Critical Thinking Courses
What is critical thinking?
Critical thinking skills are a vital part of problem-solving and decision-making. People analyze facts to come to a conclusion, and the better critical thinking abilities we have, the better decisions we can make.
Good thinking helps us more than just in everyday life. Higher-order thinking skills are often required for employment positions, and analytical skills can help college students excel in higher education.
The critical thinking process is more than just analysis. Some tools and strategies provide the foundation for critical thinking, and these key concepts create well-rounded students, employees, and citizens.
Featured Critical Thinking Courses
Learn critical thinking skills
The edX platform offers online courses designed in partnership with leading thinkers and institutions from around the world. Students learn with a global cohort of peers on their own schedule. Most courses are available for free for personal growth, but students can also explore official credit for a fee.
edX offers course credits, certifications, and micro-degrees. Students can also explore full undergraduate and graduate degrees delivered from accredited universities.
Critical thinking skills courses and certificates
Students can participate in quite a few critical thinking courses through the edX platform. The University of Queensland offers a course called Philosophy and Critical Thinking. The course introduces the development of critical thinking in philosophy and the underpinnings of reasoned judgment. Students learn about different aspects of critical thinking through the use of philosophical theory from great thinkers like Socrates.
The University of Queensland also has a course called The Science of Everyday Thinking. The course explores how reflective thinking enables humans to make real-world decisions. Learners will define critical thinking and understand how to apply thinking skills to everyday life.
The Smithsonian Institute offers a course, Teaching Critical Thinking through Art with the National Gallery of Art. It's designed for educators looking to develop young critical thinkers. Students learn "artful thinking routines" and build reflective thinking based on the analysis of famous works of art.
Developing critical thinking skills
edX offers students a path to solid critical thinking skills through philosophical explorations and real-world subject matter. These courses can help students identify biases, perform inductive and deductive reasoning, and consider possible solutions from different points of view.
edX can help students prepare for making high-stakes decisions through educational programs that make decision-making skills clear. Students may encounter challenging employment or personal life situations, and these courses offer training for the best decision-making possible.