The ability to think critically and creatively is vital in today’s workplace – as a high value is placed on innovation. Balancing critical and creative thought stimulates new ideas and problem-solving while also evaluating feasibility. This course is ideal for anyone in business, government or the creative industries.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving is a professional development course that will expand your creative thinking skills while simultaneously improving your ability to think critically in the workplace and everyday life.
When you undertake this professional development course, you will learn the techniques to develop critical and creative thinking. You will also learn to challenge ideas and assumptions, present solutions that justify decision-making processes and understand legislative requirements relating to workplace practices.
You will also discover environments that encourage critical and creative thinking, learn to facilitate learning opportunities, provide feedback, and monitor and improve critical and creative thinking practices in the workplace.
On completion of this course, you will feel confident to deliver stronger problem-solving solutions in the workplace while leading others to develop their critical and creative thinking skills.
Course Structure
Unit 1 - Apply critical thinking skills in a team environment
- Addressing a workplace problem
- Teams and problem solving
- Organisational frameworks
- Legislative frameworks
- Identify key issue/problem
- Problem solving procedures
- Questions and challenges
- Key stakeholders
- Consultation
- Solutions for workplace problems
- Critical thinking that helps generate problem solutions
- Team decision making
- Developing options
- The problem solving process
- Communication/explanation
- Criteria for assessing the suitability of options
- Evaluate solutions and make a selection
- Finalise and review solution
- Presenting solution to stake holders
- The critical thinking process
- Responding to challenges and questions
- Feedback
- Critical thinking learnings (individuals and teams)
Unit 2 - Apply critical thinking to work practices
- Key characteristics of critical thinking
- Situations in which critical thinking should be applied
- Creative thinking
- Using critical thinking
- Generating sounds problem solutions
- Thinking well
- Applying critical thinking practices
- Benefits of critical thinking
- Critical thinking and leadership skills
- How critical thinking helps people
- Analysing the limitations of existing and proposed work practices
- Stakeholders’ opinions and ideas
- Using critical thinking for problem solving
- Develop a proposal for the solution/s
- Present a solution and justify the decision-making process
- Reviewing decision making practices in the work area
- Feedback on your use of critical thinking
- Identify areas for self-development
- Continuous improvement
- Legislative requirements
- Different forms of legislation
Unit 3 - Develop critical thinking in others
- Research models of critical and creative thinking
- Critical and creative thinking models
- Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Model
- First principle thinking/concepts/mental models
- Skills gaps
- Approaches to instruction on critical and creative thinking methods
- Facilitate learning opportunities for addressing gaps
- The learning environment/learning organisations
- Articulate key features
- Key features and concepts
- Environments that encourage critical and creative thinking
- Analyse current system to identify gaps or barriers
- Safe workplaces
- Opportunities for team members to apply critical thinking skills
- Providing feedback on performance tasks
- Monitoring and improving thinking practices
- Identify additional support for teams and individuals
- Recommendations for improved learning
- Additional learning
- Forms of legislation
Unit 4 - Develop and apply thinking and problem solving skills
- Problem solving in the workplace
- Question types and styles
- Rhetorical questions
- Ways to solve problems
- Brainstorming and mind mapping
- Lateral thinking and observation
- Outcome evaluation and review
- Collaborate and share ideas on problem solving
- Identify challenges and problem solving
- Assessing the suitability of options
- Selecting a workplace issue to resolve
- Structuring questions on an issue
- Developing questions
- Questionnaires and interviews
- Documenting question responses
- Active listening
- Problem solving techniques
- Problem solving processes
- Improvements to the problem-solving process
- Problem solving skills
- Seeking feedback
Study Hours
Estimated duration 60 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
Tutors are very quick to assess work and provide useful feedback
K. Ross, Melbourne, VIC | Certificate of Critical Thinking
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development for anyone in business, government or the creative industries.
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