Critical thinking

Critical thinking has been described as "purposeful reflective judgment concerning what to believe or what to do."1 While it is called critical, it does not have to be negative - it can be deep enquiry and questioning, or be respectful exploration. Having said that, it can also be paradigm shifting and part of an active process to challange the status quo.

Critical thinking challenges "one size fits all" thinking, and helps challenge bias and dominant versions of what is important based on incomplete understanding of the issues involved. It encourages examination of personal and professional contribution to change, and helps lead to self determination and autonomy for the learner. It can also provide an encouraging basis for future participation, and the capacity to take a stand (GSE827 2010).

Envisioning: teaching tool

Normally, people are told what their goal is, and how to get there. It has been noted that creates a situation where people "don't take ownership of the change process and also feel extremely disempowered" (ARIES 2006).

Envisioning invites participants to create a shared vision around an issue, and take many forms. It involves the creation of a shared vision among the group, and gives people a positive goal to work towards together that they have created together (GSE827 2010, Tilbury & Wortman 2004).

I think it could be a useful tool to sidestep the hopelessness that can surround may seemingly overwhelming environmental problems. It helps people simultaneously hope for better outcomes, as well as take ownership of the problem and its solutions: while it is important to show people "hell" [the world if the problem is not fixed], you must also show them "heaven" - this also helps them contrast the positive vision world with the status-quo world (GSE827 2010).

Possible EfSD workshop activity idea

Possible idea for what to do in EfSD workshop:

"Problems and solutions" speed dating - divide into two groups and sit one in inner circle. Other sit in front of one at random (is possible?), and then for each turn outer circle have to move one to the right.

For first half number of turns, have 30 secs to workshop the "worst" from current world (environmental problem? impediments to sustainability? equity divide?) they can think of between two. Then for second half, have to come up with a vision word for how they want world to be, or qualities society/world should have eg peace, stability, participation.

Then get inner circle to put words up on board - negatives first, then positives, and seek out commonalities. Then seek ways from negative first to positive second - further workshops to second positive.

Probs: enough time in 20 min workshop? (number in class? will need an intro section) Also, our group is currently thinking of exploring animal rights-interspecies equity - is this a useful tool for exploring those issues? Maybe can put in our workshop overall, but not use in the 20 mins?