E40: Critical Thinking

Course Overview

CE Hours

3 CE Credits

Course Description

Critical Thinking examines the principles, skills, and practices of reflective reasoning in adult, professional, and educational settings. This course defines critical thinking, explores scientific investigation indicators from brainstorming through conclusions, reviews the consensus definition of critical thinking in nursing including its 10 habits of the mind and 7 cognitive skills, and examines research-based strategies for promoting critical thinking in the classroom. Learners will develop the ability to ask questions to determine the facts, analyze claims, evaluate the reliability of options, and infer the most reasonable conclusions.

Course Learning Objectives

At the end of this course, learners will be able to:

  1. Define critical thinking and explain its role in personal relationships, workplaces, political involvements, and responses to media
  2. Identify the four core activities of critical thinking, asking questions, analyzing claims, evaluating options, and inferring conclusions
  3. Apply scientific investigation critical thinking indicators across all stages, brainstorming, research, hypothesis, procedure, results, conclusions, and extensions
  4. Describe the 10 habits of the mind and 7 cognitive skills of critical thinking in nursing as identified by the international Delphi study
  5. Explain the role of classroom environment, teacher coaching, and wait time in developing critical thinking skills in students
  6. Describe how dissonance and conflicting ideas motivate students to engage in genuine critical thinking
  7. Identify best practices for promoting critical thinking in professional and educational settings
  8. Apply critical thinking principles to health care practice and professional decision-making

Course Format and Faculty

Course Format:

Online linked resources and lectures available anytime, 24/7. Includes one multiple-choice exam taken at the end of the course. A passing grade of 75% is required. Upon passing, learners may print their certificate immediately.

Course Developers and Instructors:

R. Klimes, PhD, MPH (Johns Hopkins University) is a scholar and author in health-related research, health behaviors, ethics, end-of-life care, and overall wellness. He has written numerous research reports and books and has held academic and leadership roles in higher education and public health internationally.

Course Time:

Approximately 3 hours for online study, test taking, course evaluation feedback, and certificate printing.