The oldest running critical thinking conference in the world returns this summer to Sonoma State University, July 31-Aug. 3, 1999. Teaching for Critical Thinking: Exploring the Dimensions, the 19th Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking and Educational Reform began in 1980 as a conference mainly for philosophers. It evolved into a conference that draws presentations from a wide variety of disciplines and professions.
"The reason is simple," said Dr. Linda Elder, the president of the Foundation for Critical Thinking, "the quality of our thinking determines the quality of what we do, irrespective of what we are doing. So if we think poorly as a parent, for example, we parent poorly. As a result, critical thinking which teaches you how to think at the highest level of which you are capable---is relevant to every task that involves human thinking."
The conference is designed to incorporate both "think tanks" and individual presentations. The first three days, registrants choose between think tanks. All think tanks are participant-centered and activity-oriented. "Each think tank will be led by an expert with extensive experience in the teaching of critical thinking," says Elder. The think tanks are designed with specific ends in view: how to teach students to think at a higher level.
On the fourth day, registrants select from a large array of concurrent sessions. Proposals generated by teaching faculty around the country, and from various countries around the world, are scheduled.
The conference keynote address is delivered by Dr. Richard Paul, whose authorship of more than 200 articles and 6 books on critical thinking makes him an authority in the field.
Other key think tank leaders are Dr. Linda Elder, expert on critical thinking across the disciplines, Dr. Gerald Nosich, expert on critical thinking in science and the humanities, Ms. Penny Heaslip, R.N, M.S., and Mr. John Trepasso, B.A., a master teacher in critical thinking.
For more information, contact Kay Sorensen or Linda Elder, (707) 664-2940.
