, and solve problems more efficiently.

One aspect of critical thinking that has been significantly impacted by the rise of AI is the level of access to reliable information. AI technology allows for quick analysis and synthesis of large volumes of data, making it easier for individuals to gather accurate, unbiased information and make informed decisions. Furthermore, AI-powered systems can recognize patterns, suggest solutions, and help users evaluate ideas and arguments more effectively.

However, embracing AI in critical thinking does not eliminate the need for human involvement. It is essential to maintain a balance between AI’s capabilities and human cognitive skills. Forbes highlights the importance of leadership in fostering critical thinking, and leaders must work collaboratively with AI systems to ensure optimal use of available resources.

As AI continues to integrate into various aspects of our lives, it is crucial for individuals to maintain an awareness of the potential risks associated with AI, such as potential biases in data and algorithms. A thorough understanding of the underlying technology is necessary to effectively utilize AI in critical thinking and avoid over-reliance on AI-generated solutions.

In conclusion, the impact of AI on critical thinking is multifaceted, offering both opportunities and challenges. As AI becomes more sophisticated, it is essential for individuals and leaders to adapt and evolve their critical thinking skills while remaining vigilant in assessing the credibility and reliability of AI-generated information and solutions.

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TED talk comments to enhance critical thinking skills in an undergraduate reading and writing course

• Published: 18 November 2020
• Volume 26 , pages 2941–2960, ( 2021 )

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• Besma Allagui   ORCID: orcid.org/0000-0001-8445-5456 1  

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Commenting, liking and reacting on the Internet have become ubiquitous. In almost every online interaction, people have the opportunity to show their approval of comments. It has also become common to express several other feelings such as anger, love, and compassion through emojis. Previous research suggests that “online spaces represent a cultural turn towards new democratic discourse” (Suhr 2014 , p.77) requiring readers to be critical thinkers so that they do not fall prey to readily available information. Critical thinking is an indispensable skill to teach to our students today who are also frequent users of online spaces. Unfortunately, there is little research on how “liking” a comment can be used to promote critical thinking and deep learning. This article discusses the use of a simple guided critique of online comments to encourage students to think critically about what they are reading or viewing. Data included students’ written analyses of comments posted in response to a TED talk, students’ pretest and posttest critical thinking performance scores, and students’ answers about the effectiveness of the analysis activity. Findings demonstrated that students applied four criteria to judge the plausibility of online comments (informativeness, consistency with prior belief and current context, objectivity, and format/appropriateness). Pretest and posttest comparison showed that evaluating online comments provided students with several alternatives to consider which had a positive impact on their critical thinking skills. Using comment sections is a promising instructional tool to improve critical thinking skills.

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Allagui, B. TED talk comments to enhance critical thinking skills in an undergraduate reading and writing course. Educ Inf Technol 26 , 2941–2960 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10388-w

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Received : 05 July 2020

Accepted : 12 November 2020

Published : 18 November 2020

Issue Date : May 2021

DOI : https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-020-10388-w

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CEG     WEBINAR

Solving Problems Using Critical Thinking and Creativity

Christa Kirby , Vice President of Talent Development and Leadership Practice Director at Corporate Education Group (CEG)

About the Webinar

The ability to think both creatively and critically is an invaluable skill set at the heart of effective problem-solving. While at first glance creating and critiquing may seem like opposites, they are in fact deeply connected... and part of an ongoing generative cycle. To solve challenging problems, we need to explore them holistically — to unleash our imaginations while also applying structure and discipline to our thought processes.

Topics we will cover in this webinar include:

• The intimate connection between critical thinking and creative thinking
• The importance of defining the right problem
• Common cognitive biases that can diminish innovation
• The difference between brainstorming and “brain swarming”
• Techniques for generating both convergent and divergent thinking

About the Presenter

Christa Kirby is VP of Talent Development and Global Practice Director for Management and Leadership at Corporate Education Group (CEG). A licensed psychotherapist, Christa integrates her global experience as a mental health professional with her passion for holistically developing leaders and teams.  For the last 25 years, she has been designing and delivering impactful learning experiences to companies, nonprofits, and non-governmental organizations all over the world.

Christa has also played a pivotal role in various national and global initiatives focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion, civil society building, and conflict resolution. Her work has taken her across North America, throughout Western and Northern Europe, as well as to countries including Afghanistan, Bosnia, Croatia, Romania, Estonia, Ethiopia, India, and Singapore.  Click here to see her TED Talk, “What Lies Within Us: the Transformational Power of Creativity.”

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In any organisation, everyone encounters problems and faces critical decisions. This course aims to familiarise the participants with the necessary skills, motivation, tools and techniques in systematically solving day-to-day problems at the workplace. By attending this course, the participants will equip themselves with effective strategies in identifying, analysing and solving work related problems situations. Participants in teams will undertake a real-life work related problem solving simulation during the training session

What Will I Learn From This Course?

Enhance their ability to think critically when dealing with work related problems, understand the systematic framework for identifying, analysing and solving work related problems, analyse problems, apply analytical reasoning and derive at conclusions when finding root causes, propose effective solutions and plan alternative implementation plans, target audience.

Selected participants of maximum 20 persons

Methodology

A highly interactive and a case-study oriented methodology will be utilized. Consists of seminars, group discussions, video presentations, mini case discussions, individual and group “hands-on” exercises, as well as plenty of self-reflection sessions.

Course Outline for This Programme

Module: critical thinking dynamics.

• Why think critically?
• Critical thinking components
• Applications of critical thinking
• Brain dominance assessment

Module: Problem Solving & Critical Thinking

• Critical thinking in problem solving
• Pitfalls in problem solving efforts
• Reactive vs proactive approaches
• Types of problems

Module: Problem Solving Process

• The PDCA cycle
• The 5-Step PSDM framework
• The Team-oriented problem solving
• Problem solving competencies

Module: The 5-Step PSDM Approach

• Problem definition
• Root cause analysis
• Determining solutions
• Implementing the action plans • Preventing recurrence

Module: Problem Solving Tools

• IS and IS-NOT analysis
• Fishbone diagram
• Elimination process
• Why-why analysis
• Pareto chart
• Scatter diagram

Module: Decision Making Fundamentals

• Decision making dyanmics
• Identify the decision
• Gather information
• Identify alternatives
• Weigh the evidence
• Choose among alternatives
• Take action
• Review the decision

Module: Decision Making Tools

• Force Field analysis
• Decision matrix

Module: Decision Making Simulation

• Application of the 7 steps
• Presentations
• Review and reflections

Nagappan is an enthusiastic and dynamic trainer, consultant, author and motivation speaker. He has trained an extensive number of business and technical professionals, lecturers, students, and parents on a variety of areas. His personal mission is to train, educate, motivate and empower individuals, teams and organizations in achieving excellence. Nagappan’s areas of training specialty includes a wide spectrum of soft skills. He is the author of the book “The Negotiating Edge: Strategies to create a win-win outcome.”

He has more than 18 years of hands-on experience in education and training, in most of which have been spent on “people development”. He had served as the Group Training Manager for several well-diversified public-listed manufacturing and service companies in Malaysia, where his focus were on personal, professional and organizational development training. Besides that, he has also held the position of Director of Studies for a leading IT educational institution in Malaysia.

Nagappan had obtained his Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Management and Information Technology from the United States (USA) and a MBA from Charles Sturt University (Australia). In addition, he had also undergone a practitioner certification training in NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming), a modern communication psychology certification, in Australia. He actively uses the concepts of NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) and ALP (Accelerated Learning Principles) in all training programs that he conducts to enhance the learning outcomes and effectiveness among the participants.

A Certified NLP Practitioner with the IANLP (International Association of NLP, Australia), Nagappan conducts various training programs on personal, professional and organizational development throughout the Malaysia. He has conducted an extensive number in-house programs and public seminars in Malaysia.

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Critical thinking definition

Critical thinking, as described by Oxford Languages, is the objective analysis and evaluation of an issue in order to form a judgement.

Active and skillful approach, evaluation, assessment, synthesis, and/or evaluation of information obtained from, or made by, observation, knowledge, reflection, acumen or conversation, as a guide to belief and action, requires the critical thinking process, which is why it's often used in education and academics.

Some even may view it as a backbone of modern thought.

However, it's a skill, and skills must be trained and encouraged to be used at its full potential.

People turn up to various approaches in improving their critical thinking, like:

• Developing technical and problem-solving skills
• Engaging in more active listening
• Actively questioning their assumptions and beliefs
• Seeking out more diversity of thought
• Opening up their curiosity in an intellectual way etc.

Is critical thinking useful in writing?

Critical thinking can help in planning your paper and making it more concise, but it's not obvious at first. We carefully pinpointed some the questions you should ask yourself when boosting critical thinking in writing:

• What information should be included?
• Which information resources should the author look to?
• What degree of technical knowledge should the report assume its audience has?
• What is the most effective way to show information?
• How should the report be organized?
• How should it be designed?
• What tone and level of language difficulty should the document have?

Usage of critical thinking comes down not only to the outline of your paper, it also begs the question: How can we use critical thinking solving problems in our writing's topic?

Let's say, you have a Powerpoint on how critical thinking can reduce poverty in the United States. You'll primarily have to define critical thinking for the viewers, as well as use a lot of critical thinking questions and synonyms to get them to be familiar with your methods and start the thinking process behind it.

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