Create and maintain a basic weblog/Critical analysis

Once you get into the swing of writing in a public space, you will gain confidence about expressing yourself. It is another step then to jump into some discussion about topics and ideas which are important to you and the wider context in which you operate. To write critically you have to put yourself on the line to a certain extent and express your thoughts and opinions about things.

You can't just sit on the fence!

When writing critically you need to say why you did something or thought something or felt discombobulated about an event. That is what "pushed your buttons" and why. Basically when using critical analysis you are evaluating or critiquing a situation, and demonstrating reasoning and how you have arrived at your ideas and thoughts. You will also get some insights about what you are learning. See if you can spot the use of critical analysis in the following example.

An example of critical analysis
The following is an excerpt from Organizing chaos by sarah Stewart.

Chaos is good

We are only into our third week but what is fascinating me at the moment is how students are organizing themselves in terms of how they will communicate to support each other and share resources. As a student in courses such as this, I have found that it takes me a few weeks to work out what best suits me as a communication tool and who I like to work with.

The students of this course are currently going though the same process. It is looking chaotic at the moment and feels quite painful – I feel like a parent to the toddler who is learning to walk and keeps falling over – I want to take the pain away. I know that the students will eventually learn how to walk but have to go through the ‘falling over’ process first. So the lesson I am learning about facilitating in this context is that it is my job to guide students and provide access to tools and resources; not to restrict them but to let them get on and organize themselves. But I find it really hard not to interfere :)

Some terms you might like to explore are:
 * Critical thinking;
 * Critical reflection.