UndergradSkiller: Skill Set Map for Undergraduates and Their Educators

CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM-SOLVING: Critical Thinking

Introductions to Critical Thinking

These resources introduce the basic principles and habits of critical thinking for students.

Useful Resources on Introductions to Critical Thinking:

University of Leeds. (n.d.). Critical thinking at university: An introduction. FutureLearn. https://www.futurelearn.com/courses/critical-thinking-at-university

Annotation: This introductory-level course covers what it means to think critically at university and how critical thinking applies across disciplines. Includes perspectives from academics and students in multiple subject areas.

Agoos, S. (n.d.). 5 tips to improve your critical thinking [Video]. TED-Ed. https://ed.ted.com/lessons/5-tips-to-improve-your-critical-thinking-samantha-agoos

Annotation: Short animated video presenting a five-step process for applying critical thinking to everyday decisions. The lesson page includes comprehension questions, discussion prompts, and further reading.

Wilberding, E. (n.d.). This tool will help improve your critical thinking [Video]. TED-Ed. https://ed.ted.com/lessons/this-tool-will-help-improve-your-critical-thinking-erick-wilberding

Annotation: Short animated video introducing the Socratic Method as a technique for critical thinking, tracing its origins and demonstrating how systematic questioning can be used to examine assumptions and arguments.

Peer Review: None

Table of contents:

3.1. Critical Thinking

3.1.1. Introductions to Critical Thinking

3.1.2. Developing Thinking Skills

3.2. Critical Reading and Analysis

3.3. Analysis and Argumentation

3.4. Critical Reasoning

3.5. Synthesis

3.6. Problem-Solving and Design Thinking
3.6.1. Problem-Solving
3.6.2. Design Thinking

3.7. Research Methods
3.7.1. Research Design
3.7.2. Research Ethics

3.8. Data Literacy
3.8.1. Understanding Data
3.8.2. Computational Thinking
3.8.3. Statistical and Numerical Analysis

3.9. Curiosity and Creative Thinking
3.9.1. Creative Exercises
3.9.2. Understanding Curiosity

 

Author: Leeanne Irwin

Peer Reviewer(s): None