Perspective! CRITICAL THINKING AND INNOVATION: THE TWIN PILLARS OF 21ST CENTURY EDUCATION

JEAN JERRIC A. PACIA, Ed.D.

&ritical thinkinJ is the ability to analy]e information obMectiYely and make a reasoned MudJment ,t inYolYes the eYaluation of sources, such as data, facts, obserYable phenomena, and research findinJs ,n schools, critical thinkinJ helps students to deYelop skills like problem solYinJ, decision makinJ, and analytical abilities ,t encouraJes students to Tuestion and challenJe the status Tuo, rather than accept inJ information at face Yalue

&ritical thinkinJ in the classroom could inYolYe discussions, debates, and problem based learninJ ,t helps students to not Must remember information, but to understand it, apply it, analy]e it, and eYaluate it 7his not only enhances their learninJ e[perience but also prepares them for real world situations

2n the other hand, innoYation in schools refers to the introduction of new ideas, methods, or products to enhance learninJ 7his could be in the form of innoYatiYe teachinJ methods, use of technol oJy in the classroom, or new ways of enJaJinJ students

,nnoYation encouraJes creatiYity and out of the bo[ thinkinJ amonJ students ,t makes learninJ more interactiYe, fun, and effectiYe )or instance, the use of technoloJy like Yirtual reality, auJmented reality, or online learninJ platforms can make comple[ concepts easier to understand and more enJaJinJ for students

0oreoYer, innoYation in teachinJ methods could inYolYe e[periential learninJ, proMect based learn inJ, or flipped classrooms 7hese methods proYide hands on e[perience to students, encouraJe them to learn by doinJ, and cater to different learninJ styles

,n essence, both critical thinkinJ and innoYation are essential for fosterinJ a dynamic and effectiYe learninJ enYironment 7hey eTuip students with the skills needed to naYiJate the comple[ities of the modern world and prepare them for future challenJes 6chools that prioriti]e critical thinkinJ and innoYation are not Must educatinJ students, but they are shapinJ the problem solYers, creators, and leaders of tomorrow

o2o

7he author is +ead 7eacher ,,, at 1iJui (lementary 6chool 0asantol 6outh 'istrict