Synergizing Critical Thinking with Systems Thinking in Professional Communication

Abstract

Critical thinking has been explicitly taught in the context of communication skills by the Centre for Professional Communication (CPC) at SIT. The Paul-Elder Framework for Critical Thinking is the main framework used by CPC to structure and prompt students to think critically as they communicate their ideas or receive ideas from others. That said, the Paul-Elder Framework has its limitations, particularly in developing a nuanced understanding to address complex, interdisciplinary real-world problems. Systems thinking complements the Paul-Elder Framework by increasing students’ problem-solving skills in tackling complex issues at the workplace. Our project will integrate critical thinking with systems thinking specifically to prepare students for their team proposal, a professional communication task that entails the identification of a potential real-world problem contextualized in students’ disciplinary field, and a solution that best addresses or mitigates the problem. We use an action research approach to stay nimble and flexible to feedback from student and teaching stakeholders in integrating critical thinking with systems thinking as students prepare for their team projects.