Step #1: Goal Midshipmen should be analytical thinkers.
Note: “Analysis” has different meanings in
different disciplines. What one discipline calls “solving a problem” may mean
(formulating and) finding support for a thesis in a text, (making and) testing
a hypothesis in a laboratory, (designing and) using equipment to perform a
particular function, (discovering and) proving a theorem, or many other
activities in many other contexts.
1.
Midshipmen
identify useful information.
2.
Midshipmen
organize information cogently.
3.
Midshipmen
apply information sensibly.
4.
Midshipmen
draw logical conclusions.
5.
Midshipmen
generate reasonable ideas.
6.
Midshipmen
select solutions based on reasoned evaluation of alternatives.
1. Midshipmen identify useful information.
a.
… observe
accurately, collect data, or identify facts.
b.
... recognize
patterns.
c.
... identify
concepts, objectives, issues, or themes.
2. Midshipmen
organize information cogently.
a.
...
distinguish between unknown and known quantities, between inferences and data,
between conclusions and assumptions, or between theses and supporting material.
b.
...
accurately describe relationships.
c.
... identify
reasonable outcomes or conclusions.
3. Midshipmen
apply information sensibly.
a.
... determine
appropriate assumptions or models.
b.
... identify
relevant information from a variety of sources.
c.
... use
appropriate tools, techniques, and models.
d.
... apply
knowledge and experience to practical situations.
4. Midshipmen draw logical conclusions.
a.
... explain
logical connections between inferences and data, between conclusions and assumptions,
or between theses and supporting material.
b.
...
articulate expected results or conclusions.
c.
... justify
or defend their conclusions.
d.
... compare
their conclusions with expectations.
5. Midshipmen
generate reasonable ideas.
a.
... make
appropriate generalizations.
b.
... design
and execute projects or experiments.
c.
... formulate
and test hypotheses.
d.
... formulate
theses and organize supporting material.
e.
... identify
and solve problems.
6. Midshipmen select solutions based on reasoned evaluation
of alternatives.
a.
... compare
different ideas, analyses, solution techniques, or theses.
b.
... identify
bias, subjectivity, and the effects of different values.
c.
... recognize
how different assumptions, theories, models, or organizing principles affect
conclusions or outcomes.
d.
... evaluate
different approaches based on reasoned argument.
(This is heavily discipline-specific. Each
department should decide what to include here.)
Practices: (An example of what might be specified for an engineering
discipline.)
1.
Assignments,
projects, and papers require midshipmen to…
a.
observe,
collect, and identify information.
b.
organize
information, distinguish between situations, and describe relationships.
c.
apply
information.
2. Assignments, projects, and papers requires
midshipmen to…
a.
explain
connections, compare conclusions with expectations, and justify conclusions.
b.
design
experiments and formulate and test hypotheses.
c.
compare
and evaluate solutions.
3. Presentations in which midshipmen are required
to…
a.
summarize the
results of analysis.
b.
think
analytically on their feet.
4. Capstone projects requiring synthesis of ideas
from several courses.
1. Some externally normed standard exam (such as Watson-Glaser) should be administered during plebe summer or early in the plebe year.
2. Each major program should assess (some of) its
majors in an appropriate introductory course during their youngster year.
Results should be reported using a suitable version of our analytical thinking
rubric.
3. First class midshipmen should repeat the
Watson-Glaser (or equivalent) exam, perhaps in NS40X.
4. Each major program should assess (some of) its majors in a capstone
or similar course during their first class year. Results should be reported
using a suitable version of our analytical thinking rubric.