Critical thinking is a learned skill. The instructor, fellow students,
and possibly others are resources.
Problems, questions, issues, values, beliefs are the point of entry
to a subject and source of motivation for sustained inquiry.
Successful courses balance the challenge of critical thinking with
the supportive foundation of core principles, theories, etc., tailored
to students' developmental needs.
Courses are focused on assignments using processes that apply content
rather than on lectures and simply acquiring content.
Students are required to express ideas in a non-judgmental environment
which encourages synthesis and creative applications.
Students collaborate to learn and stretch their thinking.
Problem-solving exercises nurture students' metacognitive abilities.
The development needs of students are acknowledged and used in designing
courses. Standards are made explicit and students are helped to learn
how to achieve them.