crashfrog writes:
Critical thinking is a skill you have to develop on your own. It's fundamentally incompatible with the teacher/classroom paradigm.
It seems that "Critical thinking" is being equated with skepticism, doubt, or disrespect. I disagree with this interpretation. Some skill can be taught that would foster critical thinking in High School students without causing the dilema you put forth.
Teaching the proper methods for interpretation of empirical evidence would help. What to look for in a research report or presentation that indicates that the scientific method (for want of a better phrase) has been followed.
I agree that the point where ID has been thrust into the classroom is not the place to begin "lessons in critical thinking"...too volatile. It would be better as a first year class in High School. Perhaps a class where students read "research documents", both real and bogus, then present critiques of them. As the class progresses the instructor could teach the methods for properly critiquing scientific research.
I'm sure there are plenty of bogus "research" documents out there dealing with anything from ghosts to dousing that don't require stepping on anyone's religious toes.
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