Smart Thinking

Thinking critically and smartly is very essential in solving problems in a smart manner. Beliefs and statements need facts and evidence to evaluate them. 

Reasoning is the core of smart thinking and it helps to be rational and reasons are backed by the evidences.

Arguments

Arguments is a set of statements or propositions that provide evidence, justification or reason to support a particular claim. Purpose of having an argument is to prove a particular point of view.

An argument consists of two components called premises and conclusion. Premises are the statements that provide reasons to accept the conclusion, while the conclusion is the statement that the premises are supported. The process of reasoning premises to a conclusion is called inference. For this purpose identifying arguments and non arguments is very important.

The words such as because, given that, seen that, as, since, being that, assuming that, for for the reason that and as indicated by indicates the premises while the words such as therefore, thus, so, hence, as a result, it follows that, it must  be that, consequently and ergo indicates conclusions.

How to identify claims and arguments? 

Arguments Vs. Explanation

Arguments gives the facts to believe something in the case. An explanation tells why or how something happens, there is nothing to prove in an explanation. Explanation may be a part of an argument.

Providing reasons combine all  these things.

How attitudes influence to think critically.

Our knowledge usually consist of the facts or basic information and the broader ideas that we use to interpret those facts. In order to take smart decisions the attitude an individual is holding to a certain case matters. Also the opinion of the society is also needed to be considered when solving a problem logically. It is possible to find out these attitudes and opinions by asking right questions from ourselves and the society as well.

How to practice Critical thinking?

Always take the opportunity to solve a problem following the below given steps.

• Identify the problem
• Analyze the problem from several perspectives
• Develop a few possible solutions 
• Decide which solution is the best fit
• Take action

Group Activity

Discuss the benefits and the limitations of the concept" Nearest School is the best school".

Our team consist of six members and all our opinion was that this concept " Nearest school is the best school", has both pros and cons due to the poor infrastructure of the education system in Sri Lanka. The main reason for the students in the village to move to a school in the city is that they lack of facilities which is essential for their studies and inefficient amount of facilities to develop their skills such as sports and aesthetic activities.

Due to the above reasons a need has been created to move the students in the village schools to the schools in the town and this has created a huge competition among the students so that they have lost their childhood.

With the rise of this concept the government has focused on developing the infrastructure facilities in schools all around Sri Lanka so that all the students can find a chance to develop themselves staying in those schools.

So, finally we concluded that implementation of this project can bring lots of benefits for all students and other community.