This week’s topics
Foundations of Critical Thinking
- Defining critical thinking in higher education
- Importance of criticality in knowledge creation
- Distinguishing description from critical analysis
- Identifying cognitive bias and unexamined assumptions
- Critical Thinking Workshop
- Writing - from descriptive to critical
- Critical Writing
What you will be able to do
- 3.1 Explain what is meant by the term ‘critical thinking.’
- 3.3 Explain why critical thinking is important in academic research.
Activity
Start with this week’s 3 videos, then: Seminar, guided reading and a short written task: explain what is meant by the term ‘critical thinking.’
Study materials
Videos
- Critical Thinking Workshop · YouTube · Southampton Academic Skills Service · 33 min · for registered students
- Writing - from descriptive to critical · YouTube · Manchester Metropolitan University · 6 min · for registered students
- Critical Writing · YouTube · University of Staffordshire Student Life · 8 min · for registered students
- Critical Thinking - Alex Edmans · YouTube · Gresham College · 64 min · for registered students
Further resources
- College Success, 7.3–7.4: Analytical and critical thinking · PDF · OpenStax, textbook chapter; pp. 208–213 · for registered students
- Thinking critically about critical thinking and problem-based learning in higher education · PDF · ERIC, article · for registered students
- Writing Guide, 8.1: Information and Critical Thinking · PDF · OpenStax, textbook chapter; pp. 242–243 · for registered students
Materials marked “for registered students” open in the student portal, which is set up as soon as you receive final acceptance.
