TAGBILARAN CITY COLLEGE

College of Business and Computer Studies

Tagbilaran City, Bohol

Course Code ENG 1 Instructors Guene Maverie Dayan

Course Title Study and Thinking Skills Email [Link]@[Link]

Course Credits 3 Units Contact Number 09455061900
Course Classification Communication Arts 1 Consultation Hours 8:00-5:00
Pre-Requisite(s) None Consultation Venue Faculty Room 3

INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING

Duration of Delivery: September 1 – 5, 2025

Due Date of Deliverables: September 5, 2025

Intended Learning Outcomes:

a. To define critical thinking.
b. To identify the characteristics of a critical thinker.
c. To distinguish critical thinking in the classroom and in the workplace and their benefits.
d. To value the importance of critical thinking for effective learning.
e. To apply the principles and characteristics of critical thinking to evaluate real-life scenarios and formulate
reasoned decisions.

Whether you are watching television, listening to a speech, explaining an idea, or writing an academic
paper, you're constantly processing information. Developing critical thinking skills such as analyzing,
applying, and evaluating ideas that enhances your ability to think clearly and make sound decisions
both in school and in life.

• Critical thinking is the ability to think clearly and rationally, understanding the logical connection
between ideas.
• Critical thinking might be described as the ability to engage in reflective and independent thinking.
• Critical thinking is thinking about things in certain ways to arrive at the best possible solution in
the circumstances that the thinker is aware of. In more everyday language, it is a way of thinking
about whatever is presently occupying your mind so that you come to the best possible conclusion.
Characteristics of a Critical Thinker
• Critical thinkers are those persons who can move beyond “typical” thinking models to an advanced way of
thinking. Critical thinkers produce both more ideas and improved ideas than poor thinkers (Ruggiero, 2012). They
become more adept in their thinking by using a variety of probing techniques which enable them to discover new and
often improved ideas. More specifically, critical thinkers tend to see the problem from many perspectives, to consider
many different investigative approaches, and to produce many ideas before choosing a course of action. In addition,
they are more willing to take intellectual risks, to be adventurous, to consider unusual ideas, and to use their imagina-
tions while analyzing problems and issues.
• Critical thinkers test their first impressions, make important distinctions among choices, and base their
conclusions on evidence rather than their own feelings. Sensitive to their own limitations and predispositions, they
double-check the logic of their thinking and the workability of their solutions, identifying imperfections and complica-
tions, anticipating negative responses, and generally refining their ideas.
• Critical thinkers learn to focus. They do not experience fewer distractions than others do; they simply deal with them
more quickly and more effectively than ineffective thinkers do. There is no magic in what effective thinkers do. They
practice their skills much like any learned skill.

Critical thinkers typically (Ruggiero, 2012): Non-critical thinkers, typically (Ruggiero, 2012)
Acknowledge personal limitations. See a limited number of perspectives (sometimes
just one)
See problems as exciting challenges. Take the first approach that occurs to them
Have understanding as a goal. Judge quickly—maybe too quickly and not critically
Use evidence to make judgments. Fail to listen actively
Are interested in others’ ideas. Resist change
Are skeptical of extreme views. Think in stereotypes
Think before acting. Deceive themselves often
Avoid emotionalism
Keep an open mind
Engage in active listening

As noted earlier, critical thinking is an oft-used phrase in classroom settings. Adult learners are encouraged to develop
these skills and practice them situationally. Critical thinking means reviewing the ideas produced, making a tentative decision
about what action will best solve the problem or what belief about the issue is most reasonable, and then evaluating and refining
that solution or belief (Ruggiero, 2012). The effects of developing keen problem solving skills cannot be understated. Problem
solving skills have the potential to impact individuals more immediately and often with ramifications for the future. Those who
attend to the notion of improving these skills are characterized in some important ways listed in the table below as posited by
Ruggiero, 2012).
Acknowledging that critical thinking is an important skill is fundamental. Critical thinking can be taught and should be
taught in a direct manner providing students with practice while evaluating and testing ideas. Critical thinking is not a natural
byproduct of taking college courses, even courses whose subject matter necessitate critical thinking for success. In Developing
Critical Thinkers, Stephen Brookfield (1987) emphasizes that “a willingness to risk experimentation in one’s teaching is an
important aspect of modeling change and promoting critical openness in learners” (p.81). To that end, educators influence
whether a student will learn critical thinking skills in their academic journey.
Benefits of Critical Thinking for the Classroom
Instructors who teach critical thinking provide students with the opportunity to understand and take charge of their
learning. Students who implement critical thinking skills approach the courseware in a more thoughtful and effective manner,
ask more challenging questions and participate in the learning process more intensely.
Students who develop critical thinking skills often practice those skills well into latter life. These skills may, in fact, change their
lives forever. Developing critical thinking abilities translates to both academic and job success. Using these skills, students tend
to expand their perspectives from which they view the world and increase their ability to navigate the important decisions in
learning and in life.
Today it is important that students learn critical thinking skills, so they can be both the inventors and the critics of the
new information. Edward de Bono (2004) in de Bono’s Thinking Course writes, “Knowledge is not enough. The creative,
constructive, design and operating aspects of thinking are just as important as knowledge” (p.6).
A caution is in order here. To develop critical thinkers is to develop both the best and worst in thinking. Those who
master critical thinking--a long and winding path-- may at first use their newly found skill in a negative way.
It is prudent to remember that to thinking critically is not to criticize in a negative manner but rather to “think deeply or
to question.” According to Michael Roth (2013) “In a humanities culture in which being smart often means being a critical ‘un-
masker,’ our students may become too good at showing how things don’t make sense. ” The goal of critical thinking is to learn
a way to think more deeply, solve problems better, communicate, collaborate and innovate more effectively in our personal as
well as organizational lives.

Critical Thinking in the Workplace

Why is critical thinking important in the workplace?
Critical thinking is applicable whenever people are called to decide or resolve a problem. Working people make
decisions. Some are good decisions that move the business forward and increase profit. Others are poor decisions that hurt
the business and reduce profit. This is a frequent occurrence in workplaces at any level.
Management and upper-level executives are not the only ones who have the responsibility of making decisions; decision
making and problem solving are a constant in organizations. Each person in an organization or business, no matter what their
position, makes hundreds of decisions every day and each one is an opportunity for success or failure.

Benefits of Critical Thinking in the Workplace

Critical thinking in the workplace has the potential to impact people either in a negative or positive way through the
decision-making process. Often decisions are made and passed along to people within organizations without much thought
based on the need to take some action. In this case, the impact for “normal” actions may be harmless based on daily routine.
But for critical issues/ problems, “bad” decisions can negatively impact or render a serious blow to the business. To mitigate
the risk of serious negative consequences, it is important to make decisions by carefully weighing them based on information
that has been thoroughly analyzed, evaluated and searched for the most reasonable solution.
The practice of critical thinking encourages employees and managers to observe various situations, weigh all possible
solutions, then decide on a course of action. This process can be a lengthy one that necessitates input from multiple sources
at different levels within the organization. Using critical thinking skills is a benefit for employees as well as management when
the practice is modeled and promoted from the top to the bottom of the organizational hierarchy (Anderson, 2013
Benefits of advancing critical thinking are more than a “nice” thing to do. This skill can literally improve the profits and
capabilities of employees. Given the ability to apply critically enhanced thinking, companies/organizations can expect a different
quality of corporate culture. That improved culture may translate into dollars or more revenue in the long run or improved
personal communications, cooperation and collaboration in the short run. Potential organizational impacts of critical thinking
are suggested in the chart.
 Critical thinking brings new ideas and often processes to the workplace. For example, when approaching a problem-
solving issue surface in the workplace, a common reaction is to assume that it falls into a predetermined category. Critical
thinking does not make any assumptions, and using the process of critical thinking in the workplace removes the temptation to
immediately classify every issue under something that has happened in the past. Employees can look beyond conventional
solutions, search for new ideas, and contemplate the alternatives to address the problem. Using critical thinking as an approach
to problem solving, issue resolution or new products or processes can liberate thinking in many different ways. Additionally,
critical thinking looks at the impact beyond a specific step in the decision process, i.e., if step one changes in a decision, then
the follow-on steps need to be examined critically as well. This approach to thinking opens possibilities that may otherwise lie
unfolded.

Sources:
Forlini, G. et al. (2004). Grammar and Composition. Jurong Singapore: Pearson Prentice Hall
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