How would you like to study at an American university in China? With
the news that New York University (NYU) is considering setting up a
branch(分校)on Chinese mainland, the possibility of
getting an American education becomes a reality. But how will Chinese students
deal with a very different style of teaching? One that encourages
debate(辩论), discussion and critical thinking
(批判思维); one which puts
little attention on rote learning.
You know how kids ask questions all the time? Asking questions shows
they are curious (好奇). So when does that natural
curiosity get weak? Not at kindergarten or nursery, nor at primary school. As
you grow older perhaps refusing to draw attention to yourself by asking the
teacher questions, you grow quiet. If so, that's a pity, because questioning
your teachers should be encouraged. After all, they're the ones who've been
educated, have a lot more experience than you and perhaps have a little wisdom.
When I taught joumalim at college in Scotland I enjoyed answering students'
questions. Some of them raised difficult questions. I didn't always know the
answers. If I didn't, I'd accept it and try to find out later.
At university we were encouraged to challenge our classmates and
teachers. There was often a regular meeting between teachers and some students.
A student would prepare a paper on a subject and the other students would
criticize it. It could be frightening. But it was a way of developing critical
thinking.
We need to differentiate critical thinking with loudmouths. We've all
come across loudmouths who speak out quickly as if they knew what they were
talking about. I know one loudmouth who is paid a great deal of money by a
British tabloid newspaper to entertain readers with his deeply-held
prejudices(偏见). You might not agree with
columnist(专栏作家) Richard Littlejohn, but you have to
say that he is entertaining and there is an internal
logic(内在的逻辑)to his statements. Having a logical mind
can help develop critical thinking.
My wife doesn't have a logical mind, but she does have emotional
intelligence(情商). I can't say that I have anything
like her emotional intelligence. but I'd like to think some of it rubbed off
on me. If you can't at least try to put yourself in someone else's shoes,
how can you understand their situation, their problems and issues?
So try to develop your powers of critical thinking. Start with books,
films, music and newspapers. And don't believe everything you read or see. Think
independently