Critical Thinking

Part A - Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is a process of which is disciplined, rationalized which attempts to make the thought process in a rationalized manner, free of any form of bias. Various scholars have given different definitions to critical thinking as this has been in vogue for quite some time since the ages. Critical thinking happens in personal life, work life and for students in particular. While at work critical thinking is important while making decisions. The decision making process becomes an informed on when critical thinking. The same applies for a student while studying for his course. Any thinking has to be at an analytical level and such analysis has to be based upon facts. Such a level of thinking should also be at rationale levels and logical in nature. Constructive thoughts that are analytical, rationale and logical in nature can lead to critical thinking. The criticality of the thinking has to be on a constructive nature and certainly not in a destructive nature. The critical nature of the subject matter in the course of the thinking process should be seen through it in a holistic nature that is to say with a 360 degree perspective of the subject. Critical thinking is a very simple form of thinking where one has to apply the mind towards the subject matter with an openness in order to see and face the 360 degree perspective of the subject matter.

Part B - Why ICT professionals should be critical thinkers

Any professional should be critical thinker where possible; however an Information and Communication Technology professional should be a critical thinker since proper communication is the key to any business. Communication technology professionals should think about all needs of communication and information flow within an organization as well as to and from an organization. An ICT professional should be able to be an analytical thinker so that the communication and information network across the organization is made up in such a way that there are no hiccups in the communication and information flow process pattern. The importance of critical thinking would reflect upon the quality of communication and information flow in an organization. Critical thinking can radicalize the way an organization communicates and uses information for the overall betterment of the organization.  Critical thinking is essential for ICT professionals as it creates –

1. Better and well thought of and well laid communication network and information flow pattern for the organization
2. It helps create informed decisions when there is better communication network and information flow.
3. It helps in cutting costs when deployed as a well thought of and well laid communication network and information flow pattern for the organization.

ICT professionals play a major role especially in large companies which may operate in more than one nation, not to mention that smaller companies can also benefit from the critical thinking of ICT professionals.

SWOT Analysis of Self in relation to presentation skills

The main focal point in the weakness section can be that of being a good listener. The other weakness of not being a good public speak can be overcome by conducting lot of presentations whenever possible. However the second trait mentioned in the weakness section is a habit of sorts for self and many people around. Being a good listener is an important aspect for being a good presenter. One has to listen to understand and then reply and not just listen to reply. To be a good listener, a) one must practice listening, whether it is in class or during social occasions or rather whenever the opportunity is available. b) To be a good listener make eye contact with person talking to you and do not interrupt the person. Allow him/her to complete the point being made. While conversing listening has to be formed as a habit to be followed. Such a habit has to be developed by one’s own conscious efforts and such listening skills are better acquired thus, rather than trying to get oneself trained in listening skills. Very few people would want to attend a training class on listening as it is a skill that has to be sharpened by practice than being learnt in a class room or training room environment. Being a good listener always pays while making presentations, especially in relevance to ICT professionals. By being a good listener one can also find the nuances in getting feedback from concerned people. In the case of the ICT professional all employees in the organization he/she serves are their internal customers and they are the very reason the ICT professional is kept engaged in his/her services. Hence while presentations, however important presentation it is or otherwise getting feedback through listening makes a world of difference to the ICT professional. By getting such feedback through the listening process during presentations the ICT professional adds value to self. Hence a quality practice of listening has to be engaged by any ICT professional.

Reflective writing – Social media (facebook)

Though I am a user of social media, mostly facebook I do it mostly due to social compulsions and not for the heck of it. Last month a devastating flooding occurred in our city which submerged major sections of residential areas of the city and adding to the woes of water logging was loss of basic communication facility among the residents of our city. This loss of basic communication facility was not only within the city but all communication from all other parts of the world including the immediate neighbouring places as well. This flooding lasted for almost a week and a family friend who is stays in our vicinity was stuck somewhere in the other part of our country on work related travel and he could not connect with his family at home consisting of an ailing father, wife and a small girl child. But for the net connectivity availability and the use of facebook during this period he was able to get in touch with some help from me and get connected to his family using facebook.

During the initial days of the flooding I could see his frantic facebook posts asking about the safety about his family. Providentially within two days a rescue boat came to our apartment and I jumped into it and requested the rescue personnel to take me to my family friend’s house. I met them in their 3rd floor house and enquired about their well being, they were doing good and conveyed their messages to each other. All these days I gave him regular facebook updates about his family on a daily basis which was a very reassuring thing for him and his family.