A Critical Thinking Workshop Workshop designed by Lynn Carpenter, Patricia Smith, and Sheree Greer Funded by CETL/Critical Thinking Institute – St. Petersburg College Facilitated by Sheree Greer with support from Bridgette O’ Donnell, Annie McGregor, and WOW
“To be a role model for my child.” “To get skills for a better job.” “To make more money.” “To be a.” “To figure out what I want to do with my life.” “To fulfill my dream of going to college.”
“My parents said I need to either go to school or get a job.” “Everyone says it’s what I’m supposed to do after high school.” “I tried it before. I’m going to do better this time.” “I need a better job.” “Two words: Refund. Checks.” “This is how you make more money.”
The question, “What Was I Thinking?” implies reflection. Reflection invites evaluation and consideration, the hallmarks of critical thinking. Answering the question, “What Was I Thinking?” requires acknowledgment. Decision dictates movement, whether forward or backward.
1. What is Critical Thinking? 2. Learning from Our Personal and Shared Experiences? 3. Understanding, Maintaining, and Changing Our Habits 4. Goal-Setting and Life-Planning 5. Working Instead of Worrying: Solution-based Thinking 6. Plans for Success
Critical thinking defined… Sharing is caring… What I’ve Always Always Done…
Evaluation of content Reflection on paradigm shifts Identification of skill sets Intention to continue skill sets
Final sessions will focus goal-setting, planning, and solution-based thinking Possible Solutions versus The Answer: A lesson in connotation Visualization as a technique for meeting challenges, evaluating options, and finding solutions Managing deviations from the vision: reflect, reset, and return
Brainstorm a short list of goals for the remainder of the semester Choose one from the list Visualize yourself completing the goal – remember that all goals are made up of smaller tasks, visualize the tasks that go into your main goal Free-write the steps included in your visualization