Respond critically to two of your peers’ posts, drawing on theories of critical thinking and learning. Learning Outcome:—–>Demonstrate application of the relationship between acquisition, retention and retrieval of knowledge to real-world situations Respond to two of your peers’ posts (300 words per response) PS: (max 300words required response per page) Your answers must use an academic tone, be evidence-based and supported by the psychological literature, using APA referencing. Peer Response 1 Post: ——> Whilst there are competing definitions of Critical Thinking (Hitchcock,2020) it can be defined as simply evaluating information rather than accepting it (Bernstein,2015).Skills such as self-reflection, decision-making and problem-solving encompass this evaluation process. It is important to not accept information without critical thought, but to look at exploring the worlds of meaning within information (Halpern,1998).Technology encompasses an ever-evolving array of practical solution-based products that change and manipulate the world around us with the aim of using scientific knowledge to improve human life (Brittanica,2021). The Neuroplasticity of the brain is key to understanding the impacts of technology on our thought processes. Connections grow and change as we are exposed to repeated tasks or environmental stimulus, the meaningful connections created impact our present and future thought processes including critical thought. Thus, it is important to analyze the technology used, its purpose, the benefits of its design and outcome for the human brain. In one study it was shown that in only five days of internet usage for one hour a day created changes in the prefrontal cortex of non-internet users (Small & Vaughan,2008) Whilst this doesn’t show a positive or negative correlation, it shows the plasticity of the brain and its ability to change in a relatively short amount of time. Many studies have shown a positive correlation between technology usage and critical thought improvements. However, this depends on the type of technology, how it is used and the design purpose. For instance, whilst computer-based learning games such as digital storytelling games can improve critical thinking in the areas of decision making (Chen & Chueng,2020) these games are designed with the purpose of enhancing critical thought by posing questions and prompting logical thinking. However, we are at the mercy of the designer and are trapped in a world of information they have created. It has been shown that if technology is overused in a classroom environment it can impede a student’s critical thinking skills, it’s important it is not one size fits all and that teachers do not become over-reliant on technology, impeding discussion necessary for making meaningful connections (Bower & Sturman,2015). Whilst technology has the ability to benefit critical thinking, in well designed, well lead educational or workplace programs, the distraction and switch costs of using the internet and social media in our downtime for instance have been shown to impact attention and self regulation, especially if one is searching mindlessly with no end goal (Carr,2010). The concern is that misinformation is absorbed as fact and the ability to focus attention is negatively impacted. In conclusion, technology has a powerful effect on our brains which can impact critical thought in a positive or negative way. It is how the technology is used to reach our goals, the design quality and the motivations of individuals using it that impacts the result. In this rapidly evolving information age, we need to not sleepwalk alongside technology, but harness its exceptional qualities to improve human life and thought. Peer Response 2:———> The application of modern technology continues to play a vital role in every domain of a person’s life. It has redefined living as well as served as an aid to assist an individual in critically processing and understanding the world around them with ease and efficiency. This discussion will provide evidence in support of how modern technology can improve an individual’s critical thinking skills. Halpern (1998) elaborates that critical thinking skills are also known as higher order thinking as higher order thinking requires an individual to analyse, apply, evaluate, and think in a creative manner. This level of thinking goes beyond observing and memorising information as problem solving and decision making are closely related to critical thinking. Modern technology allows for a different level of interaction as a significant amount of processing has already been done, allowing for individuals to do more focused analysis on a variety of simplified information from a number of domains, which allows for divergent thinking when seeking solutions in numerous challenges (Bernstein, 2016). Furthermore, technology can also assist by filtering large amounts of data sets, and thus assist an individual in applying their creative and critical thinking skills in a goal orientated manner. It is one thing to apply critical thinking to tasks and situations that are familiar to the individual, but quite another to apply it to tasks and situations that are unfamiliar. Bernstein (2016) elaborates on this as humans tend to be bias when making decisions, especially ones that require more mental effort. Technology-rich environments allows for metacognitive skills to be used as individuals often evaluate information through their own biases, while seeking guidance in their decision-making process. Technology allows for individuals to get exposure to alternative points of view while analysing the possible outcomes as technology will eliminate the biases an individual holds. Cognitive scientists confirm that individuals are able to grasp complex concepts with greater ease when information being presented or explained to them are done using a range of multimodalities. Modern technology in the form of the internet and computing devices can bring these to life with the assistance of graphics, video, and audio simulation. These additional stimuli will trigger cognitive skills in individuals such as working memory, visual and audio reasoning skills, as individuals gaining more knowledge through the use of various aspects of modern technology (Marczak, 2019). In a learning society, individuals are constantly challenged in new ways of thinking and applying knowledge through the use of new technology (Hofmeister, 1984). It is a key aspect of the fourth industrial revolution that traditional occupations where analytical thinking was required, will soon be done by artificial intelligence, which does all the processing and decision making. This new era brings more focus to the creative analysis and thinking, which technology still significantly lacks but allows room for individuals to think in more elaborative and creative ways (Etzioni & Etzioni, 2017). In conclusion, modern technology makes everyday life simpler and less time consuming which allows for individuals to think critically and creatively as they go about their daily lives. Technology improves an individual’s critical evaluating skills as technology aids an individual to comprehend daily challenges with ease, allows for their ability to reason, problem solve and make decisions that much easier.
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