You can’t solve a problem you don’t understand. The first step in critical thinking is framing a problem, which means understanding exactly what it is you’re trying to solve. More than anything else, this requires you to develop the ability to ask good questions. When confronted with a problem, the initial reaction is usually to just start solving the problem, but the most effective action is to start asking questions about the problem.

So, as our first discussion topic this week, I want you to pick one of three problems listed below, and then come up with TWO (2) questions you would ask if it was your responsibility to solve the problem and post your questions in the discussion, along with an explanation of why you’d ask those questions. You don’t need to do reading or research for this topic, I just want you to think about questions you would want to have answered, post those questions, and explain your reasons for asking them.

• American children score lower on standardized tests compared to children in other industrialized nations.
• An increasing number of parents refuse to have their children vaccinated against the measles and pertussis (whooping cough).
• You desperately need to win a hot dog eating contest, which means eating at least 28 hot dogs (with buns) in 10 minutes.