Re: Dean Groom's post - I critically think therefore I’m confused

Groom’s 28/4 blog post led to some pondering. My take is that too often we educators get caught up in teaching and learning trivia (eg decisions involving which content, which device, which system) and that these masquerade as major decisions leaving us hamstrung, unable to make decisions that are worth spending time on to work out (what will help learners to survive in an increasingly complex world and how do we fit into this picture). In working out the ‘real’ decisions such as these we may see how we can help learners to be able to discern which decisions are weighty and so should be allocated resources such as time and critical thinking skills (not to mention paralysis from cognitive dissonance) and which decisions can be deemed insignificant and so should be treated accordingly. Discerning decision-making (meta decision-making?) – what is the importance of making this decision.
BTW the best example of both critical thinking development AND student commenting I have seen is a demonstration of digiCircles by Rosalie Everest and 15 Year 12 students at eLearning Innovation Expo Brisbane 2009. The demonstration showed a combination in the classroom of physical and virtual learning spaces allowing processes that help to build students confidence in expressing views whilst ensuring participation of all students in the class. Benefits shown: promotion of independent thinking; development of student’s own voice about text; encouragement of deeper, broader thinking; sharing the knowledge and insight.