Critical Thinking

Critical thinkers look at things quite differently from non-critical thinkers. How many of us can identify which method we are using when we look at how we approach life, ask questions, or express our curiosity about things? In this session, we will define critical thinking, explore the characteristics of critical thinkers, and consider how to increase the capacity for critical thought.

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 all approach things differently, even if you come up with the same results. In this session, we will learn about left and right brain thinking and explore the concept of whole brain thinking.

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, we will learn about identifying and resolving common barriers to critical thinking and decision making.

Most people have some things in life that they approach quite systematically. Perhaps they have a method for how they approach their workday, balance their bank account, or plan a holiday. Critical thinking is similar, as a process is applied and the steps worked through. In this session, we will take an in-depth look at a critical thinking model and apply what you are learning to a case study.

Thinking critically sometimes involves creativity and making connections that are not always immediately evident. In this session, we will complete an activity that will stimulate everyone’s critical and creative thinking processes.

Some people ask deep, thought-provoking questions that require the person answering to consider things. Others must work at asking those types of questions and getting to the heart of the matter. In this session, we will learn about open and closed questions, using probes, and becoming more critical about the way we approach questions.

The way we present information has a significant impact on how people view what we are saying. Having a way to clearly present yourself can help you express your ideas. In this session, we will learn about explanations, arguments, and the explanation building process.

We assume a lot. We assume that the earth will continue to revolve around the sun, 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, we will learn about assumptions and how they can help in our everyday world, as well as how they need to be evaluated.

Some people do not 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, we will learn about critical and creative thought systems, including methods to help us think creatively.

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, we will get some hands-on practice presenting and communicating our ideas in a range of situations.