In a global survey conducted across 82 countries, 93% of teachers agreed that nurturing critical thinking skills in students is important to thrive in a 21st-century workplace. However, only 21% of teachers believed they had the materials to support students in developing critical thinking skills. The lack of proper critical thinking training across schools and universities is a global phenomenon.
However, critical thinking is one of the most highly sought-after skills in new hires. Critical thinking, often defined as the “strategic engagement of one’s cognitive skills to reach a specific outcome,” helps businesses make the right judgment calls. It helps individuals make the right decisions that can impact their lives for decades.
To make up for the lack of exposure to critical thinking in academic life, professionals today are investing in critical thinking training. They are enrolling in online courses that facilitate engagement around critical thinking and offer the right tools to build this skill into their work and personal lives. Whether you’re a gig worker, a consultant, a researcher, an entrepreneur, or an employed professional, you can benefit by applying critical thinking in various contexts.
Critical thinking deconstructed
We live in a world where tons of data is churned out every day. Data is not powerful by itself. However, it is a powerful tool when effectively leveraged. When we apply critical thinking to make sense of the data, we tap into our ability to think reasonably while detaching from bias, responding in an emotional way, and falling prey to groupthink opinions.
Another aspect of critical thinking is the time allocated to making judgment calls, especially when the stakes are high. It encourages us to make well-informed ones that come with a full sense of awareness. However, this aspect is tricky. In the case of an emergency and time is of the essence, we need to think critically yet, swiftly.
This is where critical thinking training plays a key role in exposing us to the various tools and frameworks we can use to apply logic and intuition, work with the data at hand and execute in a timely manner.
Benefits Of Online Critical Thinking Training
By 2022, the online learning market is projected to exceed US$ 243 billion! Investments in building online learning have greatly elevated the quality and value of online learning.
One can learn literally any subject in a highly engaging manner from the best faculty. This mode has broken down the barriers of borders, and hence, one can learn from experts around the world.
Secondly, one has the flexibility to learn at one’s own pace through video programming and community engagement with peers. Hence, unlike traditional lecture-based programming, online learning encourages self-study and builds curiosity and engagement.
By design, this learning approach is geared to bring the best out of critical thinking training.
Choose a credible online course
There are a slew of online courses out there today. So, how do you distinguish the gems from the duds? The first step is to evaluate the legitimacy of the platform. Is it backed by credible founders and a founding team?
Two, does the program offer key modules that help you build critical thinking skills? For instance, a superior course covers the ladder of inference, an approach designed to help you get a deeper understanding of how people process information. It also covers aspects like the CAFE framework, which trains you to ask relevant questions that help you build a deeper understanding of issues, as well as the Circle of Competence, a framework designed to help you objectively identify your strengths as well as limitations.
Three, check whether your critical thinking training course offers a certification. Showcasing certifications on your LinkedIn profile and resume demonstrates your commitment to consistently building critical skills.
Stay relevant
In the age of automation, hundreds of skills are being automated every day, making millions of jobs redundant. However, critical thinking is one of a few skills that are unlikely to be automated anytime soon. Perhaps never. Hence, investing in building your critical thinking skills can keep you relevant for a long time to come. Learning via online courses makes the journey engaging, convenient and exposes you to a network of peers on a similar growth path. And since critical thinking skills can be applied across a wide range of professional and personal contexts, critical thinking training is a great investment in your future, earning rich dividends over time.