Critical Thinking

Learn & Reflect

Name
Email
Send this form to yourself and discuss it with your advisor or coach.

Think about someone you consider to be a critical thinker. What qualities does he/she have?*

Now think about yourself. Which of these qualities do you possess?*

The issue I care deeply about is...*
complete the sentence
I want to learn to think critically about this issue so that I can...*
complete the sentence

In thinking about an issue I care deeply about, an example from the "hot" side of the spectrum would be:*
For that same issue, an example from the "cold" side might be:*
A balanced argument would likely include:*

During the next week I will try this strategy with the following article/chapter I need to read:*

Considering this strategy, I could express my thinking about the issue I care about as follows:*

In thinking about my next class discussion, I will look for an opportunity to ask the following questions:*

The habits of mind I would most like to cultivate this year are...*
because...*

I would like to explore the following practice strategy in more detail:*
- Use wasted time
- Redefine the way I see things
- Analyze group influences on your life
choose one for now.

My plan for integrating this strategy into my daily life is...*

What to Do

Step 1: Review the goals for the toolkit to see if this matches your interests.
Step 2: Enter your name and email if you want to send this to yourself or your advisers for discussion
Step 3: Advance the slides by clicking the next button under the slide and below the question.
Step 4: Reflect and respond to the questions and statements as required if you want to make the most of the toolkit.
Step 5: Click submit when you’ve completed the questions and review your responses.

Review and print the Critical Thinking Tips if you like and be sure to check the Go Further section for some additional resources on the topic!

Please tell us what you think of this toolkit. 4 questions-5 minutes!

Review

Top Five Strategies:

Examine Arguments

Use the spectrum of authority strategy. Strive for balance by noting the feelings, beliefs and cultural/societal influences of an argument (on the hot end) and the scientific influences on the cold end of the spectrum. Find a good balance of both. Review the Spectrum of Authority video on our YouTube Channel

Read for Understanding

Use the Text Coding Strategy.

Clarify Your Thinking

State one point at a time, elaborate, give examples, use analogies. Use the 8 elements of thought when thinking about the questions you need to raise in any line of thought or reasoning.

Practice a Strategy a Day

Use wasted time
Redefine the way you see things
Analyze group influences

Review all 9 strategies at:Critical Thinking in Everyday Life: 9 Strategies

Cultivate Habits of Mind

Download Critical Thinking Tips

Review the Basics of Critical Thinking

Review a Workshop Archive

Go Further

Get Extra Help

If you want one-on-one help to improve these skills, come talk to a Peer Academic Coach in the Chapman Learning Commons!

Coaching Hours

Coaches Corner will re-open in October 2012.

Coaching is free, and offered on a drop-in basis.

source: http://wiki.ubc.ca/Peer_Academic_Coaching_Hours
There are online and in-person workshop offerings on this topic.

Other Useful Resources

The Foundation for Critical Thinking has a wealth or resources and access to research on this topic.
For a self assessment quiz to help you learn about how you think and learn, go to Self-Assessment Quiz.
For a helpful guide to the reflection process, visit the Self Reflection Process
For an overview of the attitudes and competencies required for critical thinking, refer to this open educational resource developed by the University of Hong Kong Critical Thinking, Logic and Creativity.
For some more information and tips on approaches to support critical thinking, see Wikipedia’s critical thinking, and UBC’sMind Mapping Resources