Critical Thinking

$23.97

Critical Thinking

Description

In today’s society, we are bombarded with messages to believe various ideas, purchase things, support causes, and lead our lifestyle in a particular way. This course will give you the ability to clearly reason through problems and to present arguments in a logical, compelling way.

Objectives

In this course, you’ll learn what critical thinking is all about, what characteristics a critical thinker has, and what skills you may want to work on. Then, you’ll work your way through a seven-step critical thinking model. Supporting skills, such as asking good questions, applying common sense, and thinking creatively, are also covered.

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Session 1: Course Overview

In today’s society, many people experience information overload. We are bombarded with messages to believe various ideas, purchase things, support causes, and lead our lifestyle in a particular way. How do you know what to believe? How do you separate the truth from the myths?

The answer lies in critical thinking skills. The ability to clearly reason through problems and to present arguments in a logical, compelling way has become a key skill for survival in today’s world. This course will give you some practical tools and hands-on experience with critical thinking and problem solving.

Learning Objectives

Pre-Assignment

Session 2: Understanding Critical Thinking

Critical thinkers look at things quite differently from non-critical thinkers. When you look at how you approach life, ask questions, or express your curiosity about things, can you identify what method you are using?

In this session, you’ll define critical thinking, explore the characteristics of critical thinkers, and consider how to increase your capacity for critical thought.

What is Critical Thinking?

Critical vs. Non-Critical Thinking

A Closer Look

Sample Statements

Glossary

Characteristics of a Critical Thinker

Common Critical Thinking Styles

Making Connections

Session 3: Where Do Other Types of Thinking Fit In?

There are different approaches to research about how people think and how our brains work. If you think about you and your best friends, you probably don’t all approach things the same way, even if you come up with the same results.

In this session, you’ll learn about left and right brain thinking and explore the concept of whole brain thinking.

Left and Right Brain Thinking

Whole-Brain Thinking

Session 4: Pitfalls to Reasoned Decision Making

There are positives and negatives to practically everything, and there are some pitfalls to reasoned decision making as well. This is to be expected, but knowing what they are can make a big difference!

In this session, you’ll learn about identifying and resolving common barriers to critical thinking and decision making.

Pitfalls and Solutions

Building a House on Sand

Circular Reasoning

Red Herring

Emotional Manipulation

Negative Arguments

Omitting Facts

Overgeneralizing

Oversimplifying

The Slippery Slope

Using the Straw Man

Session 5: The Critical Thinking Process

You probably have some things in life that you approach quite systematically. Perhaps you have a method for how you approach your work day, balance your bank account, or plan a holiday. Critical thinking is similar, as you apply a process and work through the steps.

In this session, you’ll take an in-depth look at a critical thinking model and apply what you are learning to a case study.

The Problem Solving Model

The Critical Thinking Model

The Standards of Critical Thinking

Identifying the Issues

Case Studies

Identifying the Arguments

Case Studies

Clarifying the Issues and Arguments

Establishing Context

Mini Case Study

Checking Credibility and Consistency

Consistency

Case Study: Changing Cafeteria Offerings

Evaluating Arguments

Case Study

Critical Thinking Worksheet

Session 6: A Critical Thinkers Skill Set

Some people ask deep, thought-provoking questions that require the person answering to consider things. Others of us have to work at asking those types of questions and getting to the heart of the matter.

In this session, you’ll learn about open and closed questions, using probes, and becoming more critical about the way you approach questions.

Asking Questions

Closed Questions

Probing Techniques

Pushing My Buttons

Critical Thinking Questions

Active Listening Skills

Responding to Feelings

Reading Cues

Demonstration Cues

TipTips for Becoming a Better Listener

Session 7: Creating Explanations

The way we present what we know, and what we think about, has a significant impact on what people think about what we are saying. Having a way to clearly present yourself can help you express your ideas.

In this session, you will learn about explanations, arguments, and the explanation building process.

Defining Explanations

Mini Case Study

Making Connections

Steps to Building an Explanation

Gathering Information

Processing Information

Developing Hypotheses

Testing Hypotheses

Making Connections

Questions

Session 8: Dealing with Assumptions

We assume a lot. We assume that the planet will continue to revolve around the earth, and that groceries will appear in the local shops. Some assumptions are correct, and others test our ideas of what we expect.

In this session, you’ll learn about assumptions and how they can help in your everyday world, as well as how they need to be evaluated.

The Pros and Cons of Assumptions

Session 9: Common Sense

Have you ever heard the expression, “Common sense is just not that common!” It often gives us a pause for laughter before we start thinking that in some cases, it certainly does appear to be true. What’s your experience with common sense?

In this session, we’ll give some consideration of common sense and its application in terms of critical thinking.

Making Connections

Session 10: Critical and Creative Thought Systems

Some people don’t think of themselves as creative, and yet all of us are. Having the best tools and methods available can make a big difference in getting the creative juices flowing.

In this session, you’ll learn about critical and creative thought systems, including methods to help you think creatively.

Techniques for Thinking Creatively

Imagine the Opposite

Breaking Down Assumptions

Random Word Method

The Triad

Secret Characters

Don’t Re-Invent the Wheel

Creative Thinking Exercise

DeBono’s Thinking Hats

The Value of the Hats

Session 11: Putting It into Practice

In order to learn a new skill we have to do much more than read about it. We need to apply the new skills in realistic situations, practice, and get more familiar with them so that we can feel comfortable in applying them.

In this session, you’ll get some hands-on practice presenting and communicating your ideas in a range of situations.

Presenting and Communicating Your Ideas to Others

Pre-Assignment Preparation

Presentation Worksheet

Presentations

Session 12: A Personal Action Plan

Now that you have completed this course on Critical Thinking, how will you use the things you have learned? Creating a personal action plan can help you to stay on track, and on target. When you take responsibility for yourself and your results, you get things done.

In this session, you will be asked questions to help you plan your short-term and long-term goals. This final exercise is a way for you to synthesize the learning that you have done, and to put it into practice.

Starting Point

Where I Want to Go

How I Will Get There

Summary