Module Code - Title:
PO6132
-
INTRODUCTION TO CRITICAL THINKING AND PROBLEM SOLVING
Year Last Offered:
2026/7
Hours Per Week:
Grading Type:
N
Prerequisite Modules:
Rationale and Purpose of the Module:
The module is being developed to contribute to the UL@work suite of professional diplomas and to the Masters in Professional Pracice. It is widely recognised that critical thinking and problem solving are essential skills in the the workplace of the 21st Century. This online module will introduce participants to critical thinking and its relationship to problem solving and and will encourage them to reflect on how they can improve their capacity for critical thinking and how this can help them address workplace and other problem solving scenarios.
Syllabus:
This module has four core components designed to introduce participants to critical thinking and its relationship to problem solving. The module will
i. Introduce what is meant by critical thinking and problem solving and the relationship between them
ii. Challenge the way we think and approach problem solving
iii. Identify and analyse 'real world' problem dilemmas through a critical thinking lens
iv. Stimulate and facilitate reflection on participants' approaches to critical thinking and problem solving in the workplace
Learning Outcomes:
Cognitive (Knowledge, Understanding, Application, Analysis, Evaluation, Synthesis)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of core concepts about critical thinking and problem solving, including problem understanding, the role of evidence, and the influence of bias / assumptions on decision making.
- Apply these core concepts to enable reflection of students own experiences and practices of thinking, analysis and problem solving
- Analyse the relationship between critical thinking and more effective problem solving, particularly as it applies to the workplace
Affective (Attitudes and Values)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
- demonstrate an appreciation of the nature and impact of their own approaches to 'thinking and problem solving in the workplace
- demonstrate how their approaches to decision making and problem solving may have changed over time
- recognise the need for a more complex and intellectually challenging approach to decision making and problem solving
Psychomotor (Physical Skills)
On successful completion of this module, students will be able to:
How the Module will be Taught and what will be the Learning Experiences of the Students:
The module content has been developed following a review of best practice in the delivery of critical thinking education and problem based learning. Delivery will include asynchronous lectures, moderated and peer reviewed e-tivities and interactive tutorials. The module will include a substantial component of facilitated, group based, problem oriented discussion that will allow for closer collaboration and peer learning between and within the online student cohort. This module is directly aligned the the UL graduate attributes given its core focus on collaborative working and on creative and knowledgeable problem solving.
Prime Texts:
Paul, Richard and Elder, Linda (2019)
The Miniture Guide to Critical Thinking Concepts and Tools,
, Rowman and Littlefield
Dwyer, Christopher P. Hogan, Michael J., Steward, Ian (2014)
An integrated critical thinking framework for the 21stcentury,
, Thinking Skills and Creativity 12 (2014) 43-52
Butterworth and Thwaites (2013)
Thinking Skills: Critical Thinking and Problem Solving 2nd Ed.
, Cambridge University Press
Halpern and Dunn (2021)
Critial Thniking: A model of Intelligence for Solving Real World Problems
, Journal of Intelligence 9, 22.
Moore, Tim (2013) (2013)
Critical thinking: seven definitions in search of a concept
, Studies in Higher Education, 38:4
Other Relevant Texts:
Programme(s) in which this Module is Offered:
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR COMPUTER VISION
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN CLIMATE ADAPTION AND SUSTAINABILITY
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN DATA ANALYTICS
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN DATA COMMUNICATIONS
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN LAW AND TECHNOLOGY
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN NATURAL LANGUAGE PROCESSING
PROFESSIONAL DIPLOMA IN OT SECURITY OPERATIONS SPECIALIST
Semester(s) Module is Offered:
Spring
Module Leader:
chris.g.mcinerney@ul.ie