PEDAGOGICAL MECHANISMS FOR DEVELOPING CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING IN THE 21st CENTURY

This article considers one of the most urgent tasks facing the education system in the 21st century - the formation and development of students' creative and critical thinking skills. The author analyzes the theoretical and methodological foundations of creative and critical thinking based on modern pedagogical approaches and identifies effective pedagogical mechanisms that serve their development. The article describes ways to develop critical and creative thinking by introducing innovative methods, interactive exercises, problem-based learning, and collaborative learning into the educational process. It also highlights the importance of equipping students with skills such as independent thinking, a new approach to the problem, and making informed decisions within the framework of the 21st century competencies.