What is actually critical thinking?

VBS held a debate on 28th November at the school theatre to give out the best answer.

The debate was moderated by Mr Zhou Ming from Phoenix TV.

 Critical thinking: Precise knowledge, reflective awareness and independent characters

Is your child addicted to phones and gadgets?

Is your child's study negatively related to the time he/she uses electronic devices?

Have your ever quarrelled with your child on using electronic gadgets?

In most schools, students are disallowed to possess electronic devices such as phones and gadgets. Yet VBS brought up this sensitive issue in front of parents and students in the form of debate. 

Based on 'Let the students experience the future' philosophy, VBS combines online and offline curriculum and network-based studies to create a conducive learning environment for the future and nurture their ability to do independent studies and lifelong learning.

As this pattern proceeds, the school encounters the issue mentioned above. The issue on whether students exercise self-control upon learning via iPads catches the attention of teachers and parents. Some have demonstrated inability to focus on studies which troubles parents. 

How should students and parents tackle these issues?

Several students came to Principal Yang to explain their which caught Principal's attention. As she came to know that parents and students had worries on this issue, she decided to hold an open and equal debate to solve this in VBS way.

Hence this debate themed 'Does the cons outweigh the pros in using electronic products to complement studies for Secondary School students' was set up.

Students had something to say, but parents ought to express their opinions.

Guided by teachers, students conducted interviews and investigations on the issue to prepare for this debate. Ms Monna Sun set up workshops for parents and students for the rules. Both students and parents spent two weeks for this debate well. 

Who was having the upper hand?

This debate started with the opening by Liu Meilin's parent who explained the harms electronic gadgets could bring to students, 'Can students study and play ipad at the same time? No! They will only be distracted by things outside studies so that their work is severely left behind.'

Liu Yiran from 7C countered with various benefits of electronic gadgets could bring to their users and mentioned about the shortage of IT talents in China, 'Currently China needs 150 million more IT talents, the society cannot meet the demand over the growth of IoT. There is still a long way to explore the infinite possiblities of IoT, but getting students to reasonably use electronic items can change this. Parents need not be pessimistic too much which could make students unable to experience the future.' 

As parents were impressed by the statements made by students, they pointed out the fact that celebrities did not allow their kids under 14 to use iPads and supported their claims with scientific data proving that teenagers had been impaired by the using eletronic devices in terms of falling eyesight, focus, judgement and thinking. Such claims were filled with parents' love despite being true.

As the floor was given to the audience, many parents and students actively took part in the discussion. Students in favour of parents said, 'Focus is all that matters in studies. Using electronic items just presents a way to look at the questions, but it does not offer thinking in a deeper level which will damage the initiative to study.'

Some parents supported students with statements, 'Since we expect students to experience the future, trust shall be given to them. Back in our time as students, electronic devices were demonised as well. Yet we have made it ourselves as parents, the worries back then are not relevant anymore, are they?'

The whole theatre went to the climax of arguing. When the session ended, many still craved for having a say on the issue.

Wen Sihan made her closing statements, 'Self-discipline is the ultimate target that we, as students or even adults aim to pursue. It is unwise to blame everything on using electroic devices but to research on the ways how we educate children and on self-discipline behaviour.'

8C班的温思涵

正方四辩，来自7E班车宇涵家长做了总结陈词：“今天我们在一起，为了祖国的未来，擦出了爱的火花。我们选择了万双，是因为爱，我们在这里讨论是因为爱。我们希望把我们的未来交给真正能担负起重担的一代人，也是为了爱！”  她更希望孩子们“通过自己的亲身实践和感受去主动思考，去接触真实的社会，这样才习得如何应对和解决这个社会上各种复杂的问题。”同时她也期待这样的交流没有结束，大家一起探讨更好的解决办法。”

Che Yuhan's parent also made her closing statement, 'We gather here today to discuss the wellbeing ofour students. Because of love, we send our children to VBS to be groomed for the future,' she hoped students to take initiatives to think and experience themselves by getting in touch with society so that they could understand and solve complex issues in the society. She also anticipated more similar discussions to find better solutions.

The moderator said, 'In this debate, I see the confidence and logics. Parents love their kids and wish them to conduct self-management when it comes to using electronic devices. Kids hope to seek understanding and support from their parents to have a say on certain things. They will grow up and become responsibile parents and have worries for the children of their own. But the pass of love never changes. In this debate with equality, I have learned so much as well.' 

'We do not hold this debate to have winners today,' Principal Yang said, 'the objective is to set up communication channels between parents and students so that get everyone's attention on such issues and have a say. Trying to understand and listen to one another and facilitating the construction communications among parents, students and teachers.'

Principal also said, 'It is a blessing in disguise. The purpose of training for critical thinking is to absorb opinions from other side so that we are able to gain new perspectives and have the ability to see the issues in an open, multi-facet and inclusive way. Hence we will have the peaceful mindset to see the world in the end. The future is about AI, it is not good for students to grow if we prohibit them from using electronic devices to study as we want them to experience the future. the school will organise a roundtable panel among students, parents and teachers to find solutions for the issues discuessed during this debate.'

VBS has something to say:

In modern society, we are transforming from the period of 'knowledge is power' to 'thinking is power'. Education is no longer about getting the right answers but producing someone who can think. VBS strives to develop students with academic excellence, as critical thinking is one of the key attributes to reflect students' independent thinking. 

In this debate, students have demonstrated independent thinking, good flow of logic and arguments. Each expression gains the applause from the student audience.

VBS will continue to build up effective mechanisms to develop students' independent thinking so that our students are capable of raising questions and taking up responsibilities as they have the international horizons and self-management skills.  

Author: Glora

Photographer: Linda and Che Yuhan's Father (7E)

Formatting: Judy

Translated by DC Lai