Dr. Frederick A Ricci | Universitaet Potsdam (original) (raw)

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Papers by Dr. Frederick A Ricci

Abstract A teacher that emphasizes reasoning, logic and validity gives their students access to m... more Abstract
A teacher that emphasizes reasoning, logic and validity gives their students access to mathematics as an effective way of practicing critical thinking. All students have the ability to enhance and expand their critical thinking when learning mathematics. Students can develop this ability when confronting mathematical problems, identifying possible solutions and evaluating and justifying their reasons for the results, thereby allowing students to become confident critical thinkers. Critical thinking and reasoning allows students to think about how they utilize their discipline of mathematical skills (i.e., they think about their method of thinking). Metacognition helps students to recognize that math is logical reasoning on solutions to problems. Students are taught how to: identify scenarios; evaluate; select problem-solving strategies; identify possible conclusions; select logical conclusions; describe how a solution was summarized; and indicate how those solutions can be applied to more advanced math problems. This paper indicates the necessity of applying critical thinking and provides an example of how critical thinking; creativity and flexibility in finding such ways help students to better understand the concepts of number sense. This discipline of reasoning results with students who develop the ability with focused thinking, planning and strategizing, which have been identified as key aspects of organizational success, decision making, and life choices.

Today’s executive leaders require the ability to change, rethink and prepare for mobility, innova... more Today’s executive leaders require the ability to change, rethink and prepare for mobility, innovation, flexibility, agility, and change. The importance of critical thinking as a basis for self-empowerment and design thinking are necessary toward growth and innovation in a socially networked global society. Executives need to cultivate critical thinking within their organizations to assure successful decision making occurs leading toward organizational advancement, whether measured in achievements or net profits. Senior executives who encourage the management team to develop critical thinking skills among employees are essential for expanding and improving the work environment. Critical thinking also forms the basis for design thinking, which is emerging as a management technique. Design thinking provides problem-finding frameworks that enable and drive innovation and strategic leadership, along with radical collaboration among human resources. Top tier universities incorporate instruction to fulfill the needs of innovative organizations that request a higher order of thinking and the importance of building and nurturing radical collaboration among employees (Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2014). The ever changing world requires executives and managers to adapt and develop abilities and competencies to continuously practice critical thinking to prepare for such changes. Critical thinking allows managers and employees the ability to consider evidence carefully on all issues from all viewpoints and to determine what is rational and realistic when developing a strategic focus or plan of action within the organization. The ability to think critically is often identified by executives as one of the most important areas to consider within their new hires: Budryk (2013) indicated that thinking, communication, and problem-solving skills are more important for new hires than for major areas of study or colleges attended.
Keywords: Critical Thinking, Decision Making. Virtual World Thinking, Executive Thinking

Presentation on Infusing Critical Thinking in Religion and Realism In the explosive interconnec... more Presentation on Infusing Critical Thinking in Religion and Realism In the explosive interconnected communication global information age,

To determine whether cultural conditioning influences critical thinking, we utilized qualitative... more To determine whether cultural conditioning influences critical thinking, we utilized qualitative data from a literature review by comparing critical thinking focusing on but not limited to Europeans and Asians. The research questions were the following: How does cultural heritage impinge or assist critical thinking skills and abilities? How does cultural influence determine the way individuals critically think of government authority, moral and immoral judgment, decisions, and organizational success? Can individual frames of reference related to a culture influence or bias the thought process or differently affect the critical thinking process? The literature review indicated that cultural conditioning and language do affect an individual’s thought and decision-making process. Because educational institutions have diverse cultures among faculty, students, and staff, the academic environment provides an opportunity to view cultural conditioning and its effect on critical thinking during the decision-making process. In higher education, case studies have provided a means for students to respond to questions, issues, and challenges that provide reasonable alternatives influenced by cultural conditioning. Research on understanding critical thinking and influences by culture can assist in developing awareness of differences in the decision-making processes and might eliminate many of the misunderstandings incurred when leading a group toward strategic thinking and planning.

Team Performance Management, 2006

Purpose This paper aims to review the history of critical thinking as a seminal and foundationa... more Purpose This paper aims to review the history of critical thinking as a seminal and foundational skill for small groups. The paper shows that much of the team research focuses on the elementary functions of decision-making processes, task fulfilment, and project management. Virtual ...

This articles attempts to indicatehow a university totally on site, transitioned from an overseas... more This articles attempts to indicatehow a university totally on site, transitioned from an overseas study abroad college and encouraging the entrance of blended and online learning at an American University in Rome, Italy. A sabbatical experience, creating an awareness researching the benefits of blended learning provided a small study abroad college to expand its rich educational offerings throughout the world through distance learning.
While in sabbatical at the American university in Rome, I worked closely with the President and Chancellor with new ideas new focus while I was developing my project on organizational leadership at an international American university: American University of Rome. In 1969, The American University of Rome and often identified as AUR was founded as a college for study abroad study-abroad students and later incorporated in the District of Columbia in 1970. David Colin, an American journalist in Rome was active in the Rome’s literary and artistic circles. He fostered cultural exchanges Americans and Italians and provided discussions which became lectures and later classes. David Colin began to work with an Italian named George Tesoro, who had lived in America and assisted in the growth and development of educational offerings. The program grew and too become an academic offering of mostly study abroad programs with Collin as President and Tersoro as Chairman of the proposed university. It because a university and called American University of Rome in 1969. In 1986 AUR received a license by the Education Licensure Commission of the District of Columbia to offer Bachelor’s and Associate’s Degrees. Its first class was in 1987 and is now the oldest degree-granting American university in Rome. The programs of instruction were offered from apartment buildings within the city of Rome and in 1993 moved to its present location on Janiculum hill in Rome in 1993.

Academic institutions adapting to changing marketing communications will survive and prosper in t... more Academic institutions adapting to changing marketing communications will survive and prosper in the upcoming years Marketing of higher education is surging digital knowledge to the internet with online and social media strategies creating diverse multimedia campaigns.

Abstract With the explosion of cross-border organizations, dramatic geopolitical shifts, regional... more Abstract
With the explosion of cross-border organizations, dramatic geopolitical shifts, regional integration, and expanding partnerships, business and governmental executives’ leaders are continually being called to adjust their leadership roles to deal with diversity in a changing global economy. Business executives have been actively involved in China with joint ventures, alliances, multinational pacts and transnational agreements with goods and services worldwide. Educators need to implement appropriate strategies to take on new leadership roles within a global educational context; they must apply the new thinking necessary to achieve success within a more diverse educational setting in schools and colleges as well as create practices that allow further diversification to take place. In this way educational organizational leaders will work with the grain of globalization rather than struggling with those who oppose change. The importance of globalization and multicultural transitions in schools and colleges has been underscored by the Task Force on Global Responsibility of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (cited in California Community Colleges, 2004), which stated
Among the myriad of changes facing higher education, none is more compelling than the need to provide campus environments that prepare students to live and function productively in a business and social milieu of great cultural, economic and linguistic diversity. If today's educated people are to be able to move comfortably in many different cultures, they must have the advantage of a global education.

Team Performance Management, 2006