CRITICAL THINKING

CRITICAL THINKING course description

In this module participants will explore what critical
thinking is. Participants will discuss the components,
skills, and specific characteristics and qualities that
critical thinkers demonstrate. Participants will also
examine misconceptions and mental traps related to
critical thinking. In addition, participants will be
introduced to deBono’s Six Thinking Hats approach and
will have the opportunity to practice lateral thinking
while trying to solve two different problems.

Ultimately, critical thinking skills are applied to solve

problems and to make decisions. We will work through a
problem-solving model, and participants will learn about
and practice the different steps and strategies within
each stage.
CRITICAL THINKING
Objectives:
❑ Knows and understands different Intelligences and
ways people learns best (Multiple Intelligences)
❑ Understands what is Critical thinking and its
importance
❑ Enhances the critical thinking mindset of the
participant and to be creative in problem solving
❑ Gain faster and higher quality decision making that is
more likely to be correct by using tools & techniques
on critical thinking
❑ Be assertive/proactive in responding to different
situation that requires critical thinking process
❑ Apply an active role in problem solving
❑ Improves their self-confidence when facing a problem
 DAYS MODULE THEMATICS

Understanding of Critical Thinking

▪ What is Critical Thinking
3hrs/ 1day MODULE I
▪ Critical Thinking Skills Model/Components
▪ Developing critical thinking skills

Critical Thinking
▪ Characteristics & Qualities of Critical Thinkers
9hrs/ 3day MODULE II
▪ Introduction to deBono’s Six Thinking Hats
▪ Decision-Making & the Brain

Critical Thinkers’ Skills Set

▪ Asking Critical Thinking Questions
9hrs/ 3day MODULE III ▪ Probing
▪ Active listening skills
▪ Critical reading

6hrs/ 2day MODULE IV ▪ Multiple Intelligences

Study Skills: Learning how to learn

▪ Organizational skills & tools
▪ Note-taking
6hrs/ 2day MODULE V ▪ Skills for improving memory
▪ Regeneration & mnemonic devices
▪ Tracking progress toward achieving goal
 MODULE I:
UNDERSTANDING CRITICAL THINKING
❖ What is Thinking?
❖ Types of Thinking?
❖ What is Critical Thinking?
❖ Critical Thinking Standards
❖ Benefits of Critical Thinking
❖ Barriers to Critical Thinking
Why Why
doesn’t doesn’t
SHE like HE like
me? me?

As you start asking questions and seek

answers, you are in fact thinking.
 TYPES OF THINKING

PROBLEM SOLVING
DECISION-MAKING

ANALYZING CRITICAL CREATIVE NEW IDEAS

EVALUATING THINKING THINKING
REASONING (LEFT) (RIGHT)
Understanding Critical Thinking
What is Critical Thinking?
Understanding Critical Thinking

Another explanation defines it thusly: “Critical thinking

is the art of thinking about your thinking while you are
thinking in order to make your thinking better—more
clear, more accurate, more defensible.”
Understanding Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking is the general term given to a wide range
of cognitive and intellectual skills needed to:

❖ Effectively identify, analyze, and evaluate arguments.

❖ Discover and overcome personal prejudices and biases.
❖ Formulate and present convincing reasons in support of
conclusions.
❖ Make reasonable, intelligent decisions about what to
believe and what to do.
Understanding Critical Thinking
The purpose of critical thinking is to achieve
understanding, evaluate viewpoints, and
solve problems. Since all three areas involve
the asking of questions, we can say that
critical thinking is the “questioning or
inquiry we engage in when we seek to
understand, evaluate, or resolve.”
SAY the COLOR, not the WORD!!!
Critical Thinking Components

COMPONENT DESCRIPTION
having the ability to take something apart
and examine the essential or constituent
ANALYSIS parts, and the relationships between the
parts.

For Example:

When you take your motorbike in for a service check, the mechanic
systematically does an analysis to determine the problem that needs to be
fixed. They are masters at taking things apart and putting them back
together.
Critical Thinking Components

COMPONENT DESCRIPTION
Is making an assessment or judgment
EVALUATING based on criteria, a set of standards, data,
or information.

For Example:

when you go to the doctor, he or she completes a number of vital signs tests,
looks at data and your records, and arrives at a judgment about the status of
your health.
Critical Thinking Components

COMPONENT DESCRIPTION
Is your ability to form a coherent and
logical argument, and to be able to use
reasons to justify your argument. It is the
REASONING
process of using your mind to consider
something carefully and to be able to
demonstrate that it is either true or false.

For Example:

lawyers use reasoning in the courtroom to convince a jury that the defendant
is either guilty or innocent.
Critical Thinking Components

COMPONENT DESCRIPTION
Is the ability to understand the root
causes of an issue or situation, consider
PROBLEM SOLVING alternative solutions, and arrive at a
decision about which solution is best to
address the problem.
For Example:

A sales team is brought together because sales have dropped 25% in the last
quarter. They need to work through a systematic problem solving process in
order to find a solution.
Critical Thinking Components

COMPONENT DESCRIPTION
is the ability to identify and choose a
DECISION MAKING course of action from alternatives, based
on values and preferences.

For Example:

When a young couple is buying their first house, they usually start with
determining the amount of money they have to spend. Then, they need to
consider location, size, and amenities. Typically, they end up having to
decide between House A and House B.
Critical Thinking Components
COMPONENT DESCRIPTION
having the ability to take something apart and examine the
ANALYSIS essential or constituent parts, and the relationships
between the parts.
Is making an assessment or judgment based on criteria, a
EVALUATING set of standards, data, or information.
Is your ability to form a coherent and logical argument, and
to be able to use reasons to justify your argument. It is the
REASONING process of using your mind to consider something carefully
and to be able to demonstrate that it is either true or false.
Is the ability to understand the root causes of an issue or
situation, consider alternative solutions, and arrive at a
PROBLEM SOLVING decision about which solution is best to address the
problem.
is the ability to identify and choose a course of action from
DECISION MAKING alternatives, based on values and preferences.
Critical Thinkers are able to: Low High
1 Evaluate information in a systematic way 1 2 3 4 5 6
2 Identify inconsistencies in others’ thinking 1 2 3 4 5 6
3 Understand the logical connections between ideas 1 2 3 4 5 6
4 Effectively solve problems & make informed decisions 1 2 3 4 5 6
5 Separate what is important & what is irrelevant information 1 2 3 4 5 6
6 Construct strong evidence-based arguments 1 2 3 4 5 6
7 View situations from different perspectives 1 2 3 4 5 6
8 Ask hard questions to challenge observations & assumptions 1 2 3 4 5 6
9 Interpret what information really means 1 2 3 4 5 6
10 Analyze ideas and arguments 1 2 3 4 5 6
11 Reach conclusions based on evidence 1 2 3 4 5 6
12 Assess whether people got the facts right 1 2 3 4 5 6
13 Identify misconceptions & gaps in their own reasoning 1 2 3 4 5 6
CRITICAL THINKING STANDARDS
Standards & Questions to Ask
Standards Questions
1. Can you elaborate on that point?
Clarity 2. Can you give me an example of what you mean?

1. How can we find out if this is true?

Accuracy 2. How can we check that out?
1. Can you be more specific or exact?
Precision 2. Can you give me more details on that point?

1. How does that point relate to this problem?

Relevance 2. How does this information help us?

1. Why is this problem difficult or complex?

Depth
2. What are some of the complexities of this issues?
Standards & Questions to Ask

Standards Questions

1. Do we need to consider other points of view?

Breath
2. Do we need to look at this issue in other ways?

1. Does this make sense?

Logic
2. Does what you say fit with the evidence?

1. Is this the most important problem to solve?

Significance
2. What is the central idea here?

1. Are we listening to the viewpoints of others?

Fairness
2. Do I have a conflict of interest here?
Paul, R., & Elder, L. (2006). Critical thinking concepts and tools. Dillon Beach, CA: The Foundation for Critical Thinking.
COMMON BARRIERS TO CRITICAL THINKING

❖ Lack of relevant ❖ Distrust of reasons

background
information ❖ Stereotyping
❖ Poor reading skills ❖ Scapegoating
❖ Poor listening ❖ Rationalization
skills ❖ Short-term thinking
❖ Bias ❖ Selective attention
❖ Superstition
❖ Overpowering
❖ Egocentrism emotions
❖ Peer pressure