SUMMARY:

In the article “What’s the BIG IDEA?” Dee Broughton talks about how "Academic writing" becomes "Academic Discourse”. Academic writing can become Academic Discourse when the idea is presented according to the principles of rational academic argument, and to present this argument different academic genre like Summary, Synthesis, Analysis and Evaluation, Quotation, Paraphrase and Citation are used.

The Socratic method to questioning is rest on the practice of confirmed, thoughtful dialogue. Socrates, Greek philosopher, believed that disciplined practice of thoughtful 
questioning prepared the student to check ideas logically and to determine the validity of those 
ideas. In this technique, the teacher professes ignorance of the topic in order to engage in 
dialogue with the students. With this “acting dumb,” the student develops the fullest possible 
knowledge about the topic. 

SOCRATIC QUESTIONING:
The Socratic Questioning technique is an effective way to explore ideas in intense way. It can be used at all levels and is also helpful to teachers. It can be used at different points within a unit or project. By using Socratic Questioning, teachers promote independent thinking in their students and give them ownership of what they are learning. Higher-level thinking skills are present while students think, discuss, debate, evaluate, and analyze content through their own thinking and the thinking of those around them. These types of questions may take some practice on both the 
teacher and students’ part since it may be a whole new approach. 
Socratic questioning is at the heart of critical thinking and a number of homework problems draw from R.W. Paul's six types of Socratic questions:
Questions for clarification
Questions that probe assumptions
Questions that probe reasons and evidence
Questions about Viewpoints and Perspectives
Questions that probe implications and consequences
Questions about the question

A Brief History of the Idea of Critical Thinking

The concept of critical thinking was being taken into consideration since the time of Socrates 2,500. He set up the firm importance of seeking evidence, closely examine, reasoning and assumption, analyzing basic concept of not only what is said but of what is done as well. He also develop a method called "Socrates Questioning", best known for critical thinking teaching strategy. After Socrates Plato followed his practice. In Middle Age the idea of critical thinking was given a tangible of not only the potential power of reasoning but of the need for reasoning to be systematically cultivated and cross examined. In Renaissance (15th and 16th centuries) the development of critical thought was based on the doctrine of Systematic doubt. it is also said that every part of thinking should be questioned, doubted and tested. In 16th and 17th century everything was explained by evidence and reasoning. This age also laid the theoretical foundation for critical thinking about basic human rights and the responsibilities of all goverments to submit to the reasoned criticism of thoughtful citizens. In 18th century french thinkers began with premise that the human mind, when disciplined by reason. According to Piaget, we have to increase our awareness of the egocentric and sociocentric tendencies of human thought which is able to reason within multiple standpoints, and to be raised to the level of "conscious realization".
Thus, the devices of critical thinkers is widely develop through the history of critical thought.

What is thinking?

The process of thinking is difficult to define. No one can figure out how one can think and learn. basically a person's ideas or opinions come under thinking. Dewey's(1933):
"Thinking as a stream of consciousness and the every day uncontrolled coursing of ideas through our heads, including dreaming and daydreams."
Different Perspectives of thinking:
Psychological Perspectives- psychologists study thinking in other people, a third person perspective in which the metaphor of the brain as a computer has been dominant. it is noticed that while thinking we are not aware of the thinking process.
Sociological Perspectives- Thinking process always takes place under the influence of social surroundings it may be direct or indirect.
Philosophical Perspectives- In this the main focus is on the aspects of thinking and learning. Educational philosophy has tended to view these issues in term of learning to know or the development of knowledge.

Web 2.0 and Language learning:
This video is about how Web 2.0 is useful in language learning.
Web 2.0 includes blogs, wikis, podcast, videos and many more things that help the students as well as teachers.
Blogs, it appeals language teachers because its a way to opening up the classroom wall and showing a wider world what's happening wider world can mean other students, parents and anyone.
Wikis, it's a website which written to by people. In this content is given important not design.
podcast, it talks about how to connect student from around the world. In podcast Audio-video files can be download and use for language learning.
Virtual world is particularly second life.