Critical Thinking and Radical Openness

Critical thinking; the discovering of answers by questioning the who, what, when, and where.

Thinking is a personal action of an intellectual being. The thought is the search for an answer

to a question. As humans, we are born with the innate ability to be critical thinkers. We are

naturally curious beings who are hungry for knowledge. However, our education system

influences individuals to be recipients of information rather than intrigued investigators.

Students' ability to create critically advanced questions is discouraged as they conform to the

norms displayed by our education system. They stray from independent analyzing and lean into

receiving their thoughts rather than creating them. These factors lead me to wonder about

alternative ways we can support students in an academic setting, to think “outside the box” and

form their own opinions as they reflect on curriculum; to engage in critical thinking.

“Critical thinking is an interactive process, one that demands participation on the part of teachers

and students alike” (Hooks, 2010, pg.04) bell hooks introduces this idea of “radical openness.”

 This practice entails teachers opening the classroom atmosphere to the critical thinking of

students. In this environment, the teachers acknowledge that they do not necessarily have all

the right answers. This gives students the opportunity to question and reflect on the topics at

hand. " When everyone in the classroom, teacher and students, recognizes that they are

responsible for creating a learning community together, learning is at its most meaningful and

useful" (Hooks, 2010, pg.11)  I think this quote from hooks summarizes this importance and use

of radical openness. The atmosphere of the classroom should be a joint collaboration of

discovery, critical thinking, and questioning. I have created this visual to demonstrate an active

brain, constantly processing the who, what, when, and where. This is the ideal and thoughtful

activity of future students and teachers involved in the education system.

Hooks, B. (2018) Teaching Critical thinking: Practical wisdom. Dev&Distribu.