These exercises were written to accompany a course in critical thinking. The exercises are divided into five sections: the scientific approach, argumentation, causal arguments, testing causal claims, and common errors in critical thinking.
These exercises use the 2018 General Social Survey (GSS) and a statistical program, Survey Documentation and Analysis (SDA), which was written at UC Berkeley. Both the GSS and SDA are freely available wherever you have an internet connection. There is a brief introduction to SDA at the end of the exercises.
Type of Material:
Series of exercises to develop skills in critical thinking.
Recommended Uses:
Individual, group, homework, in class, practice. There are several ways you could utilize these exercises. Each of the exercises is independent of the other exercises which means that you could pick and choose whichever exercises are most appropiate for your class. Or you could use the exercises in their entirety. You may want to add to or delete from materials within these exercises. You have permission to make changes, additions, and deletions as you think best.
Technical Requirements:
Internet browser (chrome used for this review)
Identify Major Learning Goals:
To develop critical thinking skills.
To learn how to connect research design and critical thinking.
Tp provide practice in critical thinking in research.
To understand how to test causal claims.
Target Student Population:
High School, College General Ed, College Lower Division, College Upper Division, Graduate School, Professional
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Introductory course in the social sciences. Some understanding of data, graph and table reading would be helpful.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
A large amount of content is provided. The content starts with simple concepts and works up to more complex ones. The course is well designed to allow the instructor to teach concepts and examples of critical thought process which would prepare students for appreciation of the scientific method. Very complete content using several resources available to all students.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Each exercise is independent and can be used as it applies to your course. You can use the entire set of exercises or choose those that apply to your course. Exercises begin with a brief exercise and then provide an assignment to develop your skills.
Concerns:
Learning objectives are left to the user.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Presentation of material and layout moves from the simple to the more complex. This makes it easy to integrate them into one’s own curriculum. Instructions are clear and the layout is consistent from exercise to exercise. The site was updated within the last year.
Concerns:
Navigation is a bit unclear.
Creative Commons:
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