About the Conference

Why Critical Thinking Is the Most Important Skill of the 21st Century to Growth Mindset
by Dr Roy van den Brink-Budgen

In recent years, critical thinking has always been significantly placed in the list of important skills needed for success in learning, work, and life. The reason why critical thinking is ranked so highly in the lists of important competencies is that it encompasses both analytical and creative thinking skills. This highlights how it fits with effective decision-making, problem-solving, production and evaluation of possibilities, enabling learners to make informed judgments and construct well-reasoned cases.

For students, critical thinking empowers deeper engagement with content, confident inquiry, and the exploration of multiple perspectives, while for teachers, it is vital in designing meaningful learning experiences and fostering classroom cultures grounded in reflection and reasoning. By encouraging us to think about our thinking, critical thinking extends beyond putting effort into learning, and takes us to consider, try, and judge new perspectives, interpretations, and methods in our learning. This growth mindset approach is, in this way, central to the development and application of critical thinking skills.

Tea Break

Breakout Sessions

Global Perspective Session
Beyond Memorisation: Helping Students Think Critically and Act Confidently
By Dr. Roy van den Brink-Budgen

Memorisation is an important part of learning, helping students to build on what they learn. However, to move productively beyond this, the development of critical thinking is essential. Critical thinking needs to be seen both as a set of thinking skills (including analysis, evaluation, interpretation, and argument-production) and as a set of attributes (including open-mindedness and flexibility). Together, these skills and attributes develop students’ cognition and positively affect the way in which they apply this developed cognition.

In this session, we will use the skills and examine the attributes of critical thinking in a variety of ways, demonstrating how students can learn these skills and gain the confidence to work with a range of material to develop, justify, and respond to positions. Critical thinking aligns closely with the growth mindset, and involves (indeed, requires) students learning in a cumulative way, of building upon stages of understanding to progress to greater levels of the use of these skills.

The Global Perspectives programme is centrally based on the development and application of critical thinking skills, providing a clear sequential framework that supports students’ learning and their understanding of a wide range of important contemporary issues.

Digital Literacy Session
Future Ready Classrooms with MCE Digital Literacy and Computing Programme
By Ms. Megha Goel

This focused teacher training session offers a clear overview of the MCE Digital Literacy & Computing curriculum and demonstrates how to use it effectively in the classroom. It nurtures a shared understanding of digital literacy, computing, cybersecurity, critical thinking, AI, and computational thinking while emphasizing the key 21st century skills like collaboration, creativity, communication, and problem-solving. Rooted in a growth mindset approach, the session encourages educators to view challenges as opportunities for learning and innovation, fostering resilience and adaptability in both teachers and their students. Together, these principles prepare young learners to become confident, future-ready, and responsible digital citizens.

Maths Session
By Dr. Norhuda Musa

Please stay tuned to our website. We will be updating the synopsis soon.