Online Class: Critical Thinking Skills

This course is intended for those who are interested in gaining a basic sense of thinking and developing their cognitive abilities, to better their lives as individuals, and to make them better and stronger employees, team members, and leaders.

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$120.00 (with CEU Certificate)
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  • 12
    Lessons
  • 12
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 2,455
    Students
    have taken this course
  • 5
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.5
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Unlocking the Power of the Mind: Navigating Critical & Creative Thought

The realm of thought is vast, complex, and intriguing. Each one of us has the inherent capacity to think, yet the quality and depth of our thoughts can vary immensely. Welcome to our course, where we delve into the intricate dance between critical and creative thinking, setting the stage for you to elevate your cognitive prowess and harness the full potential of your mind.

Dive Deep into Thought Patterns:
Our journey begins with understanding the core of critical thinking — a process that demands clarity, depth, logic, and precision. Imagine weaving through patterns of information, seamlessly connecting them, to either solve intricate puzzles, decipher complex concepts, or birth innovative ideas. By probing the foundations of viewpoints, the biases and data that shape them, we illuminate the path to rational, informed decision-making.

The Dual Faces of Thought:
While individual thinking offers introspection and personal insight, group-based thinking harnesses collective intelligence. Both come with their unique advantages and challenges. Through engaging modules, discover how to extract value from both paradigms while navigating their potential pitfalls. Moreover, our sessions on strategic and scenario planning arm you with tools to forecast, strategize, and create future roadmaps.

Fostering Creativity:
Creativity isn’t just about art or innovation. It's about envisioning possibilities, connecting disparate dots, and curating solutions. Learn what fuels creativity, the wonders it can weave, and practical strategies to nurture it within you.

The Pitfalls of Modern Education:
While modern education has empowered us with vast knowledge, there's a missing piece – the art of critical thinking. Traditional schooling often emphasizes memorization over true understanding, leaving us ill-equipped to apply knowledge pragmatically. Our course seeks to bridge this gap, introducing you to techniques that move beyond rote learning to stimulate analytical and logical reasoning.

Why This Course Matters:
In today’s world, where misinformation can spread rapidly and decisions carry significant consequences, critical thinking is not just a skill – it's a necessity. It's what differentiates a passive receiver of information from an active, discerning participant in discourse. Whether you aim to enhance personal decision-making, elevate your professional contributions, or emerge as a more dynamic leader, mastering critical thinking is pivotal.

To draw from an analogy, possessing knowledge without the ability to critically assess it is akin to owning a treasure chest but lacking the key to unlock it. Knowledge becomes transformative only when paired with astute thought processes.

Your Gateway to Advanced Thought:
While this course establishes a robust foundation in critical and creative thinking, it's also your springboard to more advanced explorations. It's crafted for beginners, ensuring they're well-equipped to delve into more profound literature and courses in the future.

In essence, "Unlocking the Power of the Mind" is more than a course; it's an odyssey into the depths of human cognition. Join us, as we chart a course through the mesmerizing maze of the mind, empowering you to think, reflect, and innovate like never before.

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • Printable Lessons
  • Full HD Video  
  • 6 Months to Complete
  • 24/7 Availability
  • Start Anytime
  • PC & Mac Compatible
  • Android & iOS Friendly
  • Accredited CEUs
Universal Class is an IACET Accredited Provider
 
 

Course Lessons

Average Lesson Rating:
4.5 / 5 Stars (Average Rating)
"Extraordinarily Helpful"
(938 votes)

Lesson 1: Introduction to Critical Thinking

10 Points
Critical thinking is thinking done with depth, clarity, logic, and precision. Additional lesson topics: Critical Thinking: A User's Manual; THINK Critically 2nd Edition MyThinkingLab Series
  • Lesson 1 Video
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete Assignment: An Introduction
  • Assessment: Exam 1

Lesson 2: Types of Reasoning Skills

10 Points
Reasoning skills are those skills that allow an individual to approach a problem, understand how to solve it, and then apply certain cognitions to arrive at a viable solution. Additional lesson topics: Types of Reasoning; Deductive and Inductive Arguments: What's the Difference?
  • Lesson 2 Video
  • Assessment: Exam 2

Lesson 3: Clear Thinking, Critical Thinking, and Clear Writing

0 Points
Critical thinking can lead to clearer thinking and clearer writing. Additional lesson topics: Principles of Clear Writing
  • Lesson 3 Video

Lesson 4: Persuasion

10 Points
The goal of persuasion is to convince an individual or an entity regarding an idea, concept, opinion, or perspective.
  • Lesson 4 Video
  • Assessment: Exam 4

Lesson 5: Types of Inductive Arguments

8 Points
Inductive arguments work to apply what is known about objects or concepts, to those objects and concepts that are unknown. Additional lesson topics: Examples of Inductive Reasoning
  • Lesson 5 Video
  • Assessment: Exam 5

Lesson 6: Types of Reasoning (moral, legal, aesthetic, etc.)

10 Points
Reason is applying critical thinking and conscious thought to establish and verify evidence, based on either new or existing information. Additional lesson topics: Moral, Legal and Aesthetic Reasoning; Conditional Reasoning; Syllogistic Reasoning
  • Lesson 6 Video
  • Assessment: Exam 6

Lesson 7: How to Inspire Critical Thinking in Teams and Organizations

10 Points
In order to foster critical thinking in teams and organizations, creativity needs to be cultivated. Additional lesson topics: Sparking Creativity in the Workplace
  • Lesson 7 Video
  • Assessment: Exam 7

Lesson 8: Techniques for Sparking Ideas, Solving Problems

10 Points
A major issue people have is not having the confidence in their ability to be creative, come up with ideas, and solve problems.
  • Lesson 8 Video
  • Assessment: Exam 8

Lesson 9: Defining Problems and Making Decisions

10 Points
How you approach an issue and begin to solve it can affect the entire implementation process. Additional lesson topics: How to Evaluate Problem Solving in a Business
  • Lesson 9 Video
  • Assessment: Exam 9

Lesson 10: Using Teams to Think Critically and Problem Solve

10 Points
Though solitary thinking is effective in solving problems, working in groups to generate ideas and solutions can be very beneficial, not only in the kinds of ideas generated, but also in helping those involved retain the information better. Additional lesson topics: What Are the Benefits of Critical Thinking in the Workplace?; Examples of Using Critical Thinking to Make Decisions in the Workplace
  • Lesson 10 Video
  • Assessment: Exam 10

Lesson 11: Strategic Planning and Scenario Planning

10 Points
For many organizations and companies, scenario planning is a very helpful technique that allows strategy to be discussed, especially when there is critical uncertainty in the future environment. Additional lesson topics: Five Steps to a Strategic Plan
  • Lesson 11 Video
  • Assessment: Exam 11

Lesson 12: Exploring Your Personal Critical and Creative Thinking Skills

48 Points
Following through questionnaires, and going through exercises designed to test your skills, is a first step in determining what your creative and critical strengths and weaknesses are.
  • Lesson 12 Video
  • Lesson discussions: How would you rate this course?; Course Comments; Program Evaluation Follow-up Survey (End of Course)
  • Assessment: The Final Exam
146
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Define critical thinking is.
  • Describe types of reasoning skills.
  • Recognize clear thinking, critical thinking, and clear writing.
  • Describe persuasion.
  • Describe types of inductive arguments.
  • Summarize how to inspire critical thinking in teams and organizations.
  • Summarize techniques for sparking ideas, solving problems.
  • Summarize defining problems and making decisions.
  • Describe how to use teams to think critically and problem solve.
  • Summarize strategic planning and scenario planning.
  • Describe your personal critical and creative thinking skills.
  • Demonstrate mastery of lesson content at levels of 70% or higher.
 

Additional Course Information

Online CEU Certificate
  • Document Your Lifelong Learning Achievements
  • Earn an Official Certificate Documenting Course Hours and CEUs
  • Verify Your Certificate with a Unique Serial Number Online
  • View and Share Your Certificate Online or Download/Print as PDF
  • Display Your Certificate on Your Resume and Promote Your Achievements Using Social Media
Document Your CEUs on Your Resume
 
Course Title: Critical Thinking Skills
Course Number: 8900333
Lessons Rating: 4.5 / 5 Stars (938 votes)
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Available across all 50 U.S. states, this course includes key regions such as California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also open in major English-speaking countries, including Australia, Canada, the UK, and Ireland.
Last Updated: December 2023
Course Type: Self-Paced, Online Class
CEU Value: 0.5 IACET CEUs (Continuing Education Units)
CE Accreditation: Universal Class, Inc. has been accredited as an Authorized Provider by the International Association for Continuing Education and Training (IACET).
Grading Policy: Earn a final grade of 70% or higher to receive an online/downloadable CEU Certification documenting CEUs earned.
Assessment Method: Lesson assignments and review exams
Instructor: UniversalClass Instructional Team
Syllabus: View Syllabus
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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Student Testimonials

  • "The course caused me to think about the subject, realizing that critical thinking is a changing field, it seems, with various aspects of it applicable to different scenarios." -- Richard E.
  • "This was very helpful and more challenging than I expected. Took me several months to complete because my job is demanding and this forced me to focus and retain - which is good. Thank you." -- Almira D.
  • "Very helpful. I feel more confident approaching anything coming at me knowing that taking the time to do critical thinking is an important step before making any decision." -- Wendy L.
  • "This course was great. Thank you for its development." -- Kolleen D.
  • "Great course. Thank you." -- Jay M.
  • "It was marvelous!" -- Cesar P.

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