CONFERENCE-STYLE LEARNING - A METHOD FOR FOSTERING CRITICAL THINKING WITH HEART

Conference teaching fosters critical thinking, which we define as the ability to evaluate inferential networks and research designs, the con fidence to listen to one's own intuitions about what matters, and the sensitivity to recognize and evaluate the goals of others from diverse backgrounds. Teachers contribute to conference-style teaming by expla ining expectations for classroom behavior, carefully choosing primary source readings, and molding class discussions by posing and respondin g to questions in strategic ways. To benefit from conference-style lea rning, students must read assigned materials carefully, practice formu lating analytic questions, think aloud about challenging issues, and l earn to respect their own intuitions and those of others. The benefits of conference-style learning far outweigh its potential risks, as stu dents kam co practice critical but considerate thinking.