It is difficult to find unbiased news these days (it is out there, you just have to look and be cautious). The biggest problem we have had over the last several years is omitted news and information as well as an unprecedented amount of censorship on many platforms. You have to use discernment and common sense and take time looking for correct information. It is important, as college students preparing to function effectively in the world, that you try to have a full scope of what is really going on, not just opinions and agendas. The loudest opinions are not always the correct information. Please use critical thinking when hearing "information" and search for the full story yourself, rather than letting people and news outlets dice and splice stories for you. Always look for what is NOT reported. To that end, use critical thinking in your posts, assignment submissions, and general thinking. Always wonder about the other side, whatever that side is. Always ask a lot of questions. Always wonder what you're missing. Be curious. Always.

Note:

For those of you who have had my online classes before and have done this assignment, please use this as a reflection on the strides you have made in your critical thinking skills. I look forward to hearing about your progress. For those of you who are new to my classes, put some time in to this assignment and try to focus on truly understanding what critical thinking is, and how you will incorporate it into your life.

Critical Thinking Defined

Critical thinking means making reasoned judgments that are logical and well thought out. It is a way of thinking in which you don't simply accept all arguments and conclusions you are exposed to but rather have an attitude involving questioning such arguments and conclusions. It requires wanting to see what evidence is involved to support a particular argument or conclusion. People who use critical thinking are the ones who say things such as, 'How do you know that? Is this conclusion based on evidence or gut feelings?' and 'Are there alternative possibilities when given new pieces of information?'

Additionally, critical thinking can be divided into the following three core skills:

1. Curiosity is the desire to learn more information and seek evidence as well as being open to new ideas.
2. Skepticism involves having a healthy questioning attitude about new information that you are exposed to and not blindly believing everything everyone tells you.
3. Finally, humility is the ability to admit that your opinions and ideas are wrong when faced with new convincing evidence that states otherwise.

Tara, DeLecce. "What Is Critical Thinking? - Definition, Skills & Meaning."Study.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 24 Oct. 2016.

The following article was originally written for Pearson's Critical Thinking Blog - September 2010:

https://silvalizzie.wordpress.com/2011/07/06/6-powerful-characteristics-of-great-critical-thinkers/Links to an external site.

6 Powerful Characteristics of Great Critical Thinkers:

Links to an external site.We spend so much time discussing what critical thinking is and how to do it that we often overlook an important conversation: what skills do good critical thinkers have?

I believe there are 6 characteristics needed to be a great critical thinker.Sure there may be more, but together these are powerful. Do you have them?

1. Curiosity. Allow yourself to be curious. Great critical thinkers tune into their desire to continue learning and understanding how things work. Be inquisitive about anything and ask questions others may have but don't ask.

2. Humility. Great critical thinkers understand that their ideas may not be the best and that they do not know everything. I once had a fortune cookie that told me, "knowledge comes from being humble" - that once you accept that you don't know everything you're more likely to continue your search for answers.

3. Ability to research. Don't have an answer? Aren't satisfied with an answer? Does something sound a little off? The ability to research things and bring in multiple credible resources will unveil a lot.

4. Active Listening. Don't just hear what others have to say, engage in conversation.

5. Objectivity. Great critical thinkers have the ability to remain objective. They understand the goal, stay focused and don't let their emotions (or others') cloud their judgment.

6. Creativity. Allow yourself to be creative. Brainstorming without judgment can spark amazing ideas. Thinking outside the box may create a solution. Sometimes denying ourselves this freedom holds us back more than we'd like to think.

You may critically think and not possess one or more of these powerhouse characteristics. You may even be a good critical thinker and not possess some of these. Or you may value other characteristics and skill sets more. But take a moment and recognize the benefits these offer. Now think of the people you believe to be great critical thinkers. Do they have these characteristics? My guess is yes. Evaluate yourself - do you have these powerhouse characteristics?

ASSIGNMENT:

Answer the following question: How will you apply critical thinking skills to your online discussions?

Make sure you post directly under this instruction box. Align your comments with additional online resources, research, and/or experiences.Your answers should be at least 2 paragraphs (each paragraph should be 5-6 sentences).

A substantive post will consist of critical thinking and original ideas, as well as provide interesting and relevant information. Please, no "canned responses." Any quotes from outside sources need to be in addition to the required 2 paragraphs.