Critical Thinking: A Guide to Skillful Reasoning

What is Critical Thinking?

 

Critical thinking is a way of examining any subject or problem with mindfulness. By reflecting on your thoughts, paying attention to others’ perspectives, gathering evidence to support ideas, and recognizing the shortcomings of your thinking, you can expand your understanding of complex issues. Critical thinking allows you to open your mind in search of answers to the challenges in your academic work and profession as well as your interpersonal life.

 

The Association of American Colleges and Universities provides a simple definition that outlines the key characteristics of Critical Thinking:

 

"Critical Thinking is a habit of mind characterized by a thorough exploration of issues, ideas, artifacts and events before forming an opinion or conclusion," (AACU, n.d.).

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Critical Thinking Infographic and Guide

 

The Critical Thinking Guide to Skillful Reasoning and Infographic offer
students an approach for applying critical thinking skills in discussion
boards and assignments. It is also intended as a tool for faculty when
helping students expand their critical thinking skills. The Critical

Thinking Guide can be used sequentially, moving through Steps 1
through 6, or it can be used diagnostically, to increase specific skills
when increasing rigor and critical thinking in the classroom.

 

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About the Materials

 

The materials found here support both students and faculty apply

Critical Thinking in the classroom. The Critical Thinking Infographic

and Guide are the main components. Additional materials support

critical thinking in all classroom activities in the form of predeveloped

weekly announcements and badges.

 

All materials are also provided in a downloadable format

 

References

Association of American Colleges & Universities (AACU). (n.d.). Critical thinking value rubric. https://www.aacu.org/value/rubrics/critical-thinking#:~:text=Definition,formulating%20an%20opinion%20or%20conclusion.

 

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