Theories of Critical Thinking- Joseph Myricks

 In the fast-paced world of education, it's super important to get a handle on how our students, coworkers, and even our classmates interact with technology and information. This isn't just random; it's heavily shaped by some cool theories like Deep Learning, Bloom's Taxonomy, the Diffusion of Innovations, and those distinct Types of Adopters (the innovators, early adopters, etc.). As we bring more tech into our classrooms and really push for strong digital and information literacy, these frameworks offer some awesome insights into how people pick up new things, how they learn, and what teaching methods really click.

Think about what Fullan and Langworthy say in "A Rich Seam" about new ways of teaching that encourage deep learning. This totally gels with Bloom's Taxonomy, especially those higher-level thinking skills like analyzing, synthesizing, and evaluating that Huitt talks about. When we throw in technology like those collaborative online platforms or cool data visualization tools, it can really help us get to that deeper learning. But here's the kicker: not everyone jumps on board at the same time. This is where Rogers' Diffusion of Innovations theory comes in handy. You'll see the innovators eagerly trying out the latest educational tech, followed by the early adopters who see the potential. For instance, that coworker who's already messing around with AI-powered feedback tools? They're probably an innovator. Then, your classmate who tries it out after seeing how well it works for them? That's an early adopter.

The real challenge is getting the majority, the early and late majority, to embrace these new ideas. Often, it means showing them the clear benefits, giving them good training, and creating a supportive vibe. Hobbs's work on boosting digital and media literacy is key here. It's not just about knowing how to use a tool; it's about being able to critically look at information, create responsibility for staff, and understand the ethical side of technology. For those in the late majority, worries about privacy or whether online sources are trustworthy can be big roadblocks. And then there are the traditionalists, who might just say "no thanks" to new tech altogether, preferring the old ways. To get everyone on board, we need to address their concerns head-on and show them how digital literacy directly helps them in their studies or work right now.  When we understand how all these theories fit together, we can introduce and use technology in a smart way, making sure it truly boosts learning and builds those essential digital and information literacy skills for everyone.