Walking on my way, heard someone say...(The Sweet Inspirations)

Number four in Ann McMullan's critical skills is...

4 Evidence-Based Thinking.

According to McMullan, "using concrete evidence, based on reliable data and findings, is critical to building... skills in students". 

This one is self evident in theory - yes students must communicate their positions on issues based on sound data, facts, and sound logic - but in the real world students are lazy and, well, it's easier to ask a mate or go to google (and then probably wikipedia) for their info.

In other words, their searches tend to be shallow.

I'm no different. My music blog often opts for wikipedia 'research' on songs/artists that I'm writing about because it's quick and easy.

Ann recommends that we use words that encourage critical thinking such as “Confirm”, “Criticize” “Demonstrate” “Question” “Analyze” and “Interpret” in order to give our students the opportunities to develop patterns of evidence based thinking.

On one level, I don't think those global umbrella terms actually get to the core issue though: saying "analyse Ken Kesey's style" doesn't automatically lead to deeper solid evidence based thinking. 

Asking five 'why?' questions might result in a better focus on evidence.

Although, I do like 'demonstrate' as a verb as in, "demonstrate why you think that about Ken Kesey's style".

Anything that leads to a deeper response, though, well - it's alright with me!