Teaching Critical Thinking, Session Two: Problem Solving and Decision Making

Want to help your students with problem solving and decision-making? This workshop distinguishes between simple and complex problems and presents the basic steps to problem solving and decision-making. You will explore strategies for helping your students apply critical thinking to their lives both in and out of the classroom.

GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Goal

The goal of this workshop is to extend instruction beyond the textbook into the critical thinking areas of problem solving and decision making. Instructors will be provided with information and strategies to help learners with tools for work and everyday life.

Objectives

By the end of Session Two, participants will be able to:

1. Distinguish between simple and complex problems;
2. Identify the steps of the problem-solving process;
3. Explain the relationship between critical thinking and problem solving;
4. Explain the continuum of problem solving and decision-making;
5. Identify socio-cultural influences on decisions; and
6. Plan classroom instruction that reflects the most adequate decision-making processes, based on research.