Critical Thinking, Problem Solving

Throughout my years at Doulos I have been encouraged to not simply learn information,
but also to think deeply about the ideas I am being taught. Also, I am encouraged to use this
knowledge in order to solve actual problems. As a result, Doulos has prepared me in becoming a
greater critical thinker and problem solver. I have been able to take these skills I learned at
school and apply them to my personal interests, such as film, and even in conversations
throughout my daily life. Critical thinking, problem solving is not merely an academic discipline,
it is a general approach towards ideas that is truth seeking as opposed to seeking simple answers
or solutions. I have demonstrated my skills in Critical thinking, problem solving in the way that I
utilize resources to analyze information, in the way I make logical decisions with awareness of
bias, and in the way I use outside opinions and theories to arrive at the best solution.
In a world that is changing rapidly in the introduction of new resources and technology, I
have shown that I am extremely capable at using such these resources to seek knowledge and
truth. At school, the expeditions have incited some of my best use of research. Most notably, in
2013 we had an expedition on microgreens that was very challenging. At first, I did not even
know what microgreens were, so I was challenged to use online resources to learn about them.
Furthermore, I was challenged to find the best ways to grow microgreens here in the Dominican
Republic. This required using technology to learn about the microgreens and it required using
school resources to run experiments that are more relevant to our particular environment.
Another way I have utilized resources to analyze information is in the critical reading projects
for English class. In these projects I had to work hard to make a historical analysis, an ethical
system analysis, and a worldview analysis for three books. In each of the projects I had to
analyze multiple texts to fully synthesize all of the information I learned. Consequently, I would
take these rigorous analysis strategies to explore film criticism on my own. In order to apply to
NYU Tisch, I wrote a 7 page film analysis paper that compared two Chinese films, one classic
and one contemporary. This required a lot of the same strategies that the critical reading projects
had, except that there was a greater lack of resources so I had to use analyze only primary
sources (the films themselves). I have demonstrated mastery in utilizing resources to analyze
information not only in school, but also in my personal pursuits as well.
Many times it is difficult to find truth as it is often muddled in with bias and emotion; as
a result I have had to make more logical decisions with awareness of these prejudices.
Throughout my time at Doulos I have had to make these decisions in several aspects of life such
as religion, cinema, and politics. When I first came into Doulos, I was more of an agnostic
spiritual seeker. I had learned a lot about religion before and my parents were religious but I
never immersed myself in a religious lifestyle. While I started to come into faith in Christ, I
noticed that a lot of incongruities I saw between science and religion were not really
incongruous at all. In fact, a lot of what I learned from religion supported what humanity has
learned of the physical realm. It was still difficult as I had to struggle with religious people and
secular people with scientific problems. I noticed the bias in both of the groups, and even my
own bias but I concluded that science can definitively answer most physical questions but there
is still a need for spirituality. At the same time, people must be willing to accept new discoveries
in science because spiritual texts do not generally contain scientific insight. I have also had
debates in cinema, and culture in general. My first major conflict was the division between
high and low art forms. After several debates and a lot of reading, I concluded that every
form of expression has its masterpieces and its failures, and that the ideal person can appreciate
the masterpieces of all forms of expression, whether they are traditionally high or low.
Another conflict I had was a specific debate on what the definition of cinema should be. I
argued that cinema was the art of the moving image, so the only required element in cinema is
the moving image. However, someone felt that cinema required sound, in order to truly be
cinema. Although the debate became lengthy, I noticed that the person I was arguing with
worked on audio post production so he had a lot of bias. I came from a more critical point of
view as I mentioned the existence of purely silent Japanese and Chinese films that exist. I also
responded to some thin arguments that he made such as saying that the pure moving image
without sound was just closed-circuit television. I argued that closed-circuit television could not
be equated with cinema, as cinema is always crafted and made by a filmmaker (with
artistic/intelligent input). Another major problem I have had to address has been the analysis of
communist and capitalist ideas. I have found many intelligent perspectives on both sides of the
argument, and I even have formed my own opinion. But I concluded that in general, the system
of government is not what makes an ideal country, it is the attitude and the hearts of the
individuals that inhabit the country. In general, this is the way that I try to solve every problem,
by gaining insights from everyone around me and peeling away any falsehood and bias. Even
though as a human being I can never fully discover truth at all times, over the years I have
demonstrated that I am committed to seeking truth through reasoned discussion.
As I have had to develop completely new skills in high school, I have learned to take into
account the knowledge of others to find the best solutions. First of all, as I learned how to make
films I had to hear every opinion that I could. In general, I try to understand the perspectives of
the art filmmaker, the commercial filmmaker, the cinephile, and the film critic/scholar in order to
find the best ways for me to use the cinematic language. Through watching countless films,
watching David Bordwells video essays on the history of film, and reading several of Andre
Bazins essays I have developed my own cinematic aesthetic while maintaining that other styles
are also valid. I also started to learn more about film analysis by taking a film class in 11
th
Grade
and taking an online college course on marriage films in 12
th
Grade. In a completely different
realm, I have had to learn to use others knowledge to improve my skills in construction. In the
summer of 2012, I started working construction which was completely different from anything I
had done before. Fortunately, I kept an open mind and learned from my mistakes to improve my
work. This would later be important as I worked in my schools theater tech crew where I had to
use the same skills to build sets and props. As I took a Speech and Communication class, I also
had to use others knowledge to improve my speaking skills. I did this by watching all of my
classmates speeches and taking note of what each speaker did to succeed. As I have had to
develop new skills and work in new fields, I have shown that I am able to seek out knowledge
from more experienced individuals in order to improve as much as I can.
As I have grown, Critical thinking, problem solving has become my general approach to
learning new ideas. I never accept ideas on face value or based on my emotions, and I always
seek to learn more. I have not only demonstrated a passion for learning in school, but have also
sought out opportunities to learn outside of school as well. I try to always be aware of bias when
discussing with others because what I really want to seek is truth, even when it is inconvenient or
even when I am mistaken. As a truthseeker this ESLO really appeals to me and I hope to
continue to grow in Critical thinking, problem solving in order to continue develop my artistic,
spiritual, and emotional growth.