@Sanaa
That's a great practice—giving open-ended problems and asking for justification is a powerful way to build critical thinking!
To nurture critical thinking, I believe students must go beyond simply arriving at the "right answer." That’s why I regularly give open-ended problems and ask students to justify their answers or solutions. This encourages them to analyze, reason, and reflect—key elements of critical thinking.
@Sanaa
I begin by explaining why we use sources—not to replace our thinking, but to support, expand, or challenge it. I stress that sources add credibility and depth, but the student’s own voice and analysis are central.
I show examples where writers or speakers blend outside information with personal insight. We analyze how effective writers introduce a source, comment on it, and connect it to their argument—rather than simply quoting and moving on.
That's a great approach! Encouraging students to explain and justify their reasoning really strengthens their analytical skills.
To develop critical thinking in my students, I also:
Encourage questioning – I create a safe space where students feel comfortable asking “why” and “how.”
Use real-life scenarios – I bring in situations that require evaluation and decision-making beyond textbook knowledge.
Promote peer discussion – Group activities and debates help students see different perspectives.
Model critical thinking – I think aloud during problem-solving so students can observe how reasoning works in action.
Reflective exercises – I ask students to reflect on their learning process and consider what worked, what didn’t, and why.
Absolutely right 
I use real-life scenarios and case studies, prompting students to analyze situations and propose thoughtful solutions
@Sanaa I encourage classroom debates where students must support their opinions with evidence and logical reasoning.
I ask "why" and "how" questions during lessons to push students beyond surface-level answers.
Group projects are a great tool—I assign roles that require analysis, decision-making, and collaboration.
Rachel
I use reflective journaling to help students evaluate their learning and thought processes regularly.
Shaen
Students engage in peer reviews where they critique each other’s work constructively, sharpening analytical skills.
I present problems with no single correct answer to promote exploration of multiple perspectives.
@Sanaa I avoid spoon-feeding solutions and instead guide students with clues, promoting independent thinking.
@Shaista-Kalhoro
Great strategy! Encouraging original writing and short presentations truly boosts critical thinking and confidence.
@Mariya
Absolutely! Real-world tasks and group work really do spark deep thinking. I've found that open-ended questions and topic-based presentations often lead to the most meaningful discussions.
We can develop critical thinking among students by giving them strong foundation towards the related topic.
ZAKIA SOOMRO
@Shaista-Kalhoro That’s a great teaching method! Encouraging students to connect chemistry with real life truly builds their confidence and critical thinking skills.
@Sanaa
I believe developing critical thinking skills in students is crucial for their academic and real-world success. To foster critical thinking, I use various strategies, such as open-ended questions, case studies, debates, and problem-solving activities. By giving students complex, real-world scenarios to analyze and solve, I encourage them to think deeply, evaluate evidence, and justify their conclusions. I also promote Socratic seminars, where students engage in structured discussions, questioning, and challenging each other's ideas. Additionally, I incorporate activities that require students to identify biases, evaluate sources, and consider multiple perspectives. By providing opportunities for students to think critically, I help them develop essential skills like analysis, synthesis, and evaluation, enabling them to become independent, thoughtful, and informed learners.
@Sanaa through feedback
Noreen Naeem
@Mariya Critical thinking requires active engagement with information, including questioning assumptions, analyzing arguments, and evaluating evidence.
@Shaista-Kalhoro involves higher-order thinking skills like analysis, interpretation, and evaluation, leading to well-reasoned judgments