Explain at least five elements of critical thinking that you found in the reading material.

Identification – “identify the situation or problem as well as the factors that may influence it.” Erstad (2018).
Research – “The best way to combat this is independent verification; find the source of the information and evaluate.” Erstad (2018).
Identifying Biases – “Strong critical thinkers do their best to evaluate information objectively.” Erstad (2018).
Inference – “The ability to infer and draw conclusions based on the information presented to you is another important skill for mastering critical thinking.” Erstad (2018).
Determining Relevance – “figuring out what information is the most important for your consideration.” Erstad (2018).
 

Looking for facts without prejudice
Can decipher between facts and options
Can change their thoughts or options based on new facts they get
Leave emotions out of it
Make sure that views are supported with facts
 

◦ Search the Internet, media, or the Ashford University Library, and find an example in which good critical thinking skills are being demonstrated by the author or speaker. Summarize the content, and explain why you think it demonstrates good critical thinking skills.

Taking A Global Look At Water Shortage.
This Arthur and article breaks down the use of our water and where it goes. I found it interesting that Brauman and her team explored the amounts of water we waste that goes down the drain and the water used to irrigate crops. “So in our analysis, we decided to count all the water that doesn’t flow downstream, called water consumption. Consumed water isn’t gone, but it’s not around for us to use again on this turn of the water cycle.” Brauman (2016). I think what made me look at this was the fact that the consumed water was not gone but it couldn’t be used again like waste water which goes to a plant to be clean and released back into the streams and rivers it taken from.  I feel looking at where the water goes vice saying we are in a water crisis but the areas that say that they are in a crisis don’t need the water is a waste.
 

Search the Internet, media, or the Ashford University Library, and find an example in which the author or speaker lacks good critical thinking skills. Summarize the content, and explain why you think it demonstrates the absence of good, critical thinking skills.
 

Global Water Crisis: Facts, Faqs, And How To Help.
“Pray (Links to an external site.)
Links to an external site.
: Ask God to pour his blessings out on families in need of clean water.
Give (Links to an external site.)
Links to an external site.
: Help provide clean water for children and families.
Run or walk (Links to an external site.)
Links to an external site.
 in the Global 6K for Water May 19 to bring clean water to children around the world, or make a long-term commitment to join Team World Vision (Links to an external site.)
Links to an external site.
 in the race to bring clean water and the opportunity for fullness of life to children around the world.” Global water crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help. (2018).
What caught my eye about this article and why I feel it was a lack of critical thinking the above are great ideas but they really wont help with the water shortage globally. Praying, giving and a run or walk may help but this is not how the global water shortage will get fixed by no means. I think the author could have done more research to find better options to help fix this crisis.
 

Reference:
Bailin, S., Case, R., Coombs, J. R., & Daniels, L. B. (1999). Common misconceptions of critical thinking. Journal of Curriculum Studies, 31(3), 269-283. doi:10.1080/002202799183124
Brauman, K. (2016, June 06). Taking a Closer Look at Global Water Shortages. Retrieved from https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/global-water-shortages-180959318/ (Links to an external site.)
Links to an external site.
 

Erstad, W. (2018, January 22). 6 critical thinking skills you need to master now (Links to an external site.)Links to an external site. (Links to an external site.)
Links to an external site.
. Retrieved from http://www.rasmussen.edu/student-life/blogs/main/critical-thinking-skills-you-need-to-master-now/
Global water crisis: Facts, FAQs, and how to help. (2018, September 18). Retrieved from https://www.worldvision.org/clean-water-news-stories/global-water-crisis-facts (Links to an external site.)