Being Critical

One of the things we often talk about as teachers is encouraging critical thinking in our students.  This is seen as something positive.  Unfortunately in some schools critical thinking among teachers is not so highly valued - it is seen as something negative and detrimental.

Being critical means expressing, analysing or assessing the merits and faults of something.  It involves evaluation and when you critique something it is usually as a way of moving forward or making something better.  It always involves asking tough questions, being reflective and communicating openly.  How can any of these be detrimental to a learning community that is striving for continuous improvement?

Photo Credit:  Questions by Oberazzi