Educart’s CPD Webinar Empowers 190+ Teachers to Build Critical Thinkers in Classrooms

In a bid to make classrooms more inquiry driven and student led, Educart hosted its fourth CPD webinar under the 2025 Teacher Training Program on June 16, 2025, titled "Unlocking the Power of Critical Thinking." The online session was led by Nidhi Bhagra, a Google Certified Trainer and CBSE Resource Person, and saw active participation from over 190+ educators across the country.

The 2 hr session delved into both the why and how of critical thinking, focusing on tools, frameworks, and mindsets that educators can directly apply in their classrooms. Ms. Bhagra stressed that critical thinking isn’t a skill to be taught in isolation; it is embedded in how teachers pose questions, handle responses, and design learning experiences.

“Confusion is not failure,” she noted, “it’s where critical thinking actually begins.”

Teachers were introduced to the Frayer Model, a visual framework for breaking down complex concepts. Participatory routines like Think - Pair - Share and Think - Improve - Share allowed attendees to reflect and collaborate during the live session itself. Ms. Bhagra also highlighted the power of AI tools for mind mapping and brainstorming, explaining how these can elevate lesson planning and student expression alike.

A particularly engaging moment was when she used the playful phrase "Jalebi Lay's Flavour" as a metaphor to tell the difference between misinformation and disinformation, showcasing how creative cues can simplify heavy topics for young learners.

Teachers also explored visual inquiry routines such as See - Think - Wonder and were encouraged to challenge traditional evaluation patterns, shifting the focus from “What did you score?” to “How did you think through this?”

The session aligned strongly with the NEP 2020’s call for competency based education, pushing educators to foster student voice, digital fluency, and metacognition. It concluded with a reflective segment asking teachers not just how they teach, but why they teach the way they do.

Educators left the session not only with new tools but with a deeper appreciation for the role of thoughtful questioning and design in shaping independent, empowered learners.