course_package

Critical Thinking 101 - Course Package

Course Overview

This comprehensive course is designed to bridge educational gaps in critical thinking skills that are often overlooked by traditional schooling. The course focuses on practical skills essential for thriving in the 21st century, particularly in navigating information, making sound judgments, and engaging thoughtfully with complex issues.

Course Structure

  • Total Duration: 3 hours
  • Format: 10 lessons, each 20 minutes long
  • Style: Text-based with suggestions for interactive elements and infographics
  • Tone: Slightly irreverent and conversational to keep material engaging

Course Contents

Introduction

  • Introduction to Critical Thinking

Core Lessons

  1. Recognising Assumptions: The Invisible Foundations of Thinking
  2. Evaluating Evidence: Separating Fact from Fiction
  3. Spotting Logical Fallacies: Common Reasoning Errors
  4. The Art of Questioning: Asking What Matters
  5. Understanding Cognitive Biases: The Shortcuts That Trick Our Minds
  6. Analyzing Arguments: Structure, Strength, and Validity
  7. Critical Thinking in the Digital Age: Navigating Information Online
  8. Emotional Intelligence in Critical Thinking: Managing Biases and Triggers

Capstone

  • Putting It All Together: Critical Thinking in Action

Supplementary Materials

Checklists

  • Introduction Checklist
  • Lesson 1 Checklist: Recognising Assumptions
  • Lesson 2 Checklist: Evaluating Evidence
  • Lesson 3 Checklist: Spotting Logical Fallacies
  • Lesson 4 Checklist: The Art of Questioning
  • Lesson 5 Checklist: Understanding Cognitive Biases
  • Lesson 6 Checklist: Analyzing Arguments
  • Lesson 7 Checklist: Critical Thinking in the Digital Age
  • Lesson 8 Checklist: Emotional Intelligence in Critical Thinking
  • Capstone Checklist: Putting It All Together

Cheat Sheets

  • Introduction Cheat Sheet
  • Lesson 1 Cheat Sheet: Recognising Assumptions
  • Lesson 2 Cheat Sheet: Evaluating Evidence
  • Lesson 3 Cheat Sheet: Spotting Logical Fallacies
  • Lesson 4 Cheat Sheet: The Art of Questioning
  • Lesson 5 Cheat Sheet: Understanding Cognitive Biases
  • Lesson 6 Cheat Sheet: Analyzing Arguments
  • Lesson 7 Cheat Sheet: Critical Thinking in the Digital Age
  • Lesson 8 Cheat Sheet: Emotional Intelligence in Critical Thinking
  • Capstone Cheat Sheet: Putting It All Together

Templates

  • Critical Thinking Analysis Worksheet
  • Decision-Making Framework

Implementation Notes

  • Each lesson is designed to be completed in approximately 20 minutes
  • Checklists and cheat sheets can be provided to learners as downloadable resources
  • Templates are intended for practical application of critical thinking skills
  • Graphics and interactive elements should be added during implementation to enhance engagement
  • A survey link should be provided at the bottom of each lesson for learner feedback