1. Thinking Critically: The Basis of a College Education

2. Your Turn
In your own words, define liberal education. Why would a “free” mind be an asset for you now and in the future?

3. What Is Critical Thinking and Why Is It Important?
The ability to think for yourself and to reliably and responsibly make the decisions that affect your life
Shoddy thinking can be costly
People who do not think for themselves tend not to have much control or possess any real power in business or society
Critical thinkers
Investigate problems
Ask questions
Pose new answers
Discover new information

4. Your Turn
On the basis of the explanation, how would you rate yourself as a critical thinker?

5. Becoming a Critical Thinker
Ask questions
Engage curiosity and question statements and assertions
Consider multiple points of view
Be fair and open-minded to all ideas
Draw conclusions
Examine the outcome of your inquiry in a more demanding, critical way

6. Your Turn
Think of a problem you had to solve in the past. How did you do it? How can you draw on that experience to improve your ability to solve academic problems?

7. Your Turn
Imagine that your state has just approved a license plate design incorporating a cross and the slogan “I Believe.” Almost immediately, a number of organizations begin protesting that this is a violation of the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. What kinds of questions will you ask to get at the truth?

8. How Collaboration Fosters Critical Thinking
Having more than one student involved in the learning process generates a greater number of ideas
Can happen not only face to face, but also over the Internet
Collaborative weblogs
Teamwork improves ability to think critically

9. Your Turn
If you have never worked with a study group, now is the time to try it and discover how much more learning can take place in a shorter period of time. How do you think you could benefit from joining a study group? What reasons might you give for not joining one?

10. Thinking Critically about Arguments
Challenge assumptions
Some assumptions should be examined more thoughtfully
Helps to gain better understanding
Examine the evidence
Be careful to check that the evidence supporting an argument is of the highest possible quality
Beware of logical fallacies
Make sure that an argument hasn’t been compromised by faulty reasoning

11. Your Turn
What, if anything, is wrong with making decisions purely on the basis of your emotions?

12. Your Turn
Have you ever used any fallacies to justify a decision? Why was it wrong to do so? Can you think of other errors of logic that might push you farther from the truth?

13. Critical Thinking in College and Everyday Life
Practice critical thinking so it can become a natural part of your life
Not only in your academic work but also in your everyday interactions with friends and family
Use critical thinking to figure things out instead of depending on how you feel or what you’ve heard

14. Your Turn
Suppose you’re shopping for a surround-sound system. One good friend urges you to buy the top of the line. Another well-meaning friend steers you to a different brand, claiming it’s just as good as the more expensive brand leader. Now all you know is that two of your good friends have offered information that might or might not be true. How do you think critically about which system to choose?

15. Tech Tip: Research Wisely
How to evaluate the types of information found on the Web
Portals
News
Corporate and marketing
Informational
Blogs
Wikis