The development of critical thinking – a basis for creating intellectual skills in students

In the article is revealed how the application of certain methods for solving problems (basically analysis and synthesis) creates prerequisites for the development of critical thinking, which significantly helps to create intellectual skills and creativity in students – future teachers in mathematics.

Psychologists have found that solving a problem in several ways is more beneficial than solving several stereotypical problems in series. Discussing different ways of solving a problem by the students, their ability to choose the most rational one is a proof that they think, make reasonings and draw the right conclusions. Discovering different ways to solve a problem allows the students to apply the whole arsenal of mathematical knowledge, i.e. to activate their thinking. Тhis instills flexibility of thought in them and leads to developing their intellectual skills. We should note that rational ways of solving problems do not come by themselves. Students need to be taught this skill, and one way to achieve this is to offer them problems that allow different ways of solutions, and students have to choose the most rational one, which means that they think critically.

The students involved in active participation in the lesson have an immeasurably greater chance to develop critical thinking skills. Critical thinking helps to gain a deeper understanding of both the conditions of the problem and the awareness of possible ideas for achieving the goal.

In the article summarize that the problem of developing critical thinking in students has its special significance for the interaction between knowledge and practice, which leads on the one hand to increase the efficiency of the educational process, and on the other hand, to positive results, both in the education of students and in the stimulation of their intellectual development