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INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING

The improvement of critical thinking (CT) in TSTC students is the primary goal for the college's quality enhancement plan (QEP). Throughout the reaffirmation process, strategies and goals have been set to focus on improving student's critical thinking.

One of the first projects for the college was building a CT framework. One piece of this framework is TSTC's definition of critical thinking. TSTC's definition of critical thinking is the ability to engage in the process of:

application,
analysis,
evaluation,
interpretation, and
synthesis
in order to make an informed decision

The other components to the college's CT framework, were CT student learning objectives and outcomes, and CT assessment rubrics. Figure 1 shows a 5-step framework that can be implemented in virtually any teaching or training setting to effectively move learners toward critical thinking depicting CT framework for any discipline.

Figure 1 Image: Limbach, Duran, Waugh (2006)

Listed below are the critical thinking (CT) resources that are available to faculty to assist in the implementation of CT into their departments.

Resource	Description	Link
Introduction to Critical Thinking Handout 1	Handout outlining the CT framework for TSTC.	Introduction to CT Handout
CT Rubrics	Handout with analytical and holistic rubrics to assess the CT framework for TSTC.	CT Rubric
Building Powerful CT Assignments	Handout to assist faculty build CT assignments in their departments.	Building CT Assignments
CT Students Learning Objectives and Outcomes	File showing the college's CT student learning objectives and outcomes to be used within course syllabi and course design documents maintained in TSTC's curriculum office.	CT Objectives and Outcomes
CT Department Flowchart	A flowchart depicting the process of incorporating CT into technical departments.	CT Flowchart
CT Department Update Report Form	Form used in the Program Assessment and Improvement Team (PAIT) process and reporting the progress of implementation of CT in departments.	CT Report Form
CT Strategies	A handout outline various CT strategies, especially for online discussions.	CT Strategies
CT Community Website	Website regarding further information on TSTC's CT Framework	CT Community

Student Critical Thinking Surveys

FOR HRPO 1311 STUDENTS

POST CRITICAL THINKING SURVEY

Complete this survey AFTER completing the critical thinking (CT) assignment.