Critical Thinking
This means thinking carefully about what you should believe or do instead of automatically accepting information.
What is critical thinking?
You don't understand an assignment. This person should probably be your first stop.
Who is my professor/instructor?
Your roommate says, “My cousin said professors can't fail more than 20% of their class.” What should you do before believing it?
Verify it using a reliable/official source.
This is where you should regularly check assignments, grades, announcements, and due dates.
What is Blackboard/the LMS?
You wake up late and will be 10 minutes late to class. Better choice: skip or go?
Go to class.
Before believing a claim online, ask this question about where the information came from.
Who is saying it?/What is the source?
You studied for hours but earned a 48% on the exam. Name ONE productive next step.
Review mistakes, meet with the professor, tutoring, change study method, etc.
Your roommate says, “My cousin said professors can't fail more than 20% of their class.” What should you do before believing it?
Verify it using a reliable/official source.
True or False: Sending an assignment by email is always acceptable if you can't figure out how to submit it online.
False—check the professor/course policy and ask for help.
You missed class. What's a better first step than asking, “Did I miss anything important?”
Check Blackboard/course materials, then ask specific questions.
You're asking yourself, “Why do I keep missing assignments even though I know they're due?” This is an example of this module concept.
What is metacognition/thinking about your thinking?
You have three assignments due tomorrow. Before randomly choosing one, you should consider things like due time, importance, time required, and this.
What is priority?
A TikTok creator, a random blog, and a government website all make different claims. Name ONE thing you should evaluate when deciding which is credible.
Author/authority, evidence, date, purpose, sources, etc.
Your professor hasn't answered an email you sent two hours ago. What's the best response?
Wait and check the professor's stated response-time policy.
Missing one assignment turns into avoiding Blackboard for two weeks because you're embarrassed. What is the biggest mistake?
Avoiding the problem instead of addressing it early.
“Everyone in my group believes it, so it must be true.” The module says critical thinking should NOT involve this kind of thinking.
What is group thinking/blind acceptance?
You currently have a 62% with six weeks left. Name TWO pieces of information you need before deciding whether you can pass.
Remaining assignments, their point values/weights, attendance policy, current missing work, opportunities to recover points, etc.
A website looks extremely professional. Does that prove its information is credible? Explain.
No. Appearance doesn't establish credibility; evaluate the author, evidence, sources, purpose, date, etc.
Name TWO ways your phone can be a useful college tool rather than a distraction.
Calendar, reminders, Blackboard, email, timer, notes, flashcards, etc.
You've missed several classes and are embarrassed to return. What's the most productive move?
Return to class and communicate with the professor rather than continuing to avoid it.
Name three questions from our critical-thinking checklist that you can ask when evaluating a claim.
What's happening? Why is it important? What don't I see? How do I know? Who is saying it? What else? What if?
SCENARIO: You have a 58%, two missing assignments, an exam Friday, and you work Wednesday and Thursday. Give a reasonable three-step plan.
Answers vary but must prioritize, communicate, and create a realistic plan/time schedule.
Someone posts, “I saw a study that proves college students who skip class actually get better grades.” Give TWO questions a critical thinker should immediately ask.
Who conducted the study? Where was it published? How many students? What does it actually say? Is the source credible? etc.
SCENARIO: You forgot an assignment because you “didn't know it was due.” Name THREE technology tools/habits that could prevent this from happening again.
Blackboard notifications, calendar, phone reminders, planner app, checking LMS daily, etc.
FINAL BOSS: A student says, “I'm just bad at college.” Turn that statement into a question that could actually help solve the problem.
Answers vary: “What specifically am I struggling with?” “Which habits are hurting my grades?” “What could I change this week?” etc.