The Fall Semester Course Has Been Cancelled.
Check back for information on the spring course...

Learn the foundations of critical thinking while incorporating them into your classes...

During Spring, 2011, The Foundation For Critical Thinking will be offering part one (of a two-course series) for faculty interested in developing their understanding of critical thinking and their ability to bring it into the foundation of instruction.

Academic Credit Will be Offered Through Sonoma State University
3 semester units of graduate level credit. Credit available in Philosophy or  Nursing (please specify when registering). Click here for more information about credit.

(registration limited to 15 Students per class session).

Registration fees include costs for all instructional materials. Instructional materials for each course will be mailed to each student upon registration for the course. If the course is dropped any time after the post marked date for instructional materials, then any refunded fees will not include material cost of $135.00.

• First day of instruction: TBA
• Last day to drop with full registration refund minus cost of materials: TBA
• Last day to drop with prorated registration fees: TBA
• Last day of instruction: TBA

The purpose of our online courses is to provide teachers of any subject or field, teaching at any level (elementary through graduate school), the opportunity to acquire an in-depth, hands-on understanding of how to use the tools of fair-minded critical thinking as the basis for classroom planning, instruction, and learning.

Questions

How do the critical thinking online courses work?

Each course is taken separately, but dovetail to deepen your understanding of critical thinking while you are fostering it in the classroom. See course descriptions below for CT 700.

Once registered for the course, you can log in at any time, however you will not see the syllabus until the first week of class.  You may look through the tools and acquaint yourself with the site and read the How To Guide.  You may log in to the class any day and time to participate once class starts, but will have assignments due by a set day and time per week. 

Who will be teaching the courses?

The courses are taught by Dr. Enoch Hale, who has years of experience working with teachers as well as a deep understanding of the foundations of critical thinking and how to effectively bring critical thinking into instruction. Dr. Hale uses innovative strategies for online course delivery.

Dr. Enoch Hale is a Fellow of the Foundation and Center for Critical Thinking.   With ten years experience in teaching high school social studies courses emphasizing critical thinking, Dr. Hale brings a wealth of experience to the critical thinking online course. Recognizing the importance of placing critical thinking at the heart of instruction early on in his teaching career, Dr. Hale took an incremental but systematic approach to bringing critical thinking theory and practice into his classes.  He is highly skilled in designing lessons that fulfill state standards.  He holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Studies, a MA in Liberal Arts and Science, a BA in Social and Intellectual History. 

What are the course costs?

The cost for each course depends on whether you sign up for academic credit or not. The basic course cost, for each course, without academic credit, is $942. For academic credit information see the next question.

How do I receive academic credit for the course?

Each course is being offered for 3 units of academic credit through Sonoma State University in Northern California. Sonoma State is a fully accredited university (www.sonoma.edu). For more information about academic credit, click here. Once the course is completed, and all work has been completed and turned in, you will be able to access your grade online (should you decide to sign up and pay for these units). It is not necessary to sign up for academic credit.

Do I have to take both courses?

You may choose to take only one of the two courses, but completion of CT 700 is a prerequisite for taking CT 701. We strongly suggest that you take both courses, as the courses work together to foster deep understanding of critical thinking and effective methods for fostering it in the classroom - throughout the year.

Will I receive a certificate of completion?

Once the course is complete, you will be able to download your certificate of completion online.

How will I receive my materials for the class?

Once you register, we will send you the course materials. Costs for this are included in the fee of $942.

Register right away, as only two courses will be offered each semester, with approximately 15 students per course. Registration is now open for the fall courses, which begin August 26, 2009.  New teachers can register for CT700, returning teachers can register for CT701. Click Here to register online now

Course Descriptions

CT 700 (level one): Introduction to Critical Thinking for Instruction and Learning introduces the theory and application of critical thinking to classroom instruction. It fosters understanding of how to teach critical thinking skills to students through any subject, discipline, or grade level (while working within given curricula). In this course, you will be introduced to the Elements of Reasoning, the Universal Intellectual Standards, and the Intellectual Traits through readings, discussions and practical application activities. Designing critical thinking lessons and remodeling already existing lessons to infuse critical thinking are skills that will be covered in depth. Learning and practicing specific strategies for concept attainment, Socratic discussions, and ethical reasoning are also a focus of this course. Emphasis in lesson planning will be on having students consciously use critical thinking concepts and strategies. You will teach lessons you develop in your own classes and receive credit for doing so!

Not offered this semester CT 701 (level two): Critical Thinking for Instruction and Learning examines critical thinking for instruction and learning, presenting a new perspective for educational practitioners. The purpose of this course is to provide teachers with the intellectual tools needed to create and sustain effective school and classroom learning environments. The point of view taken here is that we do not merely want students to become skilled thinkers, but rather, to become fair-minded skilled thinkers who look at learning and life from an ethical perspective. To accomplish this, the course will feature an inquiry approach in which you will be engaged in reflective thinking in several ways: first, you will reflect upon your own thinking about specific concepts and issues; second, you will reflect upon the thoughts and viewpoints of fellow classmates; and third, you will reflect upon the ideas of selected experts in the field. Essential ideas will be presented in the Instructional Notes through readings and visuals. Opportunities to examine and reflect upon fellow classmates' viewpoints concerning questions, scenarios, and ideas will be made through the Discussion Board. Additional online links will allow for posting of original, creative work utilizing the various methods and strategies for fostering critical thinking which are the focus of this course.

Academic Credit

The following choices are available for academic credit:

Phil 590-3 units (graduate level units)
Nurs 800-3.0 CEU units

Fees for Academic Credit

For philosophy units, the fee is $150. For nursing units, the fee is $50 per unit.

Cancellation Policy

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