Online Class: Developing Critical Thinking Skills

Offering more than just knowledge, this course reshapes your thinking to navigate complex information landscapes with precision and confidence. By integrating emotional intelligence, it elevates your communication and interaction skills, ensuring ethical and impactful problem-solving.

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$120.00 (with CEU Certificate)
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  • 15
    Lessons
  • 22
    Exams &
    Assignments
  • 5
    Hours
    average time
  • 0.5
    CEUs
 
 
 

Course Description

Imagine a world where your mind is your most powerful asset, slicing through the noise of everyday complexities, discerning truth from illusion, and empowering you to make the most informed, intelligent decisions in every facet of your life. Welcome to "Developing Critical Thinking Skills," a transformative journey that transcends traditional online education, offering you more than mere knowledge�it's about altering your perspective and sharpening your intellectual edge.

From the very first moment of this course, you will embark on an immersive expedition into the depths of critical thinking, a skill more vital today than ever before. Picture a life where you can effortlessly navigate through an ocean of information, confidently identifying and challenging assumptions that may restrict your growth and vision. Whether you're a seasoned professional aiming to enhance your strategic prowess or a student yearning to refine your analytical capabilities, here lies the key to unlocking your fullest potential.

What sets this course apart from others is its unique narrative, guiding you through each module with a personalized, conversational approach that feels less like a lecture and more like an exploration with a trusted mentor. You'll delve into the art of analyzing arguments and evidence, developing a discerning eye that empowers you to evaluate sources of information with precision and confidence. This isn't just about acquiring skills�it's about transforming how you think, perceive, and interact with the world around you.

Imagine the empowerment that comes from understanding and avoiding logical fallacies, allowing your arguments to be not only compelling but unshakeable. Moreover, the course invites you to cultivate an open-minded perspective, embracing the richness of differing viewpoints and fostering a mindset ripe for innovation and collaboration. As modern challenges require modern solutions, you'll find yourself increasingly adept at problem-solving with creativity and flair, making effective decisions that propel you toward your aspirations.

But this is not where your journey ends; it's where it truly begins. You will learn to intertwine critical thought with emotional intelligence, balancing logic with empathy, and transforming not just your communication skills but your interactions and relationships as a whole. This unique integration of emotional insight is one of the gems that distinguishes our course, ensuring that your critical thinking prowess is both powerful and humane.

In a world where ethics often seem overshadowed by expedience, building a foundation for ethical reasoning equips you to rise above, making choices that are both reasoned and principled. Here, you become a beacon of integrity, applying critical thinking to real-world situations where your judgments resonate with fairness and clarity.

As our world becomes increasingly saturated with information, the ability to discern credible sources is paramount. This course will arm you with strategies for thriving amidst information overload, ensuring not just survival but success in navigating complex digital landscapes. You'll enhance your ability to communicate with clarity and impact, leveraging your skills to articulate ideas persuasively and precisely.

Throughout each module, you'll find a course content rich with interactive opportunities, enabling you to directly apply your newfound skills to real-world scenarios. Each lesson is designed to resonate deeply, not just on an intellectual level but also on a personal one, nurturing an intellectual curiosity that spurs lifelong learning and growth.

Join us and step into a community of like-minded individuals, all committed to cultivating a higher standard of thinking, challenging what is known, and forging new paths in personal and professional arenas. The tools and insights you'll gain here aren't just benefits�they're your essential arsenal for a future of limitless potential.

"Developing Critical Thinking Skills" isn't just a course; it's a transformative experience defining your journey toward a more thoughtful, informed, and empowered life. Are you ready to embrace your next evolution? The time to unlock your mental mastery is now. Enroll today and redefine what's possible.

  • Completely Online
  • Self-Paced
  • 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

Lesson 1. Understanding the Foundations of Critical Thinking

Understanding the Foundations of Critical Thinking 21 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-1-Activity-17205.pdf
  • Lesson discussions: Reasons for Taking this Course
  • Complete: Lesson 1 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 1 Review Exam

Lesson 2. Identifying and Challenging Assumptions

Identifying and Challenging Assumptions 11 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-2-WorkSheet-17207.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 2 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 2 Review Exam

Lesson 3. Analyzing Arguments and Evidence

Analyzing Arguments and Evidence 14 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-3-Activity-17209.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 3 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 3 Review Exam

Lesson 4. Evaluating Sources and Credibility

Evaluating Sources and Credibility 21 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-4-Downloadable-17211.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 4 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 4 Review Exam

Lesson 5. Logical Fallacies and How to Avoid Them

Logical Fallacies and How to Avoid Them 21 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-5-Downloadable-17213.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 5 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 5 Review Exam

Lesson 6. Cultivating an Open-Minded Perspective

Cultivating an Open-Minded Perspective 15 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-6-WorkSheet-17215.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 6 Review Exam

Lesson 7. Problem Solving with Critical Thinking

Problem Solving with Critical Thinking 19 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-7-Activity-17217.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 7 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 7 Review Exam

Lesson 8. Effective Decision Making through Critical Analysis

Effective Decision Making through Critical Analysis 17 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-8-Activity-17219.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 8 Review Exam

Lesson 9. Creative Thinking and Its Role in Critical Analysis

Creative Thinking and Its Role in Critical Analysis 20 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-9-WordSearch-17221.pdf
  • Complete: Lesson 9 Activity
  • Assessment: Lesson 9 Review Exam

Lesson 10. Developing Intellectual Curiosity

Developing Intellectual Curiosity 18 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-10-HomeWork-17223.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 10 Review Exam

Lesson 11. The Role of Emotions in Critical Thinking

The Role of Emotions in Critical Thinking 20 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-11-Activity-17225.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 11 Review Exam

Lesson 12. Building the Foundation for Ethical Reasoning

Building the Foundation for Ethical Reasoning 19 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-12-WorkSheet-17227.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 12 Review Exam

Lesson 13. Critical Thinking in an Information-Heavy World

Critical Thinking in an Information-Heavy World 20 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-13-Activity-17229.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 13 Review Exam

Lesson 14. Enhancing Communication with Critical Thinking

Enhancing Communication with Critical Thinking 10 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-14-WordSearch-17230.pdf
  • Assessment: Lesson 14 Review Exam

Lesson 15. Applying Critical Thinking to Real-World Situations

Applying Critical Thinking to Real-World Situations 20 Total Points
  • Review Practice Worksheet: Lesson-15-Downloadable-17231.pdf
  • Lesson discussions: End of Course Poll; Course Comments
  • Assessment: Lesson 15 Review Exam
266
Total Course Points
 

Learning Outcomes

By successfully completing this course, students will be able to:
  • Recognize and mitigate cognitive biases, such as confirmation bias, to improve critical thinking skills and make more balanced and rational judgments.
  • Interpret and analyze various elements of critical thinking, including evaluation and inference, to enhance problem-solving abilities and make informed decisions.
  • Apply strategies to mitigate cognitive biases, particularly confirmation bias, by actively seeking disconfirming evidence to enhance objective decision-making and problem-solving skills.
  • Demonstrate the ability to identify and question underlying assumptions in complex statements or arguments, utilizing techniques such as the 'Three-C Method' (Challenge, Clarify, Confirm).
  • Define and differentiate between deductive, inductive, and abductive reasoning in given scenarios by providing specific examples.
  • Evaluate the strength and credibility of evidence in a provided argument by identifying appropriate types of evidence, potential bias, and logical coherence.
  • Demonstrate the ability to recognize and analyze potential biases in sources by examining funding, language cues, and publication contexts, ensuring a comprehensive evaluation of information.
  • Identify and evaluate the authority and expertise of different sources by assessing credentials, affiliations, and peer-review processes to determine their reliability and trustworthiness.
  • Demonstrate the ability to construct clear, logical arguments by avoiding common logical fallacies and supporting claims with relevant evidence.
  • Recognize and identify at least three different logical fallacies in written or spoken arguments, analyzing their impact on argument credibility.
  • Define cognitive bias and explain its impact on decision-making by citing examples of confirmation bias, anchoring effect, and availability heuristic in diverse contexts.
  • Demonstrate strategies to counteract cognitive biases by actively engaging with diverse perspectives and practicing metacognitive reflection to enhance critical thinking and judgment.
  • Define the core problem by utilizing the 'Five Whys' technique to uncover underlying causes in a business scenario, such as declining sales.
  • 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: Developing Critical Thinking Skills
Course Number: 57700810
Languages: English - United States, Canada and other English speaking countries
Availability: Enroll in this course from any U.S. state, including California, Texas, Florida, New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Ohio, and Georgia. The course is also accessible to learners in English-speaking countries such as the UK, Canada, Ireland, Australia, and South Africa.
Last Updated: January 2025
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.
Course Type: Curriculum-Based, Online Class
Instructional Method: Self-Paced, Asynchronous
Assessment Method: End of lesson review exams and course final exam
Course Fee: $120.00 U.S. dollars

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