Question 1

What will I actually learn in this critical thinking course?

Accepted Answer

You&#x27;ll learn how to approach professional problems more clearly and use a seven-step model to make better decisions. It starts with identifying the real issue and reframing it into a goal-oriented question, then builds into brainstorming options, weighing tradeoffs, and making a recommendation. You&#x27;ll practice that process on real situations by defining a problem with the 6Ws and testing your thinking through feedback.

Question 2

Do I need any background before starting this course?

Accepted Answer

No, you don&#x27;t need prior training in critical thinking or formal problem-solving methods. The course is beginner level and teaches the process step by step, from defining a problem to presenting a recommendation. Some experience with workplace or everyday challenges will help because many activities ask you to apply the framework to a problem you can actually influence.

Question 3

Is this course beginner-friendly for critical thinking?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it&#x27;s beginner-friendly if you want a clear method rather than an abstract treatment of critical thinking. The course breaks the work into manageable steps, with lessons, quizzes, discussions, and guided practice around problems, solutions, and feedback. If you&#x27;re looking for advanced theory or specialized analytical frameworks, it may feel more introductory than deep.

Question 4

How long does it take to complete this course?

Accepted Answer

It takes about 10 hours to complete. That makes it manageable over a few study sessions, with time spread across lessons, readings, quizzes, discussions, and practice assignments. The workload is varied, so you&#x27;ll alternate between learning the framework and applying it to example or personal problems.

Question 5

Are there hands-on exercises, projects, or labs in this course?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but the hands-on work is guided practice rather than a big project or lab-based course. You&#x27;ll define a problem you control, turn it into a clear question, brainstorm possible solutions, and compare the top options. There are also discussion prompts, quizzes, coaching activities, and practice assignments, so you apply each step as you learn it.

Question 6

What skills, topics, or methods are covered in this course?

Accepted Answer

The course centers on structured problem solving, critical thinking, and decision-making in professional settings. You&#x27;ll work on problem identification, reframing, brainstorming, evaluating advantages and disadvantages, and preparing recommendations that can stand up to questions and feedback. It also addresses collaboration and self-awareness, including how your own reactions can affect problem-solving conversations.

Question 7

What can I actually do after finishing this course?

Accepted Answer

By the end, you should be able to take a real problem and work through it with a repeatable process instead of relying on instinct alone. You&#x27;ll be able to define the issue, generate and compare options, and prepare a recommendation that anticipates likely questions or objections. For example, you could turn a vague team challenge into a clear question, evaluate three possible responses, and explain which one you&#x27;d recommend and why.

Question 8

Is this course more focused on theory or hands-on learning?

Accepted Answer

It&#x27;s more focused on learning a practical framework and applying it than on abstract theory alone. The course explains each step clearly, then reinforces it through quizzes, discussions, and guided assignments rather than a large independent project.

Question 9

Why would I choose this course over other critical thinking courses?

Accepted Answer

This course is a strong choice if you want critical thinking taught as a usable problem-solving process, not just as a set of general ideas. Diane Davidson builds the course around a seven-step model and carries it through problem definition, option analysis, recommendation, and feedback, with practice tied to situations you can actually work on. If you want a short beginner course that feels concrete and workplace-relevant, this one is likely a better fit than a more theory-heavy overview.