Essential Learning Outcome:

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving (CTPS)

Definition:  Critical thinking is the process of identifying, analyzing, interpreting, and evaluating   arguments, data, evidence, problems, and conclusions as part of formulating an opinion or conclusion.  Problem Solving, which involves critical thinking, is the process of designing, evaluating and implementing a strategy to achieve a desired outcome.

EXPECTATIONS FOR STUDENT LEARNING

Students must demonstrate knowledge of and/or skill in three out of the seven criteria:

1. Using evidence and data to explain academic or/and real world problems.
2. Stating and describing comprehensively, an issue or problem to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for full understanding.
3. Interpreting and evaluating information taken from source(s) in order to develop a comprehensive analysis or synthesis. Viewpoints of experts are questioned thoroughly.
4. Developing conclusions and related outcomes (consequences and implications) that are logical and reflect student’s informed evaluation and ability to place evidence and perspectives discussed in priority order.
5. Proposing one or more solutions/ hypotheses that indicate a deep comprehension of the problem.
6. Evaluating a solution, considering the history of problem, logic/reasoning behind the solution, the feasibility of the solution, and the impacts of the solution.
7. Implementing a solution in a manner that addresses thoroughly and deeply multiple contextual factors of the problem.

 Sample Activities or Assignments

• Students are given a portfolio of information about a social problem and asked to write a report recommending specific actions and clarifying costs, benefits and other implications. [Criteria 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

• Students are presented with a problem and asked to develop and compare technical solutions [Criteria 2, 5, 6]

• Students are asked to examine a case student for a clinical problem and provide and compare a range of solutions. [Criteria 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

• Students are asked to make the case for adding funds for public higher education. [Criteria 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

• Students are asked to implement and evaluate a program that will address the needs of a social agency [Criteria 1 – 7]