Why should we integrate critical thinking into the mathematics classroom and how can we do this? This is the all important question that we as mathematics teachers should be asking ourselves as we enter the classroom. We want to make math fun and exciting for all of our students and we want them to be able to apply it to their own lives. We want them to be able to explore mathematics in a way which will excite them and challenge them. We want to instill upon them the passion that we share for mathematics.

Why should we integrate critical thinking into the mathematics classroom? Many students go through high school wondering why math is important, and what can I do with it? Many students dislike math and want to avoid it at all costs. What can we as teachers do to help students realize the importance of mathematics in the real world? This is the big question that we as math teachers will face when we get into the classroom. How can we begin to embark upon this task? It all starts with critical thinking. Not only is critical thinking important to all disciplines, but it is especially important in mathematics. Sure we can give students definitions, postulates and theorems and we can teach them how to use them, but the big obstacle is do they understand where they came from, and how they are developed? Anyone can use a formula to find an angle, or a distance, but do they know why the formula works, and could they develop the formula for themselves if it wasn’t given to them? We need to get students to question the information that we are presenting to them, we need them to ask how this works and why it works? These are some of the big questions in critical thinking. Only when the students examine these questions with guidance from the teacher, can they begin to understand the underlying concepts of mathematics and begin to apply them. This is the biggest problem with mathematics today. We teach students how to use a formula, but what we don’t teach them is how to mold mathematics to fit their life. When students can understand why we use a specific model to solve a problem, and why that model works, then and only then can they begin to apply mathematics to their life. If we can do this, we can get students to begin to understand the fascinations about mathematics, and we can make math fun and interesting for them.

How can we integrate critical thinking into the mathematics classroom? The important thing is to avoid reverting to a teaching style that is one-directional that is, feeding information to the students, and telling them how to use it. This is the biggest obstacle, especially in mathematics. Most traditional mathematics classes are those where the students are passive, and sit and take notes. There is little interaction, and it becomes especially difficult for students to retain information and apply it. As mathematics teachers we must introduce the idea of questioning in our classrooms. When we present a specific theorem to our students, say the Pythagorean Theorem, ask them why they think Pythagoras might have done a specific step in the proof of the theorem, and what was he trying to accomplish? Introduce a little history into the lesson, and facilitate a discussion that will encourage them to ask questions to get them involved. Student’s will be able to start making their own conclusions about mathematics, and start thinking in a logically way. At this point they will be able to start seeing applications for themselves, and not relying on the teacher to apply the material for them. Their active involvement reinforces the concepts of critical thinking, and contributes to their never-ending quest to be independent learners.

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