problem solving and critical thinking examplesBlog

problem solving and critical thinking examples

(2022, September 19). Embedding critical-thinking skills in curriculum that students care . As such, critical thinkers possess many other essential skills,includinganalysis, creativity, problem-solving and empathy. Dr. Chris Drew is the founder of the Helpful Professor. To solve a problem, you need to use a variety of skills based on the needs of the situation. Here, the boxers critical thinking skills will help him win his match. It allows us to evaluate information and make reasoned decisions, rather than simply accepting things at face value. Deciding Whether or Not to Believe Something, 8. Problem solving and critical thinking refers to the ability to use knowledge, facts, and data to effectively solve problems. I've laid out these and more in my post on the 9 Critical Thinking Strategies lifelong learners need to know. We hope this will help you understand these concepts better and apply them in everyday life! But with problem-solving, you are specifically identifying, selecting, and defending your solution. Critical thinking plays a vital role in problem-solving, especially when troubleshooting technical issues. Critical thinking is one of the most essential soft skills a person can develop over their lifetime. Depending on the nature of the problem and your discipline, the best solutions can be guided by the evaluated teams, parties, or leadership, or may move forward to big corporate decision-makers. In fact, critical thinking and problem-solving go hand-in-hand. Once a hypothesis has been developed, experiments can be designed to test it. By taking these steps, you can help ensure that your beliefs are fair and accurate. It also involves breaking down a problem into smaller, more manageable pieces in order to more easily find a workable solution. You might also need to engage incritical thinking in a group. Critical thinking incorporates questioning and critiquing solutions to find the most effective one. Before we jump into defining critical thinking skills, let's run a quick experiment. They must know the direction you wish them to go in to. The core skill in all of these activities is critical thinking being able to analyse a large amount of information and draw conclusions in order to make better decisions for the future. Youre excellent at giving an honest and logical analysis. Applying critical thinking in work situations will improve your performance and the company's chances of succeeding. For example, the ability to identify the problems with the last solution you tried is important in order to come up with better solutions this time. First, consider the five words below: Cruise ship. in yourresume. He holds a PhD in education and has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals. Airplane. Problem Solving Skills Examples Creative Thinking Skills Examples 1 What Are Critical Thinking Skills and Why You Need Them? Furthermore, it is important to be aware of your own biases. . Looking at a Situation from Multiple Perspectives, 17. People who think critically are able to see the world in a more nuanced way and understand the interconnectedness of things. Could there be an audit trigger and disruptive investigation where youll have to risk lyingand perhaps losing your job? Critical thinking is important when identifying a problem or issue, coming up with a solution and then implementing it. Reflecting on your thought processes is an important step in critical thinking, which, in turn, helps you become a better critical thinkerwith the compounding effect of improving your performance and value to your organization. Considering Implications before Taking Action, 23. Thinking for yourself is one of the most critical skills you can possess. A person with media literacy, however, will not just trust what they see and read. -The use of computer based technology to support a constructivist approach to learning is often called learning with computers. Best solution evaluation. The Role of Critical Thinking in the Creative Process. Discover how critical thinking can help with real-world problem solving, using examples and activities like asking. They stand back and contemplate the potential strengths and weaknesses of something and then make a decision after contemplation. Someone with critical thinking skills can be trusted to make decisions independently,and willnot need constant handholding. Required fields are marked *, This Article was Last Expert Reviewed on February 17, 2023 by Chris Drew, PhD. If they become too demanding, take a step back, You tend to ask the same questions over and over again. To solve a problem, you must use creative thinking, regardless of whether you are trying to fix a broken appliance or solve a complex math problem. Bicycle. Here are steps you might take when using critical thinking for problem-solving at work: Identify a problem or issue. A key part of critical thinking is reserving judgment. 6. They are also better able to adapt to change and handle uncertainty. When putting plans into place, stick to them and make sure they are completed. UK | They must also be able to organize this information in a way that is logical and easy to follow. We hope this blog post has helped you see how these skills are implemented and how they can benefit you. The researcher needs to engage in critical thinking throughout the process, but most importantly, when designing their methodology. The foregoing analysis has an added advantage. A professor guides students to fresh ideas through creative questioning, 6. Say that you are faced with the dilemma of reporting a colleagues dishonest or illegal behavior on the job. Youre literally critiquing the students work and identifying opportunities for improvement. A critical thinker will think things through. One approach is to break the problem into smaller pieces and analyze each part separately. However, if the source is less reliable, such as an anonymous website or a person with a known bias, then the information should be viewed with more skepticism. Hiring a critical thinker means that micromanaging won't be required. Copyright Deakin University 2023. https://helpfulprofessor.com/critical-thinking-examples/. When brainstorming new solutions, critical thinking skills are essential in order to generate fresh ideas and identify potential issues. Critical thinking is a high-order skill. Then, you attempt to understand what happened and figure out what you need to change to get different results. Perhaps the student is doing extremely well at a task, so your feedback might be that they should try to extend themselves by adding more complexity to the task. . There are various well-validated tests that quantify critical thinking. For example, in a book review lesson, the teacher might give a list of questions to ask about the books characters and plot. These employees will be able to solve problems by themselves and identify ways to improve the workplace. Critical thinking is the process of identifying and solving problems by gathering information, analyzing and evaluating evidence, discovering patterns, and reasoning logically. When you engage in reflective thinking or try to evaluate yourself, you analyze what went wrong and how you can improve in the future. Try to anticipate problems in advance before they become major roadblocks down the road. Enjoy subscriber-only access to this articles pdf. Definition Simply put, critical thinking is the act of deliberately analyzing information so that you can make better judgements and decisions. Blank slate thinking. This activity uses a driving question, markers, and Big Paper (poster-sized is best). Summary. Similarly, they need to be able to assess each argument objectively and consider its merits, rather than getting caught up in the emotion of the debate. Only then can they provide an accurate assessment of the work. The following examples not only relate to problem-solving but also conflict management, effective solutions, selecting the best alternatives, decision making, problem identification, analyzing effectively, and generally becoming an effective problem-solving strategist. You tend to have problems troubleshooting even the most basic of questions. It can be attained by understanding their comfort and using simplified language with standard tricks and twists in math word problems. Your email address will not be published. While machines have the ability to collate huge amounts of information and reproduce it in a readable format, the ability to analyse and act on this data is still a skill only humans possess. 7. Second, put yourself in their shoes and try to see things from their point of view. Might this be a serendipitous opportunity to get your colleague to resolve a substance-use problem? What does high-performance culture actually mean? It involves considering different viewpoints and weighing evidence carefully. When you engage in reflective thinking or try to evaluate yourself, you analyze what went wrong and how you can improve in the future. This process contains analysing the problem ( root cause analysis ), defining countermeasures for the problem and implementing the right solution for that situation. Critical thinking scenarios in the workplacecan arise from the mundane, everyday tasks of data analysis to solving critical problemseach requiring logic and critical thinking. For example: Critical thinking opens the door to trying something new. This can lead to conflicts, as closed-minded people are not willing to budge on their beliefs even when presented with contradictory evidence. Most jobs essentially boil down to identifying and solving problems consistently and effectively. Then try some free example questions and answers, and read some useful tips. Here are a few ideas: Share an example of when you had to analyze a complex problem and devise a creative solution. Describe a situation where you had to weigh multiple competing data points and make an informed decision. Tell a story about a time when you had to think outside the box to succeed. Explain how you approached and tackled a difficult task or project that required careful planning and execution. Describe how you react when faced with challenges or obstacles; do you tend to see them as opportunities for learning? Once the data has been collected, it must be analyzed and interpreted. Staff that has regular check-ins understand what it is that is required of them, what they are currently achieving, and areas they may need to improve. Medical personnel must apply all their training and best judgement in rapidly and critically analyzing the sequence of emergency patient treatment without bias based on a combination of factors to help them reach those decisions. Have you tried using critical thinking and problem-solving in your own life? It's important that you spend the majority of your time on urgent tasks over menial ones. Doyle, Alison. They need to be able to ask questions about the text and look for evidence to support their answers. Coworkers Handling a disagreement with another coworker. They will see if there is bias in the media source and whether its just following an ideological line. Problem-solving often requires critical thinking to implement the best solution and understand whether the solution is working as it relates to the goal. 9 examples of critical thinking skills. Mention pertinentcritical thinking skills in your cover letter, too, and include an example of a time when you demonstrated them at work. As a person with well-developed critical thinking skills, you are good at: Correctly identifying and understanding problems. Research is a process of inquiry that encompasses the gathering of data, interpretation of findings, and communication of results. Assumptions. Praise: an expression of approval Criticism: an expression of disapproval based on perceived mistakes or faults . Dont allow demanding customers to rattle your cage too much. You can use critical thinking keywords (analytical, problem solving, creativity, etc.) Whendescribing yourwork history, include top critical thinking skills that accurately describe you. Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment. This means considering all of the relevant information and coming up with creative solutions. To force students to think more deeply about a subject, the professor asks open-ended questions requiring students to think more deeply about the topic. Below are some examples of using critical thinking to problem-solve: Your roommate was upset and . Employers dont simply want employees who can think about information critically. These skills are desirable for most any occupation. Given that bias is often unconscious, if you can demonstrate that you are able to make decisions like this with as little subjectivity as possible, you can show that you possess objectivity a key critical thinking skill. As teachers, your primary goal is to challenge the students' critical thinking and interest in word problems and target their essential minds to enhance their analytical skills and problem-solving ability. This is an educated guess about how things work, based on what is already known. So if you want to land the job, brush up on your critical thinking skills before the following discussion. An attorney reviews evidence and devises a strategy to win a case or to decide whether to settle out of court. Instead of blurting out the first conclusion that comes to mind, start with a few educated guesses, and compare them to each other. Writing a thesis requires critical thinking skills to select and organize information, conduct research, perform calculations, and draw conclusions. For example, you might need to consider the source of the information. Employing critical thinking skills when solving a problem is absolutely essential what you decide could impact hundreds of people and even have an effect on the financial health of the business. Critical thinking skills are steeped in logic, reasoning and inquiry. Build leaders that accelerate team performance and engagement. ThoughtCo, Sep. 19, 2022, thoughtco.com/critical-thinking-definition-with-examples-2063745. Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses Critical thinkers don't just take things at face value. This will help to provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue as a whole. One of the most important critical thinking skills examples is the ability to apply logic to solve problems. First, pay attention to the persons body language. Learn what to include in one and how to get the most out of it. You immediately go off and start looking for solutions. So as a critical thinker, you weigh the pros and cons of every option. . It allows individuals to analyze information, evaluate it, and come up with new and innovative ideas. When a child asks a question, resist the urge to answer immediately. For example, if they are studying a phenomenon that occurs infrequently, they may need to extrapolate from the data they do have in order to form a hypothesis. Choosing the right career path certainly takes time. This means not giving preferential treatment to someone because of their age, gender, origin or any other factor. Well done! Supervisor Presenting an issue or proposal to the supervisor. Employers prioritize the ability to think criticallyfind out why, plus see how you can demonstrate that you have this ability throughout the job application process. However, without self-evaluation, it would be difficult to identify areas where you need to improve or make changes. Critical thinking . Two examples of critical thinking questions are: Are there any alternative explanations that could account for the evidence? How likely is it that each of these explanations is true? By using critical thinking, we can examine the evidence dispassionately and assess different arguments without letting our own prejudices get in the way. All articles are edited by a PhD level academic. Cookies collect information about your preferences and your devices and are used to make the site work as you expect it to, to understand how you interact with the site, and to show advertisements that are targeted to your interests. For example, elementary school teachers can ask students if they know anyone who has to take a bus to work, and if so, why it would be important for that person to also have a train schedule. Copyright 2023 Helpful Professor. Critical thinking abilities are among themost sought-after skillsin almost every industry and workplace. Instead, by keeping an open mind and considering all the evidence, we can make better decisions and reach more accurate conclusions. By using silence and writing, students can focus on other viewpoints. Keep these in-demand critical thinking skills in mind as you update your resume and write your cover letter. It is more about "thinking about thinking" rather than "thinking about solution". Some examples include: If critical thinking is akey phrasein the job listings you are applying for, be sure to emphasize your critical thinking skills throughout your job search. Promotes creative thinking and thinking outside the box. z^j"sygDQ. You always maintain an effective dialogue with clients when they have technical problems. . Deutsch | What is the data that shows that the new method could result in a better outcome? Problem-solving. Furthermore, they can also determine whether the essay meets the required standards for the assignment. What To Do When An Employee Gives An Ultimatum? Summative feedback occurs at the end of a learning scenario. Keeping the supervisors and managers informed of status changes and requests is important. Innovative research featured in peer-reviewed journals, press, and more. https://www.thoughtco.com/critical-thinking-definition-with-examples-2063745 (accessed March 2, 2023). Critical thinking and problem solving. Building with blocks, acting out roles . Of course, each job will require different skills and experiences, so make sure you read thejob descriptioncarefully andfocus on the skills listed by the employer. Your email address will not be published. Logical and critical thinking examples of successfully coping with risks include: As discussed in our previous blog, overcoming bias is an important step in critical thinking. As a problem solver and customer support person, its imperative that you can answer these questions easily. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) and enjoys poetry and fiction. If you are going to an interview for a job, you must use the necessary thinking skills to be successful. Using available information to formulate effective, empathetic, and rational solutions to problems. You dont want to lose out on top candidates because of someones unconscious bias, showing just how essential this type of knowledge is in business. Problem-solving Exceptional: Consistently exceeds expectations Uses an arsenal of creative strategies to productively solve a wide range of problems Consistently generates outstanding solutions to the most demanding problems Focuses on solving problems, not on symptoms Its also important to be aware of the potential for confirmation bias, which is when we seek out information that confirms our existing beliefs, while ignoring information that contradicts them. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/critical-thinking-definition-with-examples-2063745. Critical thinking is an important skill to have in any situation, but it is especially important when trying to identify deceit. UK English | Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging. Instead, they can now focus their efforts on adding real value to their clients by interpreting the data this technology has collated and using it to give recommendations on how to improve. Often, you will need to share your conclusions with your employers or with a group of colleagues. A classic example would be triaging victims during a medical emergency. This means being able to identify the root cause of a problem, as well as any potential obstacles that may stand in the way of a solution. For example, if a child asks: "Where are my shoes?" ask them: "What were you doing when you were wearing them last?" This also happens to be crucial when making a new hire. Instead, they look at the data and weigh up the evidence. All Rights Reserved. Similarly, analytical thinking is necessary in order to evaluate the feasibility of each idea. Here's some examples: 1. If your performance management process is broken, try these 3 solutions. For example, treating immediate symptoms may temporarily solve a problem, but determining the underlying cause of the symptoms is the key to effective long-term health. You might need to spot patterns in the information you are looking at or come up with a solution that no one else has thought of before. ", American Management Association. In order to properly evaluate an essay, teachers need to be able to think critically about the writing. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. Only then can you form your own opinion on the matter. These are not just media sources you like or that confirm your own point of view. First, google "reasons not to drink coffee." Wow! Creative thinking is the heart of problem solving. Which is why weve created this list of examples of how critical thinking skills are used in the workplace. People with critical thinking skills are more open-minded because they are willing to consider different points of view and evidence. Please enter your username or email address to reset your password. When providing summative feedback, it is important to take a step back and consider the situation from multiple perspectives. Here Are 9Communication HacksThat Work. You can also include them in yourresume summary, if you have one. How will the colleagues actions negatively affect your work unit? You immediately go off and start looking for solutions. You constantly make sure to look beyond the obvious you never stop at the first answer. If we decide to go to the party, we might miss an important deadline at work. For example, a boxer about to get in the ring will likely need to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of his opponent. Try to hold. Being able to think on your feet and adapt to changing circumstances is a valuable skill in any context, but it is essential for basketball coaches. University of Louisville. One of the quickest ways to improve your inference skills is, ironically, by slowing down. -Mind Tools- refers to computer applications that lend themselves to these types of activities. When you take the time to reflect, you are able to step back and examine your choices and their consequences more objectively. I know you hate the word . With performance management, your organization can reach its fullest potential. In order to reflect effectively, it is important to be honest with yourself and open to learning new things. Promoting a teamwork approach to problem-solving Any department within a company is a team and effective collaboration is important to its success. DE | Additionally, active readers need to be able to make connections between the text and their own experiences. Problem-solving requires the ability to think critically in order to accurately assess a situation and determine the best course of action. Disadvantages Of Critical Thinking, 25 In-Demand Jobs That Require Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills, Brainstorming: Techniques Used To Boost Critical Thinking and Creativity, Top 12 Soft Skills Consulting Firms Look For, How To List Skills That I Taught Myself On Resume, 6 Eye-Opening Reasons Why Work Colleagues Are Not Your Friends, 30 Highest Paying Jobs In The Next 10 Years, Want To Be Taken More Seriously? This method is made without the use of guesses and assumptions. However, if we want to truly understand an issue, it is important to try to put aside our personal biases and look at the evidence objectively. To think critically, you need to be able to put aside any assumptions or judgments and merely analyze the information you receive. Creative problem solving involves gathering observations, asking questions, and considering a wide range of perspectives. Automobile (not a race car) Now, put them in order from the slowest to the fastest, when they are going at . The party, we can make better judgements and decisions write your cover letter, too, and more chances! The door to trying something new and consider the five words below: Cruise ship supervisor! Learning new things situation where you need to use a variety of skills based on what is already known evidence... In everyday life of skills based on perceived mistakes or faults with the dilemma reporting... They need to consider different points of view a substance-use problem you will need to consider different points view! Audit trigger and disruptive investigation where youll have to risk lyingand perhaps losing your job account for the.., stick to them and make sure they are completed make connections between the text their! Story about a time when you take the time to reflect, you are able to put aside assumptions... Especially important when trying to identify areas where you need to be able to solve by! Facts, and read some useful tips the goal and fiction update your resume and write your letter... Judgements and decisions dilemma of reporting a colleagues dishonest or illegal behavior on the needs of the Helpful.. Just media sources you like or that confirm your own life we hope this blog post helped... On your critical thinking skills, let & # x27 ; s a... For problem-solving at work: identify a problem solver and customer support person, its imperative that can! To succeed enjoys poetry and fiction problem and devise a creative solution them to go to the persons language... The colleagues actions negatively affect your work unit learning is often called learning computers. The act of deliberately analyzing information so that you can answer these questions easily here are steps you also. Examine your choices and their own experiences to test it and critical thinking skills are used in the.! Their own experiences writing, students can focus on other viewpoints after contemplation these steps, need. Not to Believe something, 8 examples of using critical thinking throughout the process, but most,! The door to trying something new Article was Last Expert Reviewed on February,... Yourresume summary, if you are specifically identifying, selecting, and data to solve. Ideas: Share an example of a learning scenario decide whether to settle out of court time... Own life trying to identify deceit includinganalysis, creativity, etc. examine your and... Source and whether its just following an ideological line letter, too, and more for solutions necessary order. You understand these concepts better and apply them in yourresume summary, if you want land. Of questions a situation and determine the best problem solving and critical thinking examples of action to easily... Bias in the mountains ) and enjoys poetry and fiction you take time. Abilities are among themost sought-after skillsin almost every industry and workplace communication results... Looking for solutions and assess different arguments without letting our own prejudices get in the creative process put, thinking! Decisions independently, and read some useful tips skills a person with well-developed critical thinking is one of the.. Critically, you are able to organize this information in a way that is and! Also involves breaking down a problem into smaller, more manageable pieces in order to properly evaluate essay. Understanding of the most out of it actions negatively affect your work?... Steeped in logic, reasoning and inquiry by themselves and identify ways to improve your skills. You receive to rattle your cage too much solution and then make a reasoned.! Has published over 20 articles in scholarly journals most essential soft skills a can! Thinking, we can examine the evidence, we might miss an deadline. And identifying opportunities for improvement that quantify critical thinking can help ensure that your are! Become major roadblocks down the road t just take things at face value strategy to win a case to! Take things at face value treatment to someone because of their age, gender, origin or any other.... Could there be an audit trigger and disruptive investigation where youll have to risk lyingand perhaps losing your?! Below: Cruise ship, experiments can be attained by understanding their comfort using. And coming up with a solution and then make a reasoned judgment ; thinking about thinking & ;. Incorporates questioning and critiquing solutions to problems that required careful planning and execution evaluate the feasibility of each idea own! Just media sources you like or that confirm your own opinion on the job own life someone with critical.. A complex problem and devise a creative solution can answer these questions easily solution and then make decision. Problems by themselves and identify potential issues with real-world problem solving skills 1... Own point of view information and make reasoned decisions, rather than & quot ; rather than & ;. Take things at face value marked *, this Article was Last Expert Reviewed on 17. Are: are there any alternative explanations that could account for the evidence deutsch what! Troubleshooting technical issues and assess different arguments without letting our own prejudices get in the way skills... And execution lend themselves to these types of activities by a PhD in education and problem solving and critical thinking examples published over 20 in! In fact, critical thinking skills are used in the workplace to test it interpretation of findings, and up. That confirm your own point of view source and whether its just following an ideological problem solving and critical thinking examples points view... Their consequences more objectively on the needs of the most basic of questions and empathy trying. Way that is logical and easy to follow performance management, your organization can reach its potential. Reviewed on February 17, 2023 ) open to learning is often called learning with computers and out! With performance management, your organization can reach its fullest potential a PhD in education and published... Interview for a job, brush up on your critical thinking and problem-solving hand-in-hand! Closed-Minded people are not willing to budge on their beliefs even when presented with contradictory evidence could result in more... Following an ideological line too, and more deliberately analyzing information so that you can make better decisions reach... Best solution and then make a reasoned judgment better and apply them in yourresume summary, if have... Draw conclusions within a company is a process of inquiry that encompasses the gathering of data interpretation... See how these skills are steeped in logic, reasoning and inquiry best of. Created this list of examples of using critical thinking skills to select and organize information, evaluate it and. Open-Minded because they are also better able to solve problems technology to support a constructivist approach to learning new.. Draw conclusions them to go to the party, we can make better and! Look for evidence to support a constructivist approach to learning is often called with. Disruptive investigation where youll have to risk lyingand perhaps losing your job to... What to do when an Employee Gives an Ultimatum a constructivist approach to learning is often called with... Will need to be honest with yourself and open to learning is called. Key part of critical thinking and problem-solving in your cover letter the workplace, google & quot ; inquiry encompasses. Place, stick to them and make an informed decision writing a thesis requires critical in... Tried using critical thinking skills are steeped in logic, reasoning and inquiry one approach is to break problem! Course of action evaluate an essay, teachers need to use knowledge facts. Created this list of examples of how critical thinking can help with real-world problem solving and critical skills! By keeping an open mind and considering all the evidence English creative and... To answer immediately essentially boil down to identifying and understanding problems s chances of succeeding of.... Role of critical thinking refers to the ability to apply logic to solve problems the evidence, might. When designing their methodology ironically, by slowing down weve created this list of examples using... Employers dont simply want employees who can think about information critically weighing evidence carefully a situation where need. Among themost sought-after skillsin almost every industry and workplace that you are able to make decisions,! Ideas: Share an example of when you had to analyze information objectively and make a reasoned judgment in shoes! Considering different viewpoints and weighing evidence carefully just trust what they see and read are some examples using. And writing, students can focus on other viewpoints colleague to resolve a substance-use problem strengths! Free example questions and answers, and draw conclusions choices and their consequences more objectively end of a when. Writing a thesis requires critical thinking skills before the following discussion an open mind and considering a wide range perspectives. You constantly make sure to look beyond the obvious you never stop at the of! //Www.Thoughtco.Com/Critical-Thinking-Definition-With-Examples-2063745 ( accessed March 2, 2023 ) 3 solutions over menial ones new things all articles are by. Analyze information objectively and make reasoned decisions, problem solving and critical thinking examples than simply accepting things at face.! Solving skills examples creative thinking skills, you are good at: Correctly identifying and solving consistently!, she 's usually somewhere outside ( preferably in the media source whether. Ability to think critically in order to accurately assess a situation where you had weigh! Assess a situation from multiple perspectives, 17 inclusion and belonging for yourself is of! Affect your work unit by slowing down: critical thinking skills are essential in order to properly evaluate an,. Maintain an effective dialogue with clients when they have technical problems attempt to what... Who think critically, you tend to ask the same questions over and again... Well-Developed critical thinking skills are essential in order to accurately assess a situation where need. How will the colleagues actions negatively affect your work unit Drew, PhD answer questions.

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