Critical literacy is a way of thinking about text. Since literacy is a way of comprehending and creating in a medium, I would extend the meaning of critical literacy to be a way of thinking about everything. I often tell the learners in my room to question everything. Many are surprised when one of them questions me and is praised! It is simple math, really. There are 19 of them and 1 of me. Now where is the brain power? Yeah, exactly.
One of the techniques for enhancing critical literacy is called "Problem Posing". Using this method, the learning leader poses questions after learners have experienced the medium. These questions include

* Who is named in the medium? Who is missing?
* Which viewpoint is represented? Which viewpoint is ignored?
* What does the author intend by the piece? What does the author want you to think?
* What are the alternative views?
* How could this piece promote freedom from bias?

Using just this one strategy with fiction mediums and nonfiction mediums, we could encourage learners at all levels to think critically.
Being able to think critically is the hallmark of freedmen/women. It is sad when our students are afraid to question teachers/professors and then grow into adults afraid to question all authority figures. We are charged with preparing k20 learners for their futures in this century where the ability to use critical analysis in all areas of life using all mediums in existence and not yet invented will be crucial to success.