how to improve critical thinking apps

25 Critical Thinking Apps For Extended Student Learning

Critical thinking is widely misunderstood. Apps that promote it can be hard to find. Here are 25 critical thinking apps to get you started.

What Are The Best Critical Thinking Apps For Extended Student Learning?

by TeachThought Staff

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read more about affiliate policy here.

Critical thinking apps aren’t the sweet spot of mobile app design.

Most of the more popular apps are focused on social media, productivity, or what always seem to be mindless games. The fact that most apps  don’t  force users to think critically doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible, however. The lack of cognitively demanding apps is more of an indictment of the users than the technology itself.

There are many apps that do promote critical thinking–and often extended critical thinking and learning at that. These aren’t clinical ‘critical thinking building’ programs either, but rather often enjoyable exercises in strategy, tactics, and problem-solving thought. So below, we’ve collected 25 of these critical thinking apps. Most are for grades 8-12, but several are for students as young as kindergarten.

See also What Is Critical Thinking?

Helping students think critically is less a matter of direct instruction, and more a matter of providing them with access to dynamic tools with unique and playful barriers or goals that require the best strategy they can muster, while providing instant feedback to the player as they go. Though they’re not learning specific academic content in most of these apps, they are practicing extended thinking over a period of time that encourages them to look at digital circumstances with a critical eye.

1. Google Earth

What is Google Earth?

Google Earth is a virtual globe and mapping software that allows users to explore the Earth’s surface and navigate through detailed satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and 3D models of various locations. It provides a comprehensive view of our planet, enabling users to zoom in on specific areas, search for specific addresses or landmarks, and obtain information about different geographical features.

Google Earth also offers features such as Street View, which provides immersive 360-degree street-level imagery, and Voyager, which offers curated interactive guided tours of fascinating places around the world. Whether used for educational purposes, travel planning, or simple curiosity, Google Earth serves as a powerful tool that brings the world to users’ fingertips, promoting exploration and a deeper understanding of our planet.

2. Blinkist

Blinkist is a digital platform that provides concise summaries of non-fiction books in the form of bite-sized content, allowing users to quickly grasp the key insights and main ideas of a wide range of books. With a vast library covering various genres such as self-help, business, science, and more, Blinkist seeks aims to make learning more accessible and time-efficient for people who want to stay informed and expand their knowledge but may not have the time to read entire books.

By condensing the main concepts, Blinkist allows users to get the essence of a book in just a few minutes, making it a popular choice for busy individuals seeking personal and professional growth.

3.  Elevate

Grade Levels:  8-12+

Developer Description

Elevate is another app that focuses on improving cognitive skills, including critical thinking. It offers a variety of games and challenges that target different areas, such as memory, comprehension, processing speed, and analytical thinking. Elevate also provides personalized training programs based on your goals and tracks your performance.

4.  Minecraft

Grade Levels:  K-12+

“Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles. Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs.”

5. Critical Thinking

6.  Civilization VI  (Note: For Mac, not iPad) (Note: Editor’s Choice award from TeachThought)

Grade Levels:  6-12+

“Originally created by legendary game designer Sid Meier, Civilization is a turn-based strategy game in which you attempt to build an empire to stand the test of time. Become Ruler of the World by establishing and leading a civilization from the Stone Age to the Information Age. Wage war, conduct diplomacy, advance your culture, and go head-to-head with history’s greatest leaders as you attempt to build the greatest civilization the world has ever known.”

7.  Brilliant

Developer Description8. Principles In Action

9.  Shakespeare In Bits: Romeo & Juliet

Grade Levels:  7-12+

“Understand and appreciate the linguistic richness of Shakespeare’s plays with the original play text, broken into easily digested ‘bits’. In-line translation helps you to understand difficult words and phrases within the context of the original play text.

Each title includes hours of high-resolution animation with a professional audio soundtrack, helping you to decode and comprehend Shakespeare’s fertile prose quickly and efficiently. The text, presented side-by-side with animated action, is easy to follow with portions of text being highlighted as they are spoken in the play. The integrated combination of text, audio and graphics is designed to facilitate learners of varying abilities and learning styles.”

10.  Literary Analysis Guide

“Literary Analysis Guide is a reference tool for students of literature, rhetoric, and writing. The elements of literature are arranged around three clickable interface wheels. Touch any term on the wheels for a detailed definition, examples from literature, questions to ask, and an example essay paragraph that analyzes that term. Students can also reference an illustrated version of each analysis paragraph which highlights the topic sentence, textual evidence, and analysis portions of text.”

11. SPEEDSim: Spatial Population Ecological and Epidemiological Dynamics Simulator

Grade Levels:  9-12+

“Spatial Population Ecological and Epidemiological Dynamics Simulator (SPEED Sim) is a tool that enables hands-on interactive exploration of the spatial dynamics of various computational models in population ecology and epidemiology. The app also provides several cellular automaton models as an introduction to these kinds of simulations.”

12. MasterClass

What Is MasterClass?

MasterClass is an online learning platform that offers in-depth video courses taught by renowned experts in various fields. It provides individuals with the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s most accomplished professionals, including celebrated actors, musicians, writers, athletes, chefs, and more. Each course consists of pre-recorded video lessons, typically divided into several chapters, where instructors share their knowledge, experiences, and techniques.

The classes seek to be well-produced, combining instructional content with personal anecdotes and demonstrations to create an immersive learning experience. With a diverse range of subjects available, MasterClass empowers learners to explore their passions, acquire new skills, and gain insights from industry icons.

13. Audible

Animate Me! 3D Animation For Kids 

Grade Levels:  3-12+

“Create 3D animations of cartoons in a simple and intuitive manner on your tablet or phone. If you’ve ever wondered how they bring characters to life in animation movies like Frozen or Toy Story, this app is for you. Kids can learn to make 3D animations that showcase their creativity and storytelling abilities.”

14.  Opposing Views

Grade Levels:  10-12+

“At Opposing Views, we report the news and let you debate it. We deliver the day’s most pressing, important and unbiased news. Instantly access news that will make you think, laugh…”

What is TED?

TED is an app that provides access to a vast library of TED Talks and presentations on various topics. Listening to TED Talks can stimulate critical thinking by exposing you to different perspectives, ideas, and arguments. The app allows you to explore talks on subjects like science, technology, psychology, and philosophy, encouraging you to think critically and engage with thought-provoking content.

16.  Neuriva Brain Gym

“Shake and tilt sugar molecules to set off chemical reactions and earn points! This game features a cast of protein characters based on real structures found inside our cells. Explore the structure and function of ten of the tiny proteins that break down sugar in the cell. In each level, tilt different sugars to their matching proteins, setting off chemical reactions and avoiding obstacles.”

17. TinkerBox HD – Autodesk Inc.

Grade Levels:

“If you can imagine it, you can build it with TinkerBox. TinkerBox is a fun, free-to-play physics puzzle game. While it is full of interesting science facts and teaches basic engineering concepts, TinkerBox is more than just educational! Take the tools in your hands to explore your creativity and imagination with Invent mode. Build outrageous machines, share them with your friends, or download popular inventions online. Stretch your brain through the devious Puzzle mode. Get immersed in physics-based puzzles and mechanical concepts, where your only hope for success is your creative problem solving.”

18.  SimCity BuildIt – Electronic Arts

“Solve real life challenges like traffic, fires, and pollution. Provide services like power plants and police departments to meet your citizens’ needs, and boost your population with parks and education. Keep traffic moving with grand avenues and streetcars. Complete fun challenges to shape your society.”

19. Artificial Life

“Oddly hypnotic and relaxing, Artificial Life is a simulation of the growth and evolution of microorganisms – basically artificial life forms. Initially, each organism is given a random set of rules governing its behavior. If the rules end up being useful for survival, the organism may live long enough to mate with another organism and pass its genetic code on to some offspring.

Over time, the organisms with the most useful behaviors will pass on their genetic code, leading to interesting patterns of behavior unfolding before your eyes – flocking behaviors, solitary predatory tactics, scavenging, and hiding are some examples – and all this behavior is evolving from total randomness.”

20.  Block Craft 3D : City Building Simulator

Basic Description

Like Minecraft, with a greater focus on crafting.

20.  The Sims

Build a life, make decisions, design homes, prioritize relationships, maintain personal health, focus on actions and decisions that promote health, happiness, and well-being.

For other “micro-life simulations,” consider:

21. Chaos Lab

22. LifeSim

23.  SimpleLife 

24.  Artificial Life

25.  Game Of Life

Full Affiliate Disclosure

External links on our website may be affiliate links that could result in us receiving compensation (payment) when you click on the link. For example, we may receive pay per click revenue or commission on sales of products. This varies from link to link–the vast majority of links provide us with no compensation, and any compensation we might receive is low (e.g., usually 6% or less). This helps us to, among other things, cover cost of content product and consistently deliver content.

Regardless of affiliate links, we try very hard not to share products or services to you that won’t help you as an educator in some way, shape, or form. We turn down dozens of posts, ad campaigns, and other for-cost content every year due to a lack of alignment between said content, and what we perceive your needs as a progressive educator to be. If you ever have any questions or comments about this practice, email Terry Heick directly.

TeachThought is an organization dedicated to innovation in education through the growth of outstanding teachers.

The Tech Edvocate

• Advertisement
• Home Page Five (No Sidebar)
• Home Page Four
• Home Page Three
• Home Page Two
• Icons [No Sidebar]
• Left Sidbear Page
• Lynch Educational Consulting
• My Speaking Page
• Newsletter Sign Up Confirmation
• Newsletter Unsubscription
• Page Example
• Privacy Policy
• Protected Content
• Request a Product Review
• Shortcodes Examples
• Terms and Conditions
• The Edvocate
• The Tech Edvocate Product Guide
• Write For Us
• Dr. Lynch’s Personal Website
• The Edvocate Podcast
• Assistive Technology
• Child Development Tech
• Early Childhood & K-12 EdTech
• EdTech Futures
• EdTech News
• EdTech Policy & Reform
• EdTech Startups & Businesses
• Higher Education EdTech
• Online Learning & eLearning
• Parent & Family Tech
• Personalized Learning
• Product Reviews
• Tech Edvocate Awards
• School Ratings

Fortnite’s next Marvel season features a whole lot of Doctor Doom

Japan will apply foreign trade regulations to chipmaking equipment, which will require foreign investors to give prior notice when conducting direct investment (bloomberg), ask hn: why are ai generated images so shiny/glossy, the drugmaker that hopes to legalize mdma is cutting 75% of its staff after the fda rejected the drug, a practitioner’s guide to testing and running gpu clusters, l’oreal disputes late trademark renewal over ‘nkd’ brand, with which they’ve coexisted for years, hot summer threatens efficacy of mail-order medications, css grid areas, today’s nyt strands hints, answers and help for aug. 16, #166, today’s wordle hints, answer and help for aug. 16, #1154, 7 must have apps, tools, and resources that develop critical thinking skills.

Gone are the days where children were expected to memorize facts and recite them at any given time. Instead, it is hoped that children will develop critical thinking skills so that they can analyze situations, think about different outcomes, and present well-reasoned conclusions. To help children develop critical thinking skills, there are some apps, tools, and resources. Here is a list of the top seven.

• Guess the Code

While this app is presented as a game, it is actually a great way for children to look at patterns and sequences, and try to figure them out. The app generates different color combinations, and it is up to the user to decipher the pattern and enter the next color.

• SimplePhysics

Physics can be a daunting subject, but the new way of approaching it makes physics more of a hands-on subject that gets students to engage in problem-solving actively. SimplePhysics provides games and puzzles that test the limits of students’ critical thinking skills.

• A Clockwork Brain

This app has a range of games in such categories as memory, attention, language, reasoning, and dexterity. Critical thinking is strengthened as children must work quickly to solve the problems before moving on to more challenging puzzles.

• Civilization VI

Now in its sixth iteration, this modern computer game is not just fun; it’s actually a place for children (and adults) to use the full extent of their imagination and critical thinking skills. The game starts with the dawn of humans, and it is up to the player to help them achieve civilization through each time period. Users must decide what it takes for a culture to evolve and this is no easy task.

• Whooo’s Reading

One of the most important steps in the journey towards critical thinking is the ability to read and interact with books. Reading is more than just memorizing letter combinations. It is about understanding the motive behind characters and the importance of setting. It is about connecting plot developments with real life and making connections between the two. To help students engage more when reading, Whooo’s Reading is a program that works to connect books at a deeper level. As a result of this program, students often increase their love of reading and as a bonus, do better on reading exams.

Social media has become pervasive in today’s culture, and while platforms like Twitter and Instagram can lead to more harm than good for most youth, social media can be used to an educator’s advantage. Edmodo provides a platform for students and teachers to engage in collaborative projects that help to foster creative thinking skills. It is a tool that can be used to bring students’ ideas together.

• Highlights Every Day

This app is a nostalgic treat for anyone that eagerly awaited their monthly Highlights magazine subscription. Updated for today’s technological world, Highlights Every Day is an app that features engaging puzzles, stories, and videos.

Critical thinking should be fostered because it creates students who actively engage in the world around them. It prepares children for a world where they will become adults and will need to navigate life. Critical thinking skills can be developed in fun, creative settings through the use of these apps, tools, and resources.

8 Essential Digital Literacy Skills That Students ...

13 must-have biology apps and tools.

Matthew Lynch

Related articles more from author.

Just how effective are language learning apps?

Many low-income students use only their phone to get online. What are they missing?

We Help Education Related Companies Promote Themselves

Laser Light Show: Classroom Edition

3 Technologies Making Their Way to Mainstream Education

Technology and Mentorship: Addressing the Problem of Urban Students

Distance Learning

Using technology to develop students’ critical thinking skills.

by Jessica Mansbach

What Is Critical Thinking?

Critical thinking is a higher-order cognitive skill that is indispensable to students, readying them to respond to a variety of complex problems that are sure to arise in their personal and professional lives. The  cognitive skills at the foundation of critical thinking are  analysis, interpretation, evaluation, explanation, inference, and self-regulation.  

When students think critically, they actively engage in these processes:

• Communication
• Problem-solving

To create environments that engage students in these processes, instructors need to ask questions, encourage the expression of diverse opinions, and involve students in a variety of hands-on activities that force them to be involved in their learning.

Types of Critical Thinking Skills

Instructors should select activities based on the level of thinking they want students to do and the learning objectives for the course or assignment. The chart below describes questions to ask in order to show that students can demonstrate different levels of critical thinking.

*Adapted from Brown University’s Harriet W Sheridan Center for Teaching and Learning

Using Online Tools to Teach Critical Thinking Skills

Online instructors can use technology tools to create activities that help students develop both lower-level and higher-level critical thinking skills.

• Example: Use Google Doc, a collaboration feature in Canvas, and tell students to keep a journal in which they reflect on what they are learning, describe the progress they are making in the class, and cite course materials that have been most relevant to their progress. Students can share the Google Doc with you, and instructors can comment on their work.
• Example: Use the peer review assignment feature in Canvas and manually or automatically form peer review groups. These groups can be anonymous or display students’ names. Tell students to give feedback to two of their peers on the first draft of a research paper. Use the rubric feature in Canvas to create a rubric for students to use. Show students the rubric along with the assignment instructions so that students know what they will be evaluated on and how to evaluate their peers.
• Example: Use the discussions feature in Canvas and tell students to have a debate about a video they watched. Pose the debate questions in the discussion forum, and give students instructions to take a side of the debate and cite course readings to support their arguments.  
• Example: Us e goreact , a tool for creating and commenting on online presentations, and tell students to design a presentation that summarizes and raises questions about a reading. Tell students to comment on the strengths and weaknesses of the author’s argument. Students can post the links to their goreact presentations in a discussion forum or an assignment using the insert link feature in Canvas.
• Example:  Use goreact, a narrated Powerpoint, or a Google Doc and instruct students to tell a story that informs readers and listeners about how the course content they are learning is useful in their professional lives. In the story, tell students to offer specific examples of readings and class activities that they are finding most relevant to their professional work. Links to the goreact presentation and Google doc can be submitted via a discussion forum or an assignment in Canvas. The Powerpoint file can be submitted via a discussion or submitted in an assignment.

Pulling it All Together

Critical thinking is an invaluable skill that students need to be successful in their professional and personal lives. Instructors can be thoughtful and purposeful about creating learning objectives that promote lower and higher-level critical thinking skills, and about using technology to implement activities that support these learning objectives. Below are some additional resources about critical thinking.

Additional Resources

Carmichael, E., & Farrell, H. (2012). Evaluation of the Effectiveness of Online Resources in Developing Student Critical Thinking: Review of Literature and Case Study of a Critical Thinking Online Site.  Journal of University Teaching and Learning Practice ,  9 (1), 4.

Lai, E. R. (2011). Critical thinking: A literature review.  Pearson’s Research Reports ,  6 , 40-41.

Landers, H (n.d.). Using Peer Teaching In The Classroom. Retrieved electronically from https://tilt.colostate.edu/TipsAndGuides/Tip/180

Lynch, C. L., & Wolcott, S. K. (2001). Helping your students develop critical thinking skills (IDEA Paper# 37. In  Manhattan, KS: The IDEA Center.

Mandernach, B. J. (2006). Thinking critically about critical thinking: Integrating online tools to Promote Critical Thinking. Insight: A collection of faculty scholarship , 1 , 41-50.

Yang, Y. T. C., & Wu, W. C. I. (2012). Digital storytelling for enhancing student academic achievement, critical thinking, and learning motivation: A year-long experimental study. Computers & Education , 59 (2), 339-352.

Insight Assessment: Measuring Thinking Worldwide

http://www.insightassessment.com/

Michigan State University’s Office of Faculty  & Organizational Development, Critical Thinking: http://fod.msu.edu/oir/critical-thinking

The Critical Thinking Community

http://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766

Related Posts

Maximizing Your Synchronous Sessions – Part II: Agenda

The Benefits of Using Digital Badges in an Online Course

Nebula: A Graphic Interface for Discussion Forums

Maximizing Your Synchronous Sessions – Part 1: Technology

9 responses to “ Using Technology To Develop Students’ Critical Thinking Skills ”

This is a great site for my students to learn how to develop critical thinking skills, especially in the STEM fields.

Great tools to help all learners at all levels… not everyone learns at the same rate.

Thanks for sharing the article. Is there any way to find tools which help in developing critical thinking skills to students?

Technology needs to be advance to develop the below factors:

Understand the links between ideas. Determine the importance and relevance of arguments and ideas. Recognize, build and appraise arguments.

Excellent share! Can I know few tools which help in developing critical thinking skills to students? Any help will be appreciated. Thanks!

• Pingback: EDTC 6431 – Module 4 – Designing Lessons That Use Critical Thinking | Mr.Reed Teaches Math
• Pingback: Homepage
• Pingback: Magacus | Pearltrees

Brilliant post. Will be sharing this on our Twitter (@refthinking). I would love to chat to you about our tool, the Thinking Kit. It has been specifically designed to help students develop critical thinking skills whilst they also learn about the topics they ‘need’ to.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Insert/edit link

Enter the destination URL

Or link to existing content

Best Apps for Problem Solving: Top Picks for Effective Solutions

In today’s fast-paced and technology-driven world, problem-solving skills are becoming increasingly crucial for personal and professional success. It is important to recognize that problem-solving involves more than just finding answers to a problem; it’s about understanding the problem, identifying potential solutions, and making informed decisions. In this regard, problem-solving apps have the potential to drastically improve one’s abilities in a variety of areas, as well as provide educational benefits.

These apps come in many forms, addressing everything from math and science problems to enhancing attention and concentration. They offer accessibility and support for users seeking to bolster their problem-solving capabilities. In addition to educational applications, many of these apps are also tailored to address challenges in industries like business and mental health or even to provide career guidance.

Key Takeaways

Recognizing problem-solving apps.

Android Apps

By incorporating these problem-solving apps into daily routines, users can enhance their mental abilities and find solutions to everyday challenges more effectively. Focusing on the right technology and investing time in useful software will undoubtedly improve one’s overall problem-solving skills.

Educational Benefits of Problem-Solving Apps

Boosting learning skills.

Problem-solving apps provide a variety of educational benefits to users, aiding in the development of crucial learning skills. These apps target different aspects of learning, such as memory, reading, writing, and listening, by presenting engaging challenges and activities. As users navigate through these tasks, they gain valuable insights and ideas that contribute to their overall understanding of an array of subjects.

Enhancing Critical Thinking

Problem-solving apps also play a vital role in enhancing critical thinking abilities. By offering various challenges and exercises, these apps motivate users to employ creative thinking, logical reasoning, and decision-making skills. Through continuous practice and application, the users develop a deeper understanding of concepts and improve their ability to analyze and evaluate scenarios.

Applications in Math and Science

In this digital age, there are numerous apps and websites available to help students develop problem-solving skills in math and science. These resources provide interactive, engaging, and adaptive platforms to enhance their educational experience.

Apps for Math Problems

Another engaging resource is Moose Math , a free app that focuses on math games. These games assist younger students in refining their math skills, such as counting, addition, and subtraction, through points earned for completing challenges.

Applications for Science Tasks

To assist students with their science homework, websites like Educators Technology can offer a selection of math problem solver apps. These apps not only tackle math problems but also provide additional reinforcement for understanding scientific concepts.

In conclusion, utilizing these various apps and online tools can significantly improve students’ problem-solving abilities in both math and science domains, paving the way for academic success.

Enhancing Attention and Concentration

One popular app that aims to maximize attention span is Lumosity . Developed by a team of game designers and scientists, Lumosity offers a range of interactive games and training exercises. These games are specifically tailored to improve memory, processing speed, attention span, and overall cognitive ability. By engaging in these activities regularly, users can strengthen their focus and address their weaknesses.

Support and Help within Apps

When it comes to problem-solving apps, efficient support and help features are crucial for users to navigate through the platform and find the solutions they need. A good app will provide diverse support mechanisms, whether it’s tutorials for first-time users, FAQs to answer common questions, or customer service to address specific concerns.

When it comes to navigating through an app, a well-designed interface and smooth user experience will keep users engaged and motivated to solve problems. This includes logical menu structures, consistent design elements, and clear labeling for different sections or features. Visual aids, such as color-coding or iconography, can further help users find their way around the app, streamlining the overall problem-solving process.

Problem-Solving Apps for Business

Applications for business challenges.

Lumosity is a prime example of a problem-solving app designed to improve mental skills. By enhancing memory, flexibility, and information processing speed, this web app can indirectly contribute to the development of employees’ problem-solving capabilities.

Mobile applications are becoming increasingly useful in improving customer services by providing quicker query resolution and 24/7 support. AI-based chatbots, often embedded in mobile apps, can help businesses respond to customer queries and questions more efficiently, resulting in better customer satisfaction.

Furthermore, numerous apps on the market solve everyday problems faced by both businesses and individuals. For example, Google Play offers 2.56 million mobile apps, while the App Store provides access to 1.85 million apps. Among these vast selections, businesses can surely find applications that cater to their specific requirements, from project management to financial planning.

Mental Health Support through Apps

Apps for anxiety.

Anxiety can manifest in different ways, but common symptoms include constant worrying, restlessness, and even physical symptoms like rapid heartbeat or shortness of breath. The following apps aim to provide support and techniques for managing anxiety:

Apps for Depression

Popular puzzle and brain games, memory-boosting puzzle games, the new york times crossword, career guidance through problem-solving apps.

In today’s competitive job market, individuals seeking career success must continually hone their problem-solving skills. By utilizing problem-solving apps, they can sharpen their cognitive abilities, find solutions to challenges, and stay on the right path to achievement. In this section, we will discuss some of the best apps that are designed to help improve problem-solving skills.

The third app, Elevate , is an award-winning brain training program offering a wide array of exercises and games. These activities are aimed at improving cognitive abilities critical for effective problem-solving. With a progress tracking feature, users can monitor their improvement over time and see how they are progressing in their problem-solving skills.

By using these problem-solving apps and adopting a methodical approach to tackling career challenges, individuals can pave the way for continuous growth and achievement. It is vital to remember that enhancing one’s problem-solving skills is a journey, requiring dedication and persistent effort.

You may also like

The map is not the territory: a concise analysis of this cognitive principle, analytical thinking vs problem solving: a comprehensive comparison, 5 board games to develop critical thinking skills, the role of intuition in critical thinking: unraveling the connection, download this free ebook.

How it works

Transform your enterprise with the scalable mindsets, skills, & behavior change that drive performance.

Explore how BetterUp connects to your core business systems.

We pair AI with the latest in human-centered coaching to drive powerful, lasting learning and behavior change.

Build leaders that accelerate team performance and engagement.

Unlock performance potential at scale with AI-powered curated growth journeys.

Build resilience, well-being and agility to drive performance across your entire enterprise.

Transform your business, starting with your sales leaders.

Unlock business impact from the top with executive coaching.

Foster a culture of inclusion and belonging.

Accelerate the performance and potential of your agencies and employees.

See how innovative organizations use BetterUp to build a thriving workforce.

Discover how BetterUp measurably impacts key business outcomes for organizations like yours.

Daring Leadership Institute: a groundbreaking partnership that amplifies Brené Brown's empirically based, courage-building curriculum with BetterUp’s human transformation platform.

• What is coaching?

Learn how 1:1 coaching works, who its for, and if it's right for you.

Accelerate your personal and professional growth with the expert guidance of a BetterUp Coach.

Types of Coaching

Navigate career transitions, accelerate your professional growth, and achieve your career goals with expert coaching.

Enhance your communication skills for better personal and professional relationships, with tailored coaching that focuses on your needs.

Find balance, resilience, and well-being in all areas of your life with holistic coaching designed to empower you.

Discover your perfect match : Take our 5-minute assessment and let us pair you with one of our top Coaches tailored just for you.

Research, expert insights, and resources to develop courageous leaders within your organization.

Best practices, research, and tools to fuel individual and business growth.

View on-demand BetterUp events and learn about upcoming live discussions.

The latest insights and ideas for building a high-performing workplace.

• BetterUp Briefing

The online magazine that helps you understand tomorrow's workforce trends, today.

Innovative research featured in peer-reviewed journals, press, and more.

Founded in 2022 to deepen the understanding of the intersection of well-being, purpose, and performance

We're on a mission to help everyone live with clarity, purpose, and passion.

Join us and create impactful change.

Read the buzz about BetterUp.

Meet the leadership that's passionate about empowering your workforce.

For Business

For Individuals

How to develop critical thinking skills

Jump to section

What are critical thinking skills?

How to develop critical thinking skills: 12 tips, how to practice critical thinking skills at work, become your own best critic.

A client requests a tight deadline on an intense project. Your childcare provider calls in sick on a day full of meetings. Payment from a contract gig is a month behind. 

Your day-to-day will always have challenges, big and small. And no matter the size and urgency, they all ask you to use critical thinking to analyze the situation and arrive at the right solution. 

Critical thinking includes a wide set of soft skills that encourage continuous learning, resilience , and self-reflection. The more you add to your professional toolbelt, the more equipped you’ll be to tackle whatever challenge presents itself. Here’s how to develop critical thinking, with examples explaining how to use it.

Critical thinking skills are the skills you use to analyze information, imagine scenarios holistically, and create rational solutions. It’s a type of emotional intelligence that stimulates effective problem-solving and decision-making . 

When you fine-tune your critical thinking skills, you seek beyond face-value observations and knee-jerk reactions. Instead, you harvest deeper insights and string together ideas and concepts in logical, sometimes out-of-the-box , ways. 

Imagine a team working on a marketing strategy for a new set of services. That team might use critical thinking to balance goals and key performance indicators , like new customer acquisition costs, average monthly sales, and net profit margins. They understand the connections between overlapping factors to build a strategy that stays within budget and attracts new sales. 

Looking for ways to improve critical thinking skills? Start by brushing up on the following soft skills that fall under this umbrella: 

• Analytical thinking: Approaching problems with an analytical eye includes breaking down complex issues into small chunks and examining their significance. An example could be organizing customer feedback to identify trends and improve your product offerings. 
• Open-mindedness: Push past cognitive biases and be receptive to different points of view and constructive feedback . Managers and team members who keep an open mind position themselves to hear new ideas that foster innovation . 
• Creative thinking: With creative thinking , you can develop several ideas to address a single problem, like brainstorming more efficient workflow best practices to boost productivity and employee morale . 
• Self-reflection: Self-reflection lets you examine your thinking and assumptions to stimulate healthier collaboration and thought processes. Maybe a bad first impression created a negative anchoring bias with a new coworker. Reflecting on your own behavior stirs up empathy and improves the relationship. 
• Evaluation: With evaluation skills, you tackle the pros and cons of a situation based on logic rather than emotion. When prioritizing tasks , you might be tempted to do the fun or easy ones first, but evaluating their urgency and importance can help you make better decisions. 

There’s no magic method to change your thinking processes. Improvement happens with small, intentional changes to your everyday habits until a more critical approach to thinking is automatic. 

Here are 12 tips for building stronger self-awareness and learning how to improve critical thinking: 

1. Be cautious

There’s nothing wrong with a little bit of skepticism. One of the core principles of critical thinking is asking questions and dissecting the available information. You might surprise yourself at what you find when you stop to think before taking action. 

Before making a decision, use evidence, logic, and deductive reasoning to support your own opinions or challenge ideas. It helps you and your team avoid falling prey to bad information or resistance to change .

2. Ask open-ended questions

“Yes” or “no” questions invite agreement rather than reflection. Instead, ask open-ended questions that force you to engage in analysis and rumination. Digging deeper can help you identify potential biases, uncover assumptions, and arrive at new hypotheses and possible solutions. 

3. Do your research

No matter your proficiency, you can always learn more. Turning to different points of view and information is a great way to develop a comprehensive understanding of a topic and make informed decisions. You’ll prioritize reliable information rather than fall into emotional or automatic decision-making. 

4. Consider several opinions

You might spend so much time on your work that it’s easy to get stuck in your own perspective, especially if you work independently on a remote team . Make an effort to reach out to colleagues to hear different ideas and thought patterns. Their input might surprise you.

If or when you disagree, remember that you and your team share a common goal. Divergent opinions are constructive, so shift the focus to finding solutions rather than defending disagreements. 

5. Learn to be quiet

Active listening is the intentional practice of concentrating on a conversation partner instead of your own thoughts. It’s about paying attention to detail and letting people know you value their opinions, which can open your mind to new perspectives and thought processes.

If you’re brainstorming with your team or having a 1:1 with a coworker , listen, ask clarifying questions, and work to understand other peoples’ viewpoints. Listening to your team will help you find fallacies in arguments to improve possible solutions.

6. Schedule reflection

Whether waking up at 5 am or using a procrastination hack, scheduling time to think puts you in a growth mindset . Your mind has natural cognitive biases to help you simplify decision-making, but squashing them is key to thinking critically and finding new solutions besides the ones you might gravitate toward. Creating time and calm space in your day gives you the chance to step back and visualize the biases that impact your decision-making. 

7. Cultivate curiosity

With so many demands and job responsibilities, it’s easy to seek solace in routine. But getting out of your comfort zone helps spark critical thinking and find more solutions than you usually might.

If curiosity doesn’t come naturally to you, cultivate a thirst for knowledge by reskilling and upskilling . Not only will you add a new skill to your resume , but expanding the limits of your professional knowledge might motivate you to ask more questions. 

You don’t have to develop critical thinking skills exclusively in the office. Whether on your break or finding a hobby to do after work, playing strategic games or filling out crosswords can prime your brain for problem-solving. 

9. Write it down

Recording your thoughts with pen and paper can lead to stronger brain activity than typing them out on a keyboard. If you’re stuck and want to think more critically about a problem, writing your ideas can help you process information more deeply.

The act of recording ideas on paper can also improve your memory . Ideas are more likely to linger in the background of your mind, leading to deeper thinking that informs your decision-making process. 

10. Speak up

Take opportunities to share your opinion, even if it intimidates you. Whether at a networking event with new people or a meeting with close colleagues, try to engage with people who challenge or help you develop your ideas. Having conversations that force you to support your position encourages you to refine your argument and think critically. 

11. Stay humble

Ideas and concepts aren’t the same as real-life actions. There may be such a thing as negative outcomes, but there’s no such thing as a bad idea. At the brainstorming stage , don’t be afraid to make mistakes.

Sometimes the best solutions come from off-the-wall, unorthodox decisions. Sit in your creativity , let ideas flow, and don’t be afraid to share them with your colleagues. Putting yourself in a creative mindset helps you see situations from new perspectives and arrive at innovative conclusions. 

12. Embrace discomfort

Get comfortable feeling uncomfortable . It isn’t easy when others challenge your ideas, but sometimes, it’s the only way to see new perspectives and think critically.

By willingly stepping into unfamiliar territory, you foster the resilience and flexibility you need to become a better thinker. You’ll learn how to pick yourself up from failure and approach problems from fresh angles. 

Thinking critically is easier said than done. To help you understand its impact (and how to use it), here are two scenarios that require critical thinking skills and provide teachable moments. 

Scenario #1: Unexpected delays and budget

Imagine your team is working on producing an event. Unexpectedly, a vendor explains they’ll be a week behind on delivering materials. Then another vendor sends a quote that’s more than you can afford. Unless you develop a creative solution, the team will have to push back deadlines and go over budget, potentially costing the client’s trust. 

Here’s how you could approach the situation with creative thinking:

• Analyze the situation holistically: Determine how the delayed materials and over-budget quote will impact the rest of your timeline and financial resources . That way, you can identify whether you need to build an entirely new plan with new vendors, or if it’s worth it to readjust time and resources. 
• Identify your alternative options: With careful assessment, your team decides that another vendor can’t provide the same materials in a quicker time frame. You’ll need to rearrange assignment schedules to complete everything on time. 
• Collaborate and adapt: Your team has an emergency meeting to rearrange your project schedule. You write down each deliverable and determine which ones you can and can’t complete by the deadline. To compensate for lost time, you rearrange your task schedule to complete everything that doesn’t need the delayed materials first, then advance as far as you can on the tasks that do. 
• Check different resources: In the meantime, you scour through your contact sheet to find alternative vendors that fit your budget. Accounting helps by providing old invoices to determine which vendors have quoted less for previous jobs. After pulling all your sources, you find a vendor that fits your budget. 
• Maintain open communication: You create a special Slack channel to keep everyone up to date on changes, challenges, and additional delays. Keeping an open line encourages transparency on the team’s progress and boosts everyone’s confidence. 

Scenario #2: Differing opinions 

A conflict arises between two team members on the best approach for a new strategy for a gaming app. One believes that small tweaks to the current content are necessary to maintain user engagement and stay within budget. The other believes a bold revamp is needed to encourage new followers and stronger sales revenue. 

Here’s how critical thinking could help this conflict:

• Listen actively: Give both team members the opportunity to present their ideas free of interruption. Encourage the entire team to ask open-ended questions to more fully understand and develop each argument. 
• Flex your analytical skills: After learning more about both ideas, everyone should objectively assess the benefits and drawbacks of each approach. Analyze each idea's risk, merits, and feasibility based on available data and the app’s goals and objectives. 
• Identify common ground: The team discusses similarities between each approach and brainstorms ways to integrate both idea s, like making small but eye-catching modifications to existing content or using the same visual design in new media formats. 
• Test new strategy: To test out the potential of a bolder strategy, the team decides to A/B test both approaches. You create a set of criteria to evenly distribute users by different demographics to analyze engagement, revenue, and customer turnover. 
• Monitor and adapt: After implementing the A/B test, the team closely monitors the results of each strategy. You regroup and optimize the changes that provide stronger results after the testing. That way, all team members understand why you’re making the changes you decide to make.

You can’t think your problems away. But you can equip yourself with skills that help you move through your biggest challenges and find innovative solutions. Learning how to develop critical thinking is the start of honing an adaptable growth mindset. 

Now that you have resources to increase critical thinking skills in your professional development, you can identify whether you embrace change or routine, are open or resistant to feedback, or turn to research or emotion will build self-awareness. From there, tweak and incorporate techniques to be a critical thinker when life presents you with a problem.

Understand Yourself Better:

Big 5 Personality Test

Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

6 ways to leverage AI for hyper-personalized corporate learning

Can dreams help you solve problems 6 ways to try, what is lateral thinking 7 techniques to encourage creative ideas, 17 memorization techniques to sharpen your memory & recall, how divergent thinking can drive your creativity, what’s convergent thinking how to be a better problem-solver, 8 creative solutions to your most challenging problems, why asynchronous learning is the key to successful upskilling, how to be optimistic, betterup named a 2019 “cool vendor” in human capital management: enhancing employee experience by gartnerup your game: a new model for leadership, 7 critical teamwork skills and how to develop them, what is creative thinking and how can i improve, 6 big picture thinking strategies that you'll actually use, what are analytical skills examples and how to level up, critical thinking is the one skillset you can't afford not to master, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

3100 E 5th Street, Suite 350 Austin, TX 78702

• Platform Overview
• Integrations
• Powered by AI
• BetterUp Lead™
• BetterUp Manage™
• BetterUp Care®
• Sales Performance
• Diversity & Inclusion
• Case Studies
• Why BetterUp?
• About Coaching
• Find your Coach
• Career Coaching
• Communication Coaching
• Personal Coaching
• News and Press
• Leadership Team
• Become a BetterUp Coach
• BetterUp Labs
• Center for Purpose & Performance
• Leadership Training
• Business Coaching
• Contact Support
• Contact Sales
• Privacy Policy
• Acceptable Use Policy
• Trust & Security
• Cookie Preferences

• For Parents
• For Students
• For Teachers
• College Prep
• College Applications
• College Life
• Career Guidance
• Financial Education
• Continuing Education
• Language Learning
• Personal Enrichment
• Technology & Education

Top 10 Critical Thinking Apps for Students

Think of your brain like a toolbox. Apps are kind of like those awesome multi-tools with everything you need, but for your mind! Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a set of digital tools designed to make you a master problem-solver, a logic champion, and a super creative brainstormer? That’s where critical thinking apps come in. Ready to level up your thinking skills? Let’s explore the best of the best!

Table of Contents

Why Critical Thinking Apps Matter?

Okay, I know what you might be thinking: “Critical thinking? Isn’t that just for super-serious grown-up stuff?” Nope! Critical thinking is how you analyze information, solve problems, and make smart decisions. It’s basically the secret weapon of successful students.

Think of it like this: school throws a ton of facts at you. Critical thinking is what helps you actually use all that knowledge and apply it to the real world.

How can critical thinking apps boost learning and grades?

• Deeper Understanding : These apps help you dig beneath the surface of what you’re learning, making connections that might not be obvious at first.
• Unlock Problem-Solving Skills : They give you a whole toolbox of strategies to analyze tricky situations and find creative solutions.
• Improved Decision Making : Critical thinking helps you weigh options and make informed choices – on homework assignments, in group projects, and even in your personal life.

Helpful Hint:

Critical thinking isn’t just about getting better grades (though it definitely helps!). It’s about becoming a more flexible, adaptable thinker, ready to tackle any challenge.

Top 10 Critical Thinking Apps: Our Picks

Ready to find the perfect app? Here’s a breakdown of factors to consider before hitting that download button:

• Age Group : Choose an app that aligns with your current school subjects and learning style. A super complex logic app might frustrate an elementary schooler, while a basic pattern game might bore a high school student.
• Skill Focus : Some apps target specific critical thinking skills like problem-solving, logic, reasoning, or creativity. Think about which area you want to strengthen first.
• Free vs. Paid : There are excellent critical thinking apps in both categories. Free versions are a great way to test the waters, and paid apps often offer expanded features or more in-depth challenges.

Age 5-8: Building the Blocks of Critical Thinking

These apps focus on foundational skills like observation, pattern recognition, and basic problem-solving, all wrapped in a fun and engaging package:

1. Think!Kids

This award-winning app uses adorable animations and interactive games to introduce young students to critical thinking concepts. Kids will sort shapes, solve puzzles, and complete silly challenges that get them thinking creatively. (Free trial; paid subscription available)

• Android: Think!Kids on Google Play Store .
• iPhone: Think!Kids on Apple App Store .

2. Loopy Logic Puzzles

These colorful brain teasers introduce basic logic and reasoning skills in a playful way. Kids will use visual clues to solve mazes, unscramble patterns, and complete sequences. (Free with in-app purchases)

iPhone: Link to Loopy Logic Puzzles on Apple App Store .

Helpful Stats: A study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found that children who engaged in regular problem-solving activities scored higher on critical thinking assessments compared to those who did not.

Age 9-12: Leveling Up Thinking Skills

As kids enter middle school, the critical thinking challenges get a bit more complex. Here are some apps to match their growing minds:

3. Euclidea

This geometry game disguised as an app is a fantastic way to develop spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. Players use logic and creativity to solve geometric puzzles that gradually increase in difficulty. (Free)

Link to the app website: euclidea.xyz iPhone: Link to Euclidea on Apple App Store .

4. CodyMaze

Coding meets critical thinking in this engaging app. Kids will use logic and step-by-step planning to guide a robot character through challenging mazes. This app is a great introduction to coding concepts while also strengthening critical thinking skills. (Free with in-app purchases)

• Android: Link to CodyMaze on Google Play Store .
• iPhone: Link to CodyMaze on Apple App Store .

5. Peak – Brain Games & Training

This app offers a fun mix of brain games that target various aspects of critical thinking, including problem-solving, memory, focus, and mental agility. Its vibrant visuals and personalized challenges make it engaging for this age group. (Free with premium subscription for additional features)

Android: Link to Peak on Google Play Store . iPhone: Link to Peak on Apple App Store .

Age 13 and Up: Critical Thinking for Teens

Teenagers are naturally curious and love a good challenge. These apps will push their critical thinking skills to the limit:

This science-backed brain training app offers a wide variety of exercises and games targeting multiple areas of cognitive function . Among its exercises, many promote critical thinking skills like problem-solving, logic, speed, and decision-making. (Free, with paid subscription for more extensive features)

Android: Link to BrainHQ on Google Play Store . iPhone: Link to BrainHQ on Apple App Store .

This mind mapping app is a fantastic tool for brainstorming, organizing ideas, and seeing the bigger picture. Teens can use it for school projects, study sessions, or just to explore their own creativity. (Free with paid upgrade options)

Link to the app website: Ayoa.com

8. Socratic by Google

This app uses real-world scenarios to pose thought-provoking questions and encourage critical thinking. Users can explore different viewpoints, analyze evidence, and develop strong arguments. (Free)

Android: Link to Socratic on Google Play Store . iPhone: Link to Socratic  on Apple App Store .

Stat: According to a study by Stanford University, students who regularly debated complex topics showed significant improvement in critical thinking skills compared to those who did not

9. DragonBox Elements

This award-winning game series cleverly combines logic puzzles with the basic principles of algebra. Players will solve increasingly complex challenges that require strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills. (Free with in-app purchases for additional levels)

Link to the app website: dragonbox.com

10. Elevate

This app goes beyond critical thinking and offers a holistic brain-training experience. It includes games that target memory, processing speed, focus, and critical thinking. (Free with paid subscription for access to all features)

Link to the app website: elevateapp.com

Wrapping Up

Critical thinking skills are essential for success in today’s world. From schoolwork to future careers, the ability to analyze, problem-solve, and think outside the box will set you apart. Critical thinking apps offer a playful and interactive way to boost these valuable skills. Whether you’re a student or an adult seeking lifelong learning, don’t underestimate the power of enhancing your thinking toolkit. Start exploring, have fun, and let your mind stretch in unexpected ways!

EduLearn2Change

Critical thinking apps for students.

rawpixel.com

Classroom technology, 10 critical thinking apps for students, last updated 25 november 2023/ by zineb djoub.

Developing students’ critical thinking has become a must in a world where smart decisions matter for people to thrive. However, sustaining critical minds may not be an attainable goal for many teachers, since it requires students’ engagement and commitment to learning. Indeed, students need relevant and interesting learning tasks that spark their curiosity in thinking and producing. Educational technologies can support teachers in creating more engaging and thought-provoking content for their students. There is a variety of critical thinking apps that encourage students to think through planning, making decisions and choices, collaborating, creating, expressing their voices, sharing them, discussing others’ ideas, and reflecting on their learning.

Here is a list of 10 Critical Thinking Apps that you can use with your students in class, no matter what subject you’re teaching.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Email Address

1. Book Creator

An engaging app with a variety of uses that gets students using critical thinking and organization skills. Students can brainstorm, plan, and write their own stories, communicating their ideas using multimedia elements.

They can also create their own projects, take pictures doing different activities, and record themselves. Besides, Book Creator can be used as a portfolio tool to collect students’ work and reflect on it. It’s available for both iPad and the web (including Chrome). To learn more, read about 50 ways to use Book Creator in your classroom.

2. Notability

A thought-provoking tool that supports students to combine handwriting and photos using a wide range of note-taking and sketching tools: Students can annotate PDFs, make shapes, highlight, move objects around, add audio, integrate photos and web clips, and more. This is only available for iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

3. Kidblog  

A free blogging platform intended primarily for kids to create their content with the help of their teacher. Teachers and students can create conversations on the web and students can also leave comments on other students’ pages. Teachers need to set up an account for their entire class to start using this platform.

4. Ideament

Students can easily draw a diagram (mind map, concept map, or flowchart), convert it to a text outline, and vice versa. They can also brainstorm new ideas, illustrate concepts, make lists and outlines, plan presentations, create organizational charts, and more.

5. Lucidchart

This helps students to create on their iPad or iPhone different diagrams such as charts, mind maps, wireframes, and much more.

6. Ayoa (previously iMindMap)

A cloud-based work management tool that combines Mind Mapping with Task Management features. So, students using this app not only use mind mapping but can also store their work, collaborate with their classmates, track their task progress, and share their work with others.

7. Adobe Spark

This free online and mobile graphic design app helps create compelling animated videos in minutes. Students can get more creative by telling stories and sharing ideas using text, images, and video.

8. Explain Everything

An interesting interactive screen casting whiteboard that students can use to create video tutorials and explanatory guides to share with others. No additional software is required. So, they can record their movements, annotations, and voice, and then make edits using the timeline.

9. Spreaker

Asking students to create their own podcasts and share them with their teachers and classmates can be fun, interesting, and mostly a thought-provoking process.

You can ask them to work in pairs or individually, select a topic, create their own content, record themselves directly from their mobile device, and share this on the Internet using this app (on a class blog or any social platform you are connecting with your students). Students can share their comments, learn from each, and discuss their podcasts in the classroom.

10. TeleStory

T his is a video creation tool that provides students with a scene, face-detecting costumes, cue cards, and special effects and lets them create their own themed TV shows. To create their story, there are themes that kids can choose from, then they select a scene and cue card.

After creating their story, they name it, save it in the app, and share it via ToonTube. This can stimulate their thinking as their choices and creativity are called upon.

What other apps would you suggest to develop students’ critical thinking? I’d love to learn from you.

Share this story

Previous posts.

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

The best note-taking apps for ipad.

In today’s fast-paced digital world, the practice of note-taking has progressed beyond the conventional use of pens and paper. With the power of the iPad, the tablet can be transformed into a highly versatile note-taking machine.

CLASSROOM  TECHNOLOGY

14 essential educational apps for teachers.

Educational apps can enhance teachers’ productivity, making their work much effective and easier. There are various apps which teachers can select to carry on their everyday tasks.

3 Critical Issues about Technology Integration

Based on research evidence, below are 3 critical issues related to the way teachers integrate educational technologies in the classrooms.

© [2024] · EduLearn2Change.

• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use

Type and press Enter to search

5 Tech Tools to Encourage Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is an important aspect of learning. Understanding something is more than repeating facts, it’s being able to apply what you know in different forms . The practice of getting students to do this requires a shift from learning by receiving information to turning that information into something else , like a diagram or a storybook.

These five simple tools allow you to inspire critical thinking in your students. Encourage them to take the information you’re giving them, and show what they know with mind maps, puzzles and more!

Discovery Education: Puzzlemaker

Students can use Discovery’s Puzzlemaker suite of tools to make customized word searches, letter tile puzzles, hidden message games and more. Use this as a v ocabulary activity station . Students pair up and create a puzzle for their teammate to solve using the words they’re learning that week.

This gives both students a chance to work with vocabulary in a new and fun way that requires extra thinking and problem solving.

MindMeister

Mind mapping is a valuable tool to facilitate critical thinking, and technology has made it easier than ever to bring this into your classroom.

Use MindMeister, a simple and easy to implement mind mapping tool, to encourage students to think about a topic, lesson, problem or subject from every angle . This activity helps them look at the whole picture with a critical eye, rather than just studying the facts that are being taught in the curriculum.

Check out this compilation of inspiring educational mind maps , which cover topics like grammar, geography and reading comprehension.

Whooo’s Reading  

Answering open-ended questions is a simple way to facilitate critical thinking with students. However, many reading comprehension tools only allow students to answer multiple-choice questions, rather than requiring them to formulate their own answer.

Whooo’s Reading, an online reading log, not only requires students to answer open-ended questions, but every automatically prompted question is Common Core-aligned, so you can be sure your students are thinking about the text in terms of the various reading and writing anchors.

Learn more about how this tool has helped more than 10,000 teachers improve their students’ reading comprehension at the Learn2Earn teacher blog .

Neo K12: Flow Chart Games

While this tool only has pre-defined flow chart games, in a variety of categories ranging from life sciences to the human body, you can use them to inspire critical thinking where appropriate.

For example, use flow chart games when exploring photosynthesis . Students have to drag and drop the various stages in the right part of the cycle. Require each student to write what each part of the cycle is about for a complete interactive thinking activity. Note that use of this this tool requires a monthly subscription.

This online business tool was not made for the classroom; however, students can use it to map out the visual representation of a process, adding notes, colors and details to show their knowledge of the topic. All diagrams are saved in your “Online Diagram Library” so students can access this content when studying for an exam or to show their parents.

You also have access to a large database of pre-made diagrams . Use these as supplementary materials for a lesson you’ve already written or as examples of what you expect from students with their own diagram.

• Product overview
• All features
• Latest feature release
• App integrations

CAPABILITIES

• project icon Project management
• Project views
• Custom fields
• Status updates
• goal icon Goals and reporting
• Reporting dashboards
• workflow icon Workflows and automation
• portfolio icon Resource management
• Capacity planning
• Time tracking
• my-task icon Admin and security
• Admin console
• asana-intelligence icon Asana AI
• list icon Personal
• premium icon Starter
• briefcase icon Advanced
• Goal management
• Organizational planning
• Campaign management
• Creative production
• Content calendars
• Marketing strategic planning
• Resource planning
• Project intake
• Product launches
• Employee onboarding
• View all uses arrow-right icon
• Project plans
• Team goals & objectives
• Team continuity
• Meeting agenda
• View all templates arrow-right icon
• Work management resources Discover best practices, watch webinars, get insights
• Customer stories See how the world's best organizations drive work innovation with Asana
• Help Center Get lots of tips, tricks, and advice to get the most from Asana
• Asana Academy Sign up for interactive courses and webinars to learn Asana
• Developers Learn more about building apps on the Asana platform
• Community programs Connect with and learn from Asana customers around the world
• Events Find out about upcoming events near you
• Partners Learn more about our partner programs
• Asana for nonprofits Get more information on our nonprofit discount program, and apply.

Featured Reads

• Collaboration |
• How to build your critical thinking ski ...

How to build your critical thinking skills in 7 steps (with examples)

Critical thinking is, well, critical. By building these skills, you improve your ability to analyze information and come to the best decision possible. In this article, we cover the basics of critical thinking, as well as the seven steps you can use to implement the full critical thinking process.

Critical thinking comes from asking the right questions to come to the best conclusion possible. Strong critical thinkers analyze information from a variety of viewpoints in order to identify the best course of action.

Don’t worry if you don’t think you have strong critical thinking abilities. In this article, we’ll help you build a foundation for critical thinking so you can absorb, analyze, and make informed decisions. 

What is critical thinking? 

Critical thinking is the ability to collect and analyze information to come to a conclusion. Being able to think critically is important in virtually every industry and applicable across a wide range of positions. That’s because critical thinking isn’t subject-specific—rather, it’s your ability to parse through information, data, statistics, and other details in order to identify a satisfactory solution. 

Definitions of critical thinking

Various scholars have provided definitions of critical thinking, each emphasizing different aspects of this complex cognitive process:

Michael Scriven , an American philosopher, defines critical thinking as "the intellectually disciplined process of actively and skillfully conceptualizing, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating information gathered from, or generated by, observation, experience, reflection, reasoning, or communication as a guide to belief and action."

Robert Ennis , professor emeritus at the University of Illinois, describes critical thinking as "reasonable, reflective thinking focused on deciding what to believe or do."

Diane Halpern , a cognitive psychologist and former president of the American Psychological Association, defines it as "the use of cognitive skills or strategies that increase the probability of a desirable outcome."

Decision-making tools for agile businesses

In this ebook, learn how to equip employees to make better decisions—so your business can pivot, adapt, and tackle challenges more effectively than your competition.

Top 8 critical thinking skills

Critical thinking is essential for success in everyday life, higher education, and professional settings. The handbook "Foundation for Critical Thinking" defines it as a process of conceptualization, analysis, synthesis, and evaluation of information.

In no particular order, here are eight key critical thinking abilities that can help you excel in any situation:

1. Analytical thinking

Analytical thinking involves evaluating data from multiple sources in order to come to the best conclusions. Analytical thinking allows people to reject cognitive biases and strive to gather and analyze intricate subject matter while solving complex problems. Analytical thinkers who thrive at critical thinking can:

Identify patterns and trends in the data

Break down complex issues into manageable components

Recognize cause-and-effect relationships

Evaluate the strength of arguments and evidence

Example: A data analyst breaks down complex sales figures to identify trends and patterns that inform the company's marketing strategy.

2. Open-mindedness

Open-mindedness is the willingness to consider new ideas, arguments, and information without prejudice. This critical thinking skill helps you analyze and process information to come to an unbiased conclusion. Part of the critical thinking process is letting your personal biases go, taking information at face value and coming to a conclusion based on multiple points of view .

Open-minded critical thinkers demonstrate:

Willingness to consider alternative viewpoints

Ability to suspend judgment until sufficient evidence is gathered

Receptiveness to constructive criticism and feedback

Flexibility in updating beliefs based on new information

Example: During a product development meeting, a team leader actively considers unconventional ideas from junior members, leading to an innovative solution.

3. Problem-solving

Effective problem solving is a cornerstone of critical thinking. It requires the ability to identify issues, generate possible solutions, evaluate alternatives, and implement the best course of action. This critical thinking skill is particularly valuable in fields like project management and entrepreneurship.

Key aspects of problem-solving include:

Clearly defining the problem

Gathering relevant information

Brainstorming potential solutions

Evaluating the pros and cons of each option

Implementing and monitoring the chosen solution

Reflecting on the outcome and adjusting as necessary

Example: A high school principal uses problem-solving skills to address declining student engagement by surveying learners, consulting with higher education experts, and implementing a new curriculum that balances academic rigor with practical, real-world applications.

4. Reasoned judgment

Reasoned judgment is a key component of higher order thinking that involves making thoughtful decisions based on logical analysis of evidence and thorough consideration of alternatives. This critical thinking skill is important in both academic and professional settings. Key aspects reasoned judgment include:

Objectively gathering and analyzing information

Evaluating the credibility and relevance of evidence

Considering multiple perspectives before drawing conclusions

Making decisions based on logical inference and sound reasoning

Example: A high school science teacher uses reasoned judgment to design an experiment, carefully observing and analyzing results before drawing conclusions about the hypothesis.

5. Reflective thinking

Reflective thinking is the process of analyzing one's own thought processes, actions, and outcomes to gain deeper understanding and improve future performance. Good critical thinking requires analyzing and synthesizing information to form a coherent understanding of a problem. It's an essential critical thinking skill for continuous learning and improvement.

Key aspects of reflective thinking include:

Critically examining one's own assumptions and cognitive biases

Considering diverse viewpoints and perspectives

Synthesizing information from various experiences and sources

Applying insights to improve future decision-making and actions

Continuously evaluating and adjusting one's thinking processes

Example: A community organizer reflects on the outcomes of a recent public event, considering what worked well and what could be improved for future initiatives.

6. Communication

Strong communication skills help critical thinkers articulate ideas clearly and persuasively. Communication in the workplace is crucial for effective teamwork, leadership, and knowledge dissemination. Key aspects of communication in critical thinking include:

Clearly expressing complex ideas

Active listening and comprehension

Adapting communication styles to different audiences

Constructing and delivering persuasive arguments

Example: A manager effectively explains a new company policy to her team, addressing their concerns and ensuring everyone understands its implications.

7. Research

Critical thinkers with strong research skills gather, evaluate, and synthesize information from various sources of information. This is particularly important in academic settings and in professional fields that require continuous learning. Effective research involves:

Identifying reliable and relevant sources of information

Evaluating the credibility and bias of sources

Synthesizing information from multiple sources

Recognizing gaps in existing knowledge

Example: A journalist verifies information from multiple credible sources before publishing an article on a controversial topic.

8. Decision-making

Effective decision making is the culmination of various critical thinking skills that allow an individual to draw logical conclusions and generalizations. It involves weighing options, considering consequences, and choosing the best course of action. Key aspects of decision-making include:

Defining clear criteria for evaluation

Gathering and analyzing relevant information

Considering short-term and long-term consequences

Managing uncertainty and risk

Balancing logic and intuition

Example: A homeowner weighs the costs, benefits, and long-term implications before deciding to invest in solar panels for their house.

7 steps to improve critical thinking

Critical thinking is a skill that you can build by following these seven steps. The seven steps to critical thinking help you ensure you’re approaching a problem from the right angle, considering every alternative, and coming to an unbiased conclusion.

First things first: When to use the 7 step critical thinking process

There’s a lot that goes into the full critical thinking process, and not every decision needs to be this thought out. Sometimes, it’s enough to put aside bias and approach a process logically. In other, more complex cases, the best way to identify the ideal outcome is to go through the entire critical thinking process. 

The seven-step critical thinking process is useful for complex decisions in areas you are less familiar with. Alternatively, the seven critical thinking steps can help you look at a problem you’re familiar with from a different angle, without any bias. 

If you need to make a less complex decision, consider another problem solving strategy instead. Decision matrices are a great way to identify the best option between different choices. Check out our article on 7 steps to creating a decision matrix .

1. Identify the problem or question

Before you put those critical thinking skills to work, you first need to identify the problem you’re solving. This step includes taking a look at the problem from a few different perspectives and asking questions like: 

What’s happening? 

Why is this happening? 

What assumptions am I making? 

At first glance, how do I think we can solve this problem? 

A big part of developing your critical thinking skills is learning how to come to unbiased conclusions. In order to do that, you first need to acknowledge the biases that you currently have. Does someone on your team think they know the answer? Are you making assumptions that aren’t necessarily true? Identifying these details helps you later on in the process. 

2. Gather relevant information

At this point, you likely have a general idea of the problem—but in order to come up with the best solution, you need to dig deeper. 

During the research process, collect information relating to the problem, including data, statistics, historical project information, team input, and more. Make sure you gather information from a variety of sources, especially if those sources go against your personal ideas about what the problem is or how to solve it.

Gathering varied information is essential for your ability to apply the critical thinking process. If you don’t get enough information, your ability to make a final decision will be skewed. Remember that critical thinking is about helping you identify the objective best conclusion. You aren’t going with your gut—you’re doing research to find the best option

3. Analyze and evaluate data

Just as it’s important to gather a variety of information, it is also important to determine how relevant the different information sources are. After all, just because there is data doesn’t mean it’s relevant. 

Once you’ve gathered all of the information, sift through the noise and identify what information is relevant and what information isn’t. Synthesizing all of this information and establishing significance helps you weigh different data sources and come to the best conclusion later on in the critical thinking process. 

To determine data relevance, ask yourself:

How reliable is this information? 

How significant is this information? 

Is this information outdated? Is it specialized in a specific field? 

4. Consider alternative points of view

One of the most useful parts of the critical thinking process is coming to a decision without bias. In order to do so, you need to take a step back from the process and challenge the assumptions you’re making. 

We all have bias—and that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Unconscious biases (also known as cognitive biases) often serve as mental shortcuts to simplify problem solving and aid decision making. But even when biases aren’t inherently bad, you must be aware of your biases in order to put them aside when necessary. 

Before coming to a solution, ask yourself:

Am I making any assumptions about this information? 

Are there additional variables I haven’t considered? 

Have I evaluated the information from every perspective? 

Are there any viewpoints I missed?

5. Draw logical conclusions

Finally, you’re ready to come to a conclusion. To identify the best solution, draw connections between causes and effects. Use the facts you’ve gathered to evaluate the most objective conclusion. 

Keep in mind that there may be more than one solution. Often, the problems you’re facing are complex and intricate. The critical thinking process doesn’t necessarily lead to a cut-and-dry solution—instead, the process helps you understand the different variables at play so you can make an informed decision. 

6. Develop and communication solutions

Communication is a key skill for critical thinkers. It isn’t enough to think for yourself—you also need to share your conclusion with other project stakeholders. If there are multiple solutions, present them all. There may be a case where you implement one solution, then test to see if it works before implementing another solution. 

This process of communicating and sharing ideas is key in promoting critical thinking within a team or organization. By encouraging open dialogue and collaborative problem-solving, you create an environment that fosters the development of critical thinking skills in others.

7. Reflect and learn from the process

The seven-step critical thinking process yields a result—and you then need to put that solution into place. After you’ve implemented your decision, evaluate whether or not it was effective. Did it solve the initial problem? What lessons—whether positive or negative—can you learn from this experience to improve your critical thinking for next time? 

By engaging in this metacognitive reflective thinking process, you're essentially teaching critical thinking to yourself, refining your methodology with each iteration. This reflective practice is fundamental in developing a more robust and adaptable approach to problem-solving.

Depending on how your team shares information, consider documenting lessons learned in a central source of truth. That way, team members that are making similar or related decisions in the future can understand why you made the decision you made and what the outcome was.

Example of critical thinking in the workplace

Imagine you work in user experience design (UX). Your team is focused on pricing and packaging and ensuring customers have a clear understanding of the different services your company offers. Here’s how to apply the critical thinking process in the workplace in seven steps: 

Step 1: Start by identifying the problem

Your current pricing page isn’t performing as well as you want. You’ve heard from customers that your services aren’t clear, and that the page doesn’t answer the questions they have. This page is really important for your company, since it’s where your customers sign up for your service. You and your team have a few theories about why your current page isn’t performing well, but you decide to apply the critical thinking process to ensure you come to the best decision for the page. 

Gather information about how the problem started

Part of identifying the problem includes understanding how the problem started. The pricing and packaging page is important—so when your team initially designed the page, they certainly put a lot of thought into it. Before you begin researching how to improve the page, ask yourself: 

Why did you design the pricing page the way you did? 

Which stakeholders need to be involved in the decision making process? 

Where are users getting stuck on the page?

Are any features currently working?

Step 2: Then gather information and research

In addition to understanding the history of the pricing and packaging page, it’s important to understand what works well. Part of this research means taking a look at what your competitor’s pricing pages look like. 

Ask yourself: 

How have our competitors set up their pricing pages?

Are there any pricing page best practices? 

How does color, positioning, and animation impact navigation? 

Are there any standard page layouts customers expect to see? 

Step 3: Organize and analyze information

You’ve gathered all of the information you need—now you need to organize and analyze it. What trends, if any, are you noticing? Is there any particularly relevant or important information that you have to consider? 

Step 4: Consider alternative viewpoints to reduce bias

In the case of critical thinking, it’s important to address and set bias aside as much as possible. Ask yourself: 

Is there anything I’m missing? 

Have I connected with the right stakeholders? 

Are there any other viewpoints I should consider? 

Step 5: Determine the most logical solution for your team

You now have all of the information you need to design the best pricing page. Depending on the complexity of the design, you may want to design a few options to present to a small group of customers or A/B test on the live website.

Step 6: Communicate your solution to stakeholders

Critical thinking can help you in every element of your life, but in the workplace, you must also involve key project stakeholders . Stakeholders help you determine next steps, like whether you’ll A/B test the page first. Depending on the complexity of the issue, consider hosting a meeting or sharing a status report to get everyone on the same page. 

Step 7: Reflect on the results

No process is complete without evaluating the results. Once the new page has been live for some time, evaluate whether it did better than the previous page. What worked? What didn’t? This also helps you make better critical decisions later on.

Tools and techniques to improve critical thinking skills

As the importance of critical thinking continues to grow in academic and professional settings, numerous tools and resources have been developed to help individuals enhance their critical thinking skills. Here are some notable contributions from experts and institutions in the field:

Mind mapping for better analysis

Mind mapping is a visual technique that helps organize and structure information. It's particularly useful for synthesizing complex ideas and identifying connections between different concepts. The benefits of mind mapping include:

Enhancing creativity by encouraging non-linear thinking

Improving memory and retention of information

Facilitating brainstorming and idea generation

Providing a clear overview of complex topics

To create a mind map:

Start with a central idea or concept.

Branch out with related sub topics or ideas.

Use colors, symbols, and images to enhance visual appeal and memorability.

Draw connections between related ideas across different branches.

Mind mapping can be particularly effective in project planning , content creation, and studying complex subjects.

The Socratic Method for deeper understanding

The Socratic Method, named after the ancient Greek philosopher Socrates, involves asking probing questions to stimulate critical thinking and illuminate ideas. This technique is widely used in higher education to teach critical thinking. Key aspects of the Socratic Method include:

Asking open-ended questions that encourage deeper reflection

Challenging assumptions and preconceived notions

Exploring the implications and consequences of ideas

Fostering intellectual curiosity and continuous inquiry

The Socratic Method can be applied in various settings:

In education, to encourage students to think deeply about subject matter

In business, it is important to challenge team members to consider multiple points of view.

In personal development, to examine one's own beliefs and decisions

Example: A high school teacher might use the Socratic Method to guide students through a complex ethical dilemma, asking questions like "What principles are at stake here?" and "How might this decision affect different stakeholders?"

SWOT analysis for comprehensive evaluation

SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) analysis is a strategic planning tool that can be applied to critical thinking. It helps in evaluating situations from multiple angles, promoting a more thorough understanding of complex issues. The components of SWOT analysis are:

Strengths: internal positive attributes or assets

Weaknesses: internal negative attributes or limitations

Opportunities: External factors that could be beneficial

Threats: External factors that could be harmful

To conduct a SWOT analysis:

Clearly define the subject of analysis (e.g., a project, organization, or decision).

Brainstorm and list items for each category.

Analyze the interactions between different factors.

Use the analysis to inform strategy or decision-making.

Example: A startup might use SWOT analysis to evaluate its position before seeking investment, identifying its innovative technology as a strength, limited capital as a weakness, growing market demand as an opportunity, and established competitors as a threat.

Critical thinking resources

The Foundation for Critical Thinking : Based in California, this organization offers a wide range of resources, including books, articles, and workshops on critical thinking.

The National Council for Excellence in Critical Thinking : This council provides guidelines and standards for critical thinking instruction and assessment.

University of Louisville : Their Critical Thinking Initiative offers various resources and tools for developing critical thinking skills.

The New York Times Learning Network provides lesson plans and activities to help develop critical thinking skills through current events and news analysis.

Critical thinking frameworks and tools

Paul-Elder Critical Thinking Framework : Developed by Dr. Richard Paul and Dr. Linda Elder, this framework provides a comprehensive approach to developing critical thinking skills.

Bloom's Taxonomy : While not exclusively for critical thinking, this classification system is widely used in education to promote higher-order thinking skills.

The California Critical Thinking Disposition Inventory (CCTDI) : This assessment tool measures the disposition to engage in problems and make decisions using critical thinking.

The Ennis-Weir Critical Thinking Essay Test : Developed by Robert Ennis, this test assesses a person's ability to appraise an argument and to formulate a written argument.

By incorporating these tools and techniques into regular practice, individuals can significantly enhance their critical thinking capabilities, leading to more effective problem-solving, decision-making, and overall cognitive performance.

Critically successful 

Critical thinking takes time to build, but with effort and patience you can apply an unbiased, analytical mind to any situation. Critical thinking makes up one of many soft skills that makes you an effective team member, manager, and worker. If you’re looking to hone your skills further, read our article on the 25 project management skills you need to succeed .

Related resources

10 tips to improve nonverbal communication

Scaling clinical trial management software with PM solutions

4 ways to establish roles and responsibilities for team success

6 ways to develop adaptability in the workplace and embrace change

• For Parents
• For Educators
• Our Work and Impact
• About Digital Citizenship
• Digital Citizenship Curriculum
• Digital Citizenship (U.K.)
• Lesson Collections
• All Lesson Plans
• Digital Life Dilemmas
• SEL in Digital Life Resource Center
• Implementation Guide
• Toolkits by Topic
• Digital Citizenship Week
• Digital Connections (Grades 6–8)
• Digital Compass™ (Grades 6–8)
• Digital Passport™ (Grades 3–5)
• Social Media TestDrive (Grades 6–8)

AI Literacy for Grades 6–12

• All Apps and Websites
• Curated Lists
• Best in Class
• Common Sense Selections
• About the Privacy Program
• Privacy Evaluations
• Privacy Articles
• Privacy Direct (Free download)
• Free Back-to-School Templates
• 21 Activities to Start School
• AI Movies, Podcasts, & Books
• Learning Podcasts
• Books for Digital Citizenship
• ChatGPT and Beyond
• Should Your School Have Cell Phone Ban?
• Digital Well-Being Discussions
• Supporting LGBTQ+ Students
• Offline Digital Citizenship
• Teaching with Tech
• Movies in the Classroom
• Social & Emotional Learning
• Digital Citizenship
• Tech & Learning
• News and Media Literacy
• Common Sense Recognized Educators
• Common Sense Education Ambassadors
• Browse Events and Training
• AI Foundations for Educators
• Digital Citizenship Teacher Training
• Modeling Digital Habits Teacher Training
• Student Privacy Teacher Training

Training Course: AI Foundations for Educators

Earn your Common Sense Education badge today!

• Family Engagement Toolkit
• Digital Citizenship Resources for Families

Family Tech Planners

Family and community engagement program.

• Workshops for Families with Kids Age 0–8
• Workshops for Middle and High School Families
• Kids and Tech Video Series

• Get Our Newsletter

Back-to-School Hub

Free digital citizenship resources for back-to-school, from AI to cellphone bans and beyond!

Games for Building Critical-Thinking Skills

Students love opportunities to sink their teeth into problems that don't have clear answers, or to tackle tough challenges that test their deduction skills and knowledge. It's often out of this challenging murkiness that new perspectives and ideas emerge. Treat your students to these terrific, fun critical thinking games and watch how they develop thinking skills and more complex understandings of the world. On this list are puzzle games that help students solve problems and think ahead, story-based games that help students understand and unpack local and global issues, and strategy games that get students to manage time and resources.

Minecraft: Education Edition

Stellar collaboration tools, controls make Minecraft classroom-ready

Bottom Line : An excellent tool to engage students in learning, collaboration, and critical thinking is now more accessible than ever to teachers.

Kahoot! DragonBox Learn Chess

Gentle chess puzzle game ideal for young newbies

Bottom Line : For kids who are new to chess but want to learn how to play, this fun intro to the game provides a well-done tutorial combined with a light overarching storyline.

Crayon Physics Deluxe

Influential physics game is still a draw

Bottom Line : Instantly engaging and super accessible to learners of many ages and abilities, Crayon Physics Deluxe fuses conceptual science learning with a brand of playful problem solving that demands creativity.

Contraption Maker

Solve problems, puzzles, brain teasers while creating wacky machines

Bottom Line : Hands-on problem-solving leads to great fun and independent learning with the right curricular wraparound to connect what kids are doing with what they need to know.

Classic logic puzzler gets a beautiful new look

Bottom Line : Promote powerful thinking skills, resilience, and decision-making through purely fun gameplay that will keep students begging for more.

Spiraling sandbox of adventure and creation gets kids to dig deep

Bottom Line : An irresistible and seemingly limitless incubator for 21st century skills that, with a little guidance, can chart new courses for learning.

WordWhile: Casual Literary Fun

Clever fill-in-the-blank game playfully promotes literature

Bottom Line : A different spin on reading the classics can engage students in the short term, but teachers should find ways to extend learning.

Little Alchemy 2

Flex alchemical muscles in amusing, discovery-based puzzler

Bottom Line : This amusing puzzle game encourages creativity, perseverance, and systems thinking, and with creative integration it can build interest in math, science, history, and literature.

Addicting gameplay jazzes up geography

Bottom Line : Game-based platform can get kids interested in world geography and expose them to different cultures on a surface level.

Slick ethics game teaches students to make tough decisions

Bottom Line : This versatile game that can teach ethics, argumentation, and civics is light on interactivity but will come alive through discussion.

Scribblenauts Remix

Vocab-building word puzzles inspire creative problem-solving

Bottom Line : Wide-open problem solving builds creativity, vocabulary, and spelling skills, but controls can be tricky.

Tyto Online

Ambitious science role-playing game has bright future

Bottom Line : Diverse characters, immersive experiences, and useful teacher tools make this life science RPG worth checking out.

Beats Empire

Music producing game balances fun with critical thinking and planning

Bottom Line : Students will have a blast with the music production and band-managing theme that carries with it some useful lessons in 21st century skills.

Refinement of strategy game formula supports historical exploration

Bottom Line : Like any consumer-oriented game, this experience will absorb and delight students far more than "educational" games, but it'll require open-minded and creative teaching.

An avant-garde journey of group dynamics sparks discussion

Bottom Line : An unusual app that will confuse and entertain classrooms, generating discussion on a number of societal and philosophical topics.

Mars Horizon

Authentic space agency sim focuses on logistics, planning

Bottom Line : This sim is backed by major space agencies, so it's a neat and trustworthy way to learn about the challenges of past and future space exploration.

NewsFeed Defenders

Social media simulation builds news literacy skills

Bottom Line : This is a great tool to kick off critical discussions about news and social media.

Professor Layton and the Curious Village

Brilliant, charming puzzler challenges kids' ELA and math skills

Bottom Line : It's on Nintendo DS so it's not easy to weave into a classroom, but it's worth it, bridging ELA and math in complex puzzles guaranteed to absorb students.

The Pack - NYSCI

Deceptively gentle coding game really packs a problem-solving punch

Bottom Line : This gorgeous, immersive programming game encourages novel solutions.

Think Like Churchill

Stunning visuals, thoughtful feedback bring critical decision points to life

Bottom Line : An excellent tool for studying the events and ethics that guide pivotal moments in history.

7 Billion Humans

Amusing puzzler challenges kids, teaches programming principles

Bottom Line : This high-quality puzzle game is a fun way for students to learn effective and efficient programming skills.

BBC iReporter

Spot real stories, dodge fake news in cheeky media literacy sim

Bottom Line : A refreshingly modern way for students to explore how to filter and interpret info and media during breaking news events.

Modern, minimalist fake news game has players be the villains

Bottom Line : Quick, fun, and to the point, this game gets at the social mechanics behind viral falsehoods.

Radio General

WWII game has layers of learning, novel voice-based controls

Bottom Line : This is a refreshingly new approach to a WWII game that offers students a more accurate simulation of battlefield chaos.

Sid Meier’s Civilization VI

Best entry in classic strategy series might not be best for classrooms

Bottom Line : As with all games in this series, Civilization VI is a great learning experience with the right support, but older, cheaper versions may be more practical for classrooms.

Provocative, first-person look at poverty builds empathy

Bottom Line : It'll need some scaffolding, but for students ready for the subject matter it's a great -- if sobering -- way to illustrate to students the daily realities and struggles of poverty in America.

Surviving Mars

Colonizing Mars is in our future, but why wait?

Bottom Line : Lots of potential and perhaps much better in a year or so of updates; use this in a class about space exploration and the harsh realities of colonization.

Political Animals

Charming political campaign sim mixes data analysis and civics

Bottom Line : It's a highly entertaining and surprisingly deep way to help students see the strategy -- as well as ethical choices -- involved in elections.

Papers, Please

Mature immigration game forces tough ethical choices

Bottom Line : It's a provocative simulation about ethics and immigration that could spark debate but might be tough to implement.

Parable of the Polygons

Dynamic interactive helps classrooms explore topics of bias, diversity

Bottom Line : A fascinating way to address how communities become segregated due to individual bias.

The Republia Times

Unassuming editorial sim elegantly exposes the business of bias

Bottom Line : What this game lacks in pizzazz it makes up for in smarts, and it's certain to get students thinking and talking about bias and media politics.

This War of Mine

Strategy game offers superb, mature take on war and civilian survival

Bottom Line : A stark portrayal of civilian life in a war-torn city that requires strategic thinking and invites repeated plays.

Related Content

• SUGGESTED TOPICS
• The Magazine
• Newsletters
• Managing Yourself
• Managing Teams
• Work-life Balance
• The Big Idea
• Data & Visuals
• Reading Lists
• Case Selections
• HBR Learning
• Topic Feeds
• Account Settings
• Email Preferences

3 Simple Habits to Improve Your Critical Thinking

• Helen Lee Bouygues

But simple doesn’t mean easy.

Too many business leaders are simply not reasoning through pressing issues, and it’s hurting their organizations.  The good news is that critical thinking is a learned behavior. There are three simple things you can do to train yourself to become a more effective critical thinker: question assumptions, reason through logic, and diversify your thought and perspectives. They may sound obvious, but deliberately cultivating these three key habits of mind go a long way in helping you become better at clear and robust reasoning.

A few years ago, a CEO assured me that his company was the market leader. “Clients will not leave for competitors,” he added. “It costs too much for them to switch.” Within weeks, the manufacturing giant Procter & Gamble elected not to renew its contract with the firm. The CEO was shocked — but he shouldn’t have been.

• HB Helen Lee Bouygues is the president of the Paris-based Reboot Foundation . A former partner at McKinsey & Company, she has served as interim CEO, CFO, or COO for more than one dozen companies.

Partner Center

8 Awesome Critical Thinking Apps For Adults

What makes one person different from another? Well, besides their identity, it’s their ability to critically analyze everything and make a decision that carves a distinct life for everyone, making them unique from one another. Intellectual standards also come in handy when looking forward to determining the extent of critical thinking in an individual. 

Critical thinking is one trait that is used in many areas of life. From observing, and forming judgment to decision making, enhancing critical thinking skills has become imperative for adults. Apps can be an effective option to get started with this journey of developing such crucial life skills.

Hence, in this post, you will find the various apps that can help adults build and enhance their critical thinking skills. 

The concept of critical thinking 

Critical thinking is known as the process of actively and successfully conceiving, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating knowledge as a basis for belief and action. It requires intellectual discipline.

A Critical thinker with practice:

• raises important issues and articulate them simply and clearly
• collects and evaluates pertinent information, effectively interpreting it using abstract concepts.
• reaches well-thought-out findings and solutions, evaluating them in light of pertinent criteria and standards
• successfully collaborates with others to find solutions to challenging situations
• thinks critically about other schools of thought like recognizing and evaluating. Their underlying presuppositions, implications, and application of thoughts into actions also fall under the concept of thinking into practice.

Applications useful for critical thinking amongst adults

1. lumosity .

It is a popular brain training app developed by neuroscientists. Its purpose is to boost memory and attention span while encouraging problem-solving behavior and divergent thinking to think of flexible solutions. 

The cognitive training program on Lumosity is a fun, engaging method to exercise your brain and learn more about how the mind functions. The Lumosity application, which is used by more than 100 million people worldwide, consists of games that challenge players’ memory, speed, flexibility, and problem-solving skills.

This app helps train adults into a more critical state by taking their time and utilizing it into solving puzzles through this app, the critical thinking quality will flourish among them.

App link : Play store | App store | Web app

It is a personalized app to train the brain and consists of daily game workouts. It provides a calendar that is easy to access and allows you to log your workout conveniently to track your performance and progress. 

The app consists of 30 cognitive and concentration games relevant enough to help progress critical thinking and provides adaptive difficulty progression.

A very important aspect that this app provides is what medical professionals have been telling us since the inception of time, exercise. Be it physical or mental, this app helps in scheduling exercises well in advance for a busy adult.

App Link: Play store | App store | Web app

3. Brain it on

It is a physics-based puzzle game that offers different types of brain stimulation through challenges and puzzles. It asks the user to solve different puzzles by drawing on the screen, and the purpose is to encourage divergent thinking and problem-solving.

It is a highly rated app under the recommendation for mental skills.

“Brain it On!” features an arcade-style appearance and launches the main game as soon as the app is opened. The game will begin with simple challenges like drawing a straight line, tilting a form in a certain way, etc., similar to other casual puzzle games. Making the most of the early levels is crucial because as the game progresses, the riddles will become increasingly challenging.

App link: Play store | App store | Web App

This app is available on both Google Play and iOS App Store. It provides more than 45 brain training games that combine technology and neuroscience and aims to improve memory, attention, problem-solving, and mental agility through fun.

In addition, the app improves users’ performance by providing feedback after each game and provides insights and statistics based on the user’s age and profession.

Three times a week of practice is advised by the developers. Each exercise adapts to the user’s proficiency level and concludes with feedback. The basic premium edition of Peak Pro gives unlimited access to all 40+ exercises, along with individualized training sessions and comprehensive feedback (mainly percentage and graphs on progress), whereas the basic free version only permits a small selection of randomly chosen daily activities.

5. Brainwell

This rather cool app provides over 50 games to stimulate different parts of your brain. It includes journals like puzzles, teasers, mind tests, and more. It functions to improve memory, attention span, focus, and IQ. 

With over 1 million downloads, it promises to help with problem-solving, attention, visual skills, and language. Designed with neuroscience knowledge, it challenges the users and helps sharpen one’s mind.

App Link: Play store | App store

This game app has been a favorite for adults for a long time. The online version of chess, similar to the offline game, helps an individual develop foresight and perseverance. It tests an individual’s sportsmanship and helps sharpen thinking and decision-making skills.

Chess is bound to improve an individual’s cognitive skills, attention span, and memory along with logical thinking and comes with many more benefits. 

This app and its cognitive enhancing power are known to the entire world, probably the most adult-friendly among the lot, this app is an amazing productive time-pass for busy professionals out there.

App link : Play store | Web app

7. Brainturk

The printer is a mobile and computer-based app that provides over 40 games and meditation techniques based on neuroplasticity principles. These games help improve attention span, language skills, focus, short and long-term cognitive memory, and tools to address psychological barriers.

Neuropsychological researchers have used these games as they were shown to increase the strength of brain muscles and memory speed and provide complex stimulation to an individual’s brain. Some of the games include the flanker task, Stroop task, picture back, tracking objects, revised space fortress, and math games.

App link: Play store | App store | Web app

8. Geist 

Geist is another brain training app designed to keep the brain functioning actively. It is based on neuroplasticity and developed by experts and has also been used in the research community. 

It provides 24 games with more than 720 levels that help in improving brain connectivity, memory, logic concentration, reaction, and mathematical skills. It also provides workouts that a personalized win individual, cater to their curated goals, and allows tracking of the progress based on scientific testing. 

It also provides a series of meditation that helps in brain training. Geist provides a study of your performance following a brain training session. It compares you to other Geist users and identifies some of your cognitive strong points. You can unlock new tests by using the Geist points you earn by doing well on these exercises. This is a wonderful addition because it makes sure users are proficient before moving on.

App link: App store

Conclusion 

It is important that we view the world from a subjective point of view; for that, we require information and the ability to identify assumptions and arguments from hardcore facts and truth. Critical thinking aims to reason and inquire about creating and updating one’s opinions based on solid arguments. Being able to think critically is practical for us as individuals since it is important in a world that prioritizes the ability to manage information.

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of  Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

You must be logged in to post a comment.

The 6 Best Apps to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

Your changes have been saved

Email is sent

Email has already been sent

Please verify your email address.

You’ve reached your account maximum for followed topics.

Power Up Your PDFs: These 9 Apps Turn Them Into Fillable Forms

How to add a shared mailbox in outlook (and why it’s useful), why everyone should use a gaming keyboard (even non-gamers).

Your ability to solve problems is a valuable skill you cannot do without if you want to succeed in your career, business, and life. While most people learn to solve problems primarily through exposure to challenging situations and having to find solutions almost immediately, others don't.

As such, not everyone is skilled at effective problem-solving. However, there is an easy way to improve your problem-solving skills using technology. Today, there are several fun ways to do so, including playing brain games on your mobile. Here are six game apps you can use to develop problem-solving skills while having fun.

1. Lumosity

Lumosity is a web app that helps you improve your mental skills. It is programmed with activities that help people improve their memory, flexibility, rate of processing information, and concentration levels. Thus, Lumosity is a great tool to help you develop problem-solving capabilities.

Lumosity was launched in 2007 and had over 70 million users as of January 2015. The app is available in English, French, Spanish, and German.

Download : Lumosity for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Happify is a company that works to enhance personal, organizational, and healthcare effectiveness by improving the emotional health of its users.

The Happify app incorporates scientific experiments into gaming activities designed to improve resilience and mindfulness and tackle health conditions like mood disorders, depression, anxiety, severe pain, and insomnia. Thus, it is a great healthcare software platform for improving your mental and physical conditions.

Download : Happify for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Launched by Elevate Labs in 2014, Elevate is a brain game app that focuses on improving its users' reading, writing, speaking, listening, and math skills. It is also one of the best android apps to help you solve math problems .

Seeing you already possess the skills mentioned above, you may wonder, is the Elevate brain training app worth your time ? The truth is, there is always room for improvement, hence, the need for you to keep developing these skills. And, as you pass each assessment in the training sessions, the difficulty level increases. This way, you can test whether your abilities are basic or strong.

Download : Elevate for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

4. Neuronation

Neuronation is a cognitive training site and app that was made public in 2011. Since then, over 10 million people have used the app. The Neuronation app focuses on improving users' cognitive abilities, such as thinking, learning, understanding, and remembering, through its specialized training activities in the program.

Although native to Germany, the app is available in over eight languages, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, and German. Additionally, the app enjoys widespread use, especially among German healthcare practitioners.

Download: Neuronation for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

The Peak brain training app is designed to correct cognitive disorders with the help of short, interactive games. To get started on the Peak brain game app, you will be required to set goals on areas you want to improve, like mental processing, emotional strength, linguistic skills, recollection, concentration levels, and problem-solving.

Once you complete this stage, a virtual coach will be assigned to guide you through the program, and you will be given an assessment. Immediately after you finish each assessment, you will receive feedback based on your result.

You can start using the app for free with the basic version, but it has a limited number of daily exercises that are randomly selected. On the other hand, with the paid version, Peak Pro, you enjoy unlimited access to over 40+ exercises, alongside detailed feedback and personalized training sessions.

Download : Peak for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

6. New York Times Crossword

The New York Times Crossword is a daily puzzle published by the renowned New York Times magazine on their website and mobile apps. The New York Times Crossword puzzle dates back to 1942. The first puzzle was published on Sunday, 15 February 1942.

Several freelance puzzle developers generate the puzzle. The puzzle gets tougher as each day goes by in a week, so the simplest puzzles are on Mondays, and the hardest are on Saturdays. Sunday's crossword puzzle is a 21×21 square matrix, whereas the daily crossword puzzle is a 15×15 square matrix. The crossword and other free puzzle games greatly improve critical thinking, learning, and reasoning abilities.

Download : New York Times Crossword for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Have Fun While Improving Your Problem-solving Skills

Developing cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and problem-solving skills are no longer challenging. Thanks to these brain game apps, you can develop and improve your mental and emotional abilities more easily, faster, and while having fun.

• Productivity
• Soft Skills

Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills: A Comprehensive Guide

Home » Articles » Parenting » Kids » 5 Ways to Improve Critical Thinking Skills

5 Ways to Improve Critical Thinking Skills

Several months ago, my family and I stayed in a yurt while on vacation. If you don’t know what that is, imagine a cross between a large hotel room and a tent. In other words, it was glorified camping. It was fun, or at least interesting. The yurt was on property owned by a college professor, who we had the pleasure to talk to each day. When we asked her about her students, she said over the last couple of decades, students have lost critical thinking skills.

But critical thinking skills are essential for kids to thrive and to make the world a better place. We have to instill them in our kids. Something a friend of mine uses for this is the Go Bible . It’s easy to read with lots of applications and poses questions to kids about everyday scenarios. Great exercises and tools like that can help kids formulate their thoughts and make better decisions. Here are 5 more ways to improve critical thinking skills.

1. Encourage curiosity.

Encourage your kids to explore and learn new things . It will teach them to have an open mind and gather facts before arriving at a conclusion. According to research by Harvard Business Review, curiosity “encourages [people] to put themselves in one another’s shoes and take an interest in one another’s ideas rather than focus only on their own perspective.”

2. Carve out time for free play.

In his book The Anxious Generation , Jonathan Haidt argues that giving kids more free play helps kids learn to resolve problems, think creatively, and even reduce bad behavior. Free play has disappeared over the last few decades, and our kids’ ability to self direct and solve relational problems has taken a hit. So, take them to a park, back away, and let them play.

3. Ask open ended questions.

Asking your kids open ended questions helps their problem-solving and encourages their vocabulary as they formulate words. Questions like these challenge kids and give them an open road to produce their own original thoughts. If you have trouble thinking of questions, find tools that can give you ideas, like the Go Bible that my friend uses.

4. Play strategy games.

My dad taught me to play chess when I was six. It trained me to think a couple moves ahead and about the consequences of my actions. Playing strategy games with your kids is a great way to sharpen your kids’ brains to problem-solve, evaluate strengths and weaknesses, and evaluate cause and effect.

5. Let them solve their own problems.

It’s hard to watch our kids experience pain. If you are like me, it gives you a terrible bout of stress. That’s probably why I swoop in and solve the problem for them—it gives me relief. But that robs them of an opportunity to grow stronger and learn critical thinking skills. I love the scene in Finding Nemo where the dad turtle lets his son struggle to figure out how to get back to him after getting momentarily separated. I need to be more like that. When your kids run into a problem, let them figure it out, unless it’s an emergency.

Sound off: What are some other things we can do to improve our kids’ critical thinking skills?

Huddle Up Question

Huddle up with your kids and ask, “What’s one thing you’d like to learn more about?”

More Resources

5 Ways to Combat Kids’ Shortening Attention Spans

The Worst Places Teens Go to Find Answers to Life

3 Skills Kids Gain When They Take Risks

QUICK LINKS

• Contributors
• Fostering and Adoption

5509 W. Gray Street, Suite 100 Tampa, FL 33609 (813) 222-8300

EMAIL SIGN UP

Copyright © 2024 Family First, INC. All Rights Reserved. Site Design by Design Extensions

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use

How to Improve Your Critical Thinking Skills

Traditional tools and new technologies..

Posted September 29, 2023 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma

Technology provides access to vast information and makes daily life easier. Yet, too much reliance on technology potentially interferes with the acquisition and maintenance of critical thinking skills in several ways:

1. Information Overload : The constant influx of data can discourage deep critical thinking as we may come to rely on quick, surface-level information rather than delving deeply into a subject.

2. Shortened Attention Span: Frequent digital distractions can disrupt our ability for the sustained focus and concentration required for critical thinking.

3. Confirmatory Bias and Echo Chambers: Technology, including social media and personalized content algorithms, can reinforce confirmation bias . People are often exposed to information that aligns with their beliefs and opinions, making them less likely to encounter diverse perspectives and engage in critical thinking about opposing views.

4. Reduced Problem-Solving Opportunities: Technology often provides quick solutions to problems. While this benefits efficiency, it may discourage individuals from engaging in complex problem-solving, a fundamental aspect of critical thinking.

5. Loss of Research Skills: The ease of accessing information online can diminish traditional research skills, such as library research or in-depth reading. These skills are essential for critical thinking, as they involve evaluating sources, synthesizing information, and analyzing complex texts.

While technology can pose challenges to developing critical thinking skills, it's important to note that technology can also be a valuable tool for learning and skill development. It can provide access to educational resources, facilitate collaboration , and support critical thinking when used thoughtfully and intentionally. Balancing technology use with activities that encourage deep thinking and analysis is vital to lessening its potential adverse effects on critical thinking.

Writing is a traditional and powerful tool to exercise and improve your critical thinking skills. Consider these ways writing can help enhance critical thinking:

1. Clarity of Thought: Writing requires that you articulate your thoughts clearly and coherently. When you need to put your ideas on paper, you must organize them logically, which requires a deeper understanding of the subject matter.

2. Analysis and Evaluation: Critical thinking involves analyzing and evaluating information. When you write, you often need to assess the validity and relevance of different sources, arguments, or pieces of evidence, which hone your critical thinking skills.

3. Problem-Solving: Writing can be a problem-solving exercise in itself. Whether crafting an argument, developing a thesis, or finding the right words to express your ideas, writing requires thinking critically about approaching these challenges effectively.

4. Research Skills: Good writing often involves research, and research requires critical thinking. You need to assess the credibility of sources, synthesize information, and draw conclusions based on the evidence you gather.

5. Argumentation: Constructing a persuasive argument in writing is a complex process requiring critical thinking. You must anticipate counterarguments, provide evidence to support your claims, and address potential weaknesses in your reasoning.

6. Revision and Editing: To be an influential writer, you must learn to read your work critically. Editing and revising requires evaluating your writing objectively, identifying areas that need improvement, and refining your ideas and arguments.

7. Problem Identification: In some cases, writing can help you identify problems or gaps in your thinking. As you write, you might realize that your arguments are not as strong as you initially thought or that you need more information to support your claims. This recognition of limitations is a crucial aspect of critical thinking.

Writing is a dynamic process that engages multiple facets of critical thinking. It has been a valuable tool used in education , business, and personal development for centuries.

Yet, this traditional approach of self-generated written thoughts is rapidly being supplanted by AI -generated writing tools like Chat GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer. With over 100 million users of Chat GPT alone, we cannot ignore its potential impact. How might the increasing reliance on AI-generated writing tools influence our critical thinking skills? The impact can vary depending on how the tools are used and the context in which they are employed.

Critical thinking involves evaluating information sources for credibility, relevance, and bias. If individuals consistently trust the information provided by chatbots without critically assessing its quality, it can hinder their development of critical thinking skills. This is especially true if they depend on the chatbot to provide answers without questioning or verifying the information. Relying solely on chatbots for answers may also reduce people's effort in problem-solving. Critical thinking often requires wrestling with complex problems, considering multiple perspectives, and generating creative solutions. If we default to chatbots for quick answers, we may miss opportunities to develop these skills.

However, it's essential to note that the impact of chatbots on critical thinking skills may not be entirely negative. These tools can also have positive effects:

1. Chatbots provide quick access to vast information, which can benefit research and problem-solving. When used as a supplement to critical thinking, they can enhance the efficiency of information retrieval.

2. Chatbots can sometimes assist in complex tasks by providing relevant data or suggestions. When individuals critically evaluate and integrate this information into their decision-making process, it can enhance their critical thinking.

3. Chatbots can be used as learning aids. They can provide explanations, examples, and guidance, which can support skill development and, when used effectively, encourage critical thinking.

In summary, the impact of chatbots on critical thinking skills depends on how we use them. The effect will be harmful if they become a crutch to avoid independent thought or analysis. However, they can be valuable resources when used as tools to facilitate and augment critical thinking and writing processes. Individuals must balance leveraging the convenience of chatbots and actively engaging in independent critical thinking and problem-solving to maintain and enhance their cognitive abilities. You can do that effectively through writing regularly.

Copyright 2023 Tara Well, PhD

Tara Well, Ph.D. , is a professor in the department of psychology at Barnard College of Columbia University.

• Find a Therapist
• Find a Treatment Center
• Find a Psychiatrist
• Find a Support Group
• Find Online Therapy
• United States
• Brooklyn, NY
• Chicago, IL
• Houston, TX
• Los Angeles, CA
• New York, NY
• Portland, OR
• San Diego, CA
• San Francisco, CA
• Seattle, WA
• Washington, DC
• Asperger's
• Bipolar Disorder
• Chronic Pain
• Eating Disorders
• Passive Aggression
• Personality
• Goal Setting
• Positive Psychology
• Stopping Smoking
• Low Sexual Desire
• Relationships
• Child Development
• Self Tests NEW
• Therapy Center
• Diagnosis Dictionary
• Types of Therapy

Sticking up for yourself is no easy task. But there are concrete skills you can use to hone your assertiveness and advocate for yourself.

• Emotional Intelligence
• Gaslighting
• Affective Forecasting
• Neuroscience

More From Forbes

The power of diversity and inclusion: driving innovation and success.

• Share to Facebook
• Share to Twitter
• Share to Linkedin

Jason Miller helps influential brands and celebrities create generational wealth with their businesses | CEO, Strategic Advisor Board .

Diversity and inclusion is a strategic advantage that promotes innovation in organizations, better decision making and stronger workplace cultures. See the strategies for building a diverse and inclusive organization to achieve long-term business success.

The value of diversity and inclusion has become increasingly recognized in society and in business. Organizations that promote diversity and cultivate inclusive environments are reaping huge rewards in terms of innovation, better decision making and better performance overall. The positive impact of diversity and inclusion extends beyond social responsibility; it is a strategic imperative that drives success and positions companies for long-term sustainability.

The Business Case For Diversity And Inclusion

Diversity can stimulate innovation by challenging conventional thinking, encouraging fresh ideas and promoting creative problem-solving. In research studies, diverse groups with people who have different backgrounds, genders, experiences and perspectives consistently generate more innovative solutions than homogeneous groups. Embracing diversity unlocks the potential for innovative products, services and approaches.

Enhanced Decision Making And Problem-Solving

Organizations can make better decisions by leveraging their workforce's diverse expertise and knowledge. Individuals are empowered to share their opinions and unique insights in inclusive environments. Organizations can benefit from well-rounded discussions and comprehensive evaluations by valuing and incorporating diverse perspectives. As a result of considering a wider range of possibilities and challenging groupthink, diverse teams are more effective at solving complex problems.

Benefits Of Diversity And Inclusion For Organizations

The financial performance of companies prioritizing diversity and inclusion consistently outperforms their peers. Financial returns are strongly correlated with diverse executive boards. Although, it’s important to note that diversity and inclusion should come from a place of increasing better work environments and employee satisfaction, and not firstly from a financially charged approach.

Increasing market share and customer loyalty is easier for companies that focus on diversity since they are better equipped to understand and connect with a broader customer base. Diversity can also foster a competitive advantage for companies attracting and retaining rockstar employees.

Enhanced Employee Engagement And Productivity

An inclusive culture cultivates a sense of belonging, respect and psychological safety, which increases employee engagement and productivity . This is because employees are more likely to feel valued for their unique contributions when they are celebrated and recognized. This type of environment encourages collaboration and innovation, as individuals from a variety of backgrounds bring with them different skills, perspectives and life experiences.

Strengthened Employer Brand And Reputation

Companies prioritizing diversity and inclusion are considered employers of choice by top talent. In today's socially conscious world, committed and dedicated employees are more likely to feel valued for their unique contributions if they are committed and dedicated to achieving organizational culture and promoting diversity in their workforce. This positive perception attracts diverse talent and strengthens relationships with customers, partners and the community.

Benefits Of Diversity And Inclusion For Employees

Creating a diversified workforce provides equal opportunities for all employees to grow and advance in their careers. Employees can then be inspired to push harder if they are celebrated for achieving organizational goals and given the ability to continue developing as staff members and individuals.

To strive towards an inclusive workspace, promote employees' sense of belonging, acceptance and well-being. In addition, you can promote improved mental health by creating supportive environments that encourage open communication, empathy and work-life balance. If employees associate good feelings with their workplaces, they can perform better.

Expanded Cultural Competence And Global Perspective

Diversity and inclusion can expose employees to various cultures, traditions and perspectives. This exposure can foster cultural competence. In my opinion, employees must be motivated, committed and dedicated to achieving organizational goals to feel valued for their unique contributions. Employees can learn and benefit from one another, better navigate diverse markets and build relationships based on cultural understanding and empathy. This cultural competence goes far beyond the workplace and creates stronger communities and a better world.

Strategies For Embracing Diversity And Fostering Inclusion

Creating a diverse and inclusive organization begins with leadership commitment and accountability. Senior leaders must champion diversity and inclusion as strategic priorities and set the tone for the organization. By leading by example, they can inspire others and strive to ensure diversity and inclusion initiatives are integrated into business strategies and practices.

Inclusive Recruitment And Hiring Practices

Organizations can promote diversity by adopting inclusive recruitment and hiring practices. This includes widening the candidate pool, leveraging diverse sourcing channels and hiring individuals from underrepresented communities. Establishing clear diversity goals and promoting diverse representation in all levels of the organization, including leadership positions, is essential and demonstrates the organization's commitment to inclusive practices.

Building Inclusive Work Cultures

Organizational culture can take some time to cultivate, but the effort is worth it. Organizations can achieve this by encouraging collaboration on projects across departments, honest communication and teamwork, and providing opportunities and resources. Training programs and workshops on unconscious bias, cultural competence and inclusive leadership can also help cultivate understanding and awareness.

Continuous Evaluation And Improvement

Building a diverse and inclusive organization is an ongoing journey. It is essential to continuously evaluate diversity and inclusion efforts through metrics, surveys and feedback mechanisms. By gathering data and insights, organizations can identify areas for improvement and develop targeted strategies. Your employees are one of your greatest resources as a business owner. Ask for feedback regularly and work to incorporate new ideas and suggestions generated by employees from all levels of the organization.

Inclusivity is not only the right thing to do, but it is a strategic advantage for organizations aiming to thrive in today's evolving workplace. By building diverse workforces, organizations can propel innovation, improve company decision-making and create an engaging and supportive work environment. Through leadership commitment, inclusive recruitment practices and cultural development, organizations can unlock the full potential of their teams and position themselves for long-term success. Let us embrace diversity and foster inclusion, not just for the benefit of our organizations but society at large.

Forbes Business Council is the foremost growth and networking organization for business owners and leaders. Do I qualify?

• Editorial Standards
• Reprints & Permissions

Solutions ∨

Learning and Performance → ∨

Mandatory Training Issue required courses and monitor compliance ∨

Continuing Education Offer clinicians training to meet license requirements ∨

Professional Development Engage staff and empower career growth ∨

Clinical Development Enhance skills with clinician-built content ∨

Certification Review Build knowledge and increase exam pass rates ∨

Competency Management Measure and evaluate knowledge, skills, and abilities ∨

Obstetrics Solution Reduce variation in care with data-driven learning ∨

Onboarding Solution Tailor nurse training and reduce turnover ∨

Recruiting and Staffing → ∨

Talent Acquisition Advertising Target your recruitment to our 3M+ nurse community ∨

Validated Assessments Gauge job fit with clinical, behavioral, situational assessments ∨

Nurse Job Board Post your nurse opportunities on Nurse.com ∨

Compliance Management → ∨

Compliance Software Meet requirements with easy to administer package ∨

View All Solutions → ∨

Who We Serve ∨

Who We Serve → ∨

Hospitals and Health Systems Large multisite systems, critical-access hospitals, staffing agencies ∨

Individual Healthcare Workers Physicians, nurses, clinicians, and allied health professionals ∨

Post-Acute and Long-Term Care Skilled nursing facilities, continuing care retirement communities and life plan communities, assisted living facilities, rehab therapy providers, and hospice agencies ∨

Behavioral and Community Health Behavioral health, intellectual and developmental disabilities, applied behavior analysis, community health centers, and children, youth, and family-serving organizations ∨

Home Health and Home Care Home health and home care agencies and organizations ∨

Government Organizations Federal, state, and local entities ∨

Case Studies ∨

PAM Health Supports Business Growth, Employee Engagement, and Better Patient Outcomes With Relias PAM Health utilized Relias to make post-acquisition employee onboarding easier and to influence positive patient outcomes through high-quality staff training and coaching. ∨

CSIG Depends on the Relias Platform Through Change and Growth Before 2020, Common Sail Investment Group (CSIG) conducted all its senior living staff training and education in person in different locations. ∨

Why Relias ∨

Why Relias → ∨

Technology Engage learners and ease burden for administrators ∨

Measurable Outcomes Improve workforce, organization, and patient results ∨

Services Reduce administrative burden with professional solutions ∨

Expert Content Trust Relias for quality, award-winning courses and tools ∨

Community Tap into clinician resources and peer support ∨

Resources → ∨

How Mental Health and Social Determinants Are Driving Maternal Mortality The CDC has uncovered another dimension affecting the already alarming problem of maternal mortality in the U.S… ∨

2023 DSP Survey Report The 2023 DSP Survey Report highlights feedback from 763 direct support professionals (DSPs) across the country on job satisfaction, supervision… ∨

Resources ∨

Resource Center → ∨

Blog Keep up with industry trends and insights ∨

Articles and Reports Review recently published thought leadership ∨

Success Stories Read about Relias clients improving outcomes ∨

Events Find Relias at an upcoming industry conference ∨

Webinars Register for upcoming key topic discussions ∨

Support Contact us for help with your account ∨

Podcast Explore conversations with healthcare experts ∨

Upcoming Event ∨

Wild on Wounds Conference 2024 Wild on Wounds (WOW) is the third largest wound care conference in the nation, focused on advancing our healthcare workforce with impactful hands-on wound care education built by and for clinicians. ∨

Contact Sales → ∨

About Relias → ∨

Careers View our open positions ∨

Media Review our latest news and make press inquiries ∨

Alliances and Partnerships Scan our industry connections and relationships ∨

Awards Check out our latest recognitions ∨

Diversity Learn more about Relias’ commitment to DEIB ∨

In the News → ∨

Relias Named to Top 10 of Top 100 Healthcare Tech Companies of 2023 Relias announced that it has been named number 10 among the Top 100 Healthcare Technology Companies of 2023 chosen by The Healthcare Technology Report. ∨

Login Portals ∨

Relias Learning ∨

Nurse.com ∨

Relias Academy ∨

Wound Care Education Institute ∨

Relias Media ∨

Need help logging in?

Article Review: Nurse Onboarding Can Improve Critical Thinking, Knowledge, and Satisfaction

By Felicia Sadler, MJ, BSN, RN, CPHQ, LSSBB , on February 3, 2022

Recently published in the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development , Onboarding New Graduate Nurses Using Assessment-Driven Personalized Learning to Improve Knowledge, Critical Thinking, and Nurse Satisfaction aimed to demonstrate how an evidence-based onboarding program can provide the most support possible to new graduate nurses as they transition from the classroom to practice.

The study compared two cohorts, one onboarded using an assessment-driven personalized learning plan, demonstrating:

• 8% improvement in communication
• 8% improvement in critical thinking
• Increased scores in all 5 medical-surgical assessment domains
• Improvement in 16 out of 24 nurse satisfaction scores (compared to only 7 out of 24 improved scores in traditional onboarding cohort)

Effective Nurse Onboarding

Healthcare leaders agree that effective onboarding is key to new nurse success, but often struggle to provide evidence-based support for specific onboarding programs.

However, healthcare organizations will benefit from measuring both the efficiency and effectiveness of an onboarding program. As leaders continue to focus on improving quality of care , improving the patient experience, and reducing readmissions, healthcare organizations find an even greater need for an effective onboarding process to ensure nurses are prepared to care for complex patient populations.

As noted in the study, traditional nursing onboarding programs have focused on technical skills and organization-specific policies and procedures. Although all of these are necessary for safe and effective care, they are not sufficient to meet the demands of today’s higher acuity, complex care environment. Higher acuity and more complex care require a higher level of critical thinking , knowledge, and clinical reasoning regarding disease process and evidence-based research and data to identify where opportunities for improvement exist or even the effectiveness of their process.

A Personalized Approach

It’s no surprise that new nurses will enter an organization with varied levels of knowledge and experiences. If nurse educators provide every nurse with the same information, some nurses may become bored and unengaged (if they’ve already mastered the information being taught), whereas other nurses who need more information may feel lost and left behind.

Nurse onboarding should be personalized to the new nurse in order to keep them engaged. As presented in the study, assessment driven, personalized learning is one important component to ensure knowledge gaps are identified and addressed. This lays the groundwork for a personalized learning approach that respects what the learner already knows.

Nurse Onboarding Study Overview

This study evaluated two cohorts, tracking their onboarding approaches. Compared to a traditional onboarding cohort, one cohort was onboarded using the Relias Onboarding assessment-driven personalized learning plan. The study compared critical thinking, knowledge, and nurse satisfaction between cohorts before and after personalized learning for onboarding.

As outlined in the article, this study showed that areas impacted by the personalized learning for onboarding, including relevant knowledge domains and critical thinking, were higher among nurses who participated in the personalized learning compared to nurses who were hired before the personalized learning was implemented.

For the measure of nurse satisfaction, the onboarding cohort showed improvement on 16 of 24 nurse experience questions between baseline and 12 months later, compared with the pre-onboarding cohort, which only showed improvement on 7 of the 24 nurse experience questions.

Research has demonstrated that effective onboarding programs show higher nurse satisfaction and higher competencies as well as lower turnover and lower stress levels. This suggests that this assessment-driven personalized learning is effective as it demonstrated higher nurse satisfaction and improvements in both knowledge and critical thinking compared to other cohorts.

Role of Relias

An efficient and effective onboarding program clearly demonstrates to new nurses that their healthcare organization is committed in their personal success and is willing to invest in them both personally and professionally.

Relias Onboarding was the assessment-driven personalized learning plan used to quantify the nurses’ clinical knowledge and judgment. This personalized learning component addresses ineffective orientation, by tailoring education to meet each individual nurse’s needs. An initial assessment identifies knowledge gaps for each nurse and then provides learning that addresses those gaps.

Additionally, preceptors can use the information from the assessment to identify which areas new nurses may need more or less support in order to help each nurse become safe, effective, and ready for independent practice.

Felicia Sadler, MJ, BSN, RN, CPHQ, LSSBB

Vice President, Quality, Relias

Share This Article

Onboarding New Graduate Nurses Using Assessment-Driven Personalized Learning to Improve Knowledge, Critical Thinking, and Nurse Satisfaction

As published in the Journal for Nurses in Professional Development, this study demonstrated how effective onboarding improved knowledge, critical thinking, and nurse satisfaction.

Related Resources

15 behavioral interview questions for nurses.

7 min read | Posted February 6, 2024

Learn 15 behavioral interview questions for nurses to identify candidates with the right characteristics and skills for success and retention.

Nursing Shortage Solutions Are Happening — Because They Must

6 min read | Posted June 2, 2023

Healthcare organizations need nursing shortage solutions to overcome serious workforce challenges that threaten the nurses who remain.

Article Review and Discussion: Determining Best Fit for Newly Licensed Nurses

4 min read | Posted February 2, 2022

A recent study showed how nurses hired into a higher job fit demonstrated a reduction in orientation time.

Connect with Us

to find out more about our training and resources

Get Started

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Looks like you have Javascript turned off! Please enable it to improve your browsing experience.

Beyond Login: Maximizing CIAM’s Security Capabilities

Register now

SMBs at Work 2024: Where SMBs are leading the way in automation

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) lead the way in embracing new technologies, giving us valuable insight into innovative practices. Larger companies can be relatively set in their ways, but SMBs must quickly find the best solutions to survive and thrive. Where SMBs choose to invest can provide valuable insight into market trends and innovative practices.

To dig into SMB behavior and how that information can help you, we’ve created the SMBs at Work 2024 report. In a series of blog posts, we have also examined SMB security innovations and specific app trends .

For our final post in the series, we wanted to look at automation.

Why should SMBs invest in automation?

When it comes to software efficiency, automation is a game changer . In SMBs, developers, IT, and security professionals wear multiple hats. Automation plays a critical role in letting them move as fast — or faster — than larger orgs. SMBs can accelerate core services in part by leveraging automation, which lets lean operations improve productivity without increasing headcount.

Don’t get us wrong: Automation offers enormous benefits for larger organizations. But for SMBs, it’s table stakes. Because SMBs have smaller headcounts, employees must execute multiple functions. Automation becomes the most important component of running repetitive business tasks, freeing employees to focus on critical initiatives.

Where and how organizations automate can change exactly what “improving productivity” looks like.  For example, they can automate operational and admin tasks like identifying inactive users, creating IT and security reports, and sending communication alerts.

Security automation is another key area where we see growth. Automating security functions can help protect against cyberattacks by automating defined responses to potential threats as they arise.

Automation can also make a big difference in lifecycle and account management. Here, automation can create, update, and revoke accounts as users join, move, and leave your company. Okta provides over 600 native integrations for tracking changes — i.e. from your HR system — and automating account provisioning to your apps. It also includes the automation of manual tasks around users, like shipping a laptop when someone joins the company or adding a user to specific Slack channels.

No-code automation meets SMBs

For many SMBs seeking to automate the workplace, no-code automation has been the solution. We've seen quick growth in Workflows (our no-code solution for customizing Identity processes), with connectors growing quickly in popularity as businesses leverage these pre-built templates to automate workflows across apps and help their businesses run more smoothly.

This year, we discovered rapid growth in connectors that automate repetitive processes between apps. Data shows a focus on collaboration apps in particular, though lifecycle support and security automation have also steadily grown. They all help businesses run more smoothly and efficiently. This is of particular interest tor SMBs, who often must leverage smaller cross-functional teams — while relentlessly outpacing competitors.  

SMBs and Identity automation 

As work grows in complexity, companies of all sizes want new ways to make their workforces more efficient and effective.

Workflows has been the answer for many SMBs. Manual admin tasks, like sending emails and creating a ticket, hurt SMBs more than companies with high employee headcounts in a couple of ways. In companies without dedicated roles for admin tasks, the impact of time wasted on mental bandwidth and execution of these tasks steals directly from critical thinking and core business activities.

SMB processes, more often than not, aren’t strictly standardized and documented (since teams are busy on many activities, rather than one or two). Without automation, it can be hard to keep track of manual tasks, especially ones that happen asynchronously or that require many subtasks. Things like onboarding or offboarding employees can become especially time- and resource-intensive, particularly when one or more human beings are needed at every step.

The most popular automation use cases and apps probably won’t surprise you 

And that’s the point. Think about the big apps you use on a daily, even hourly, basis. The ones that feel like they work best when you hardly think about them at all. 

Google, Microsoft, Slack, and Salesforce dominate the top 10 apps. Google alone makes up three of the year's top four most popular connectors thanks to year-over-year (YoY) growth between Gmail, Google Workspace, and Google Sheets.

As we said, it’s not surprising. But it makes sense. You’re going to save the most time when you automate processes and connect apps the most people use the most often. 

Automation-wise, where do we think SMBs will invest next?

By looking at trends from businesses agile enough to take advantage of changing markets and technologies, we can gain potential insights into innovative practices that could become tomorrow’s standard. Here's where we think SMBs could be headed next based on automation choices from the past year.

• Continue investing in HR-driven integrations — like BambooHR — to completely automate employee account management and reduce licensing costs as employees join, move, and leave their roles.
• Use automation to proof security and compliance to frameworks like ISO27k, SOC2, and NIS2.
• Expand workflows to offload even more manual tasks handled with checklists.

Further reading 

Any size business faces constant pressure to innovate. Automation can be an important tool for organizations seeking to improve efficiency and productivity. We encourage you to take a look at the SMBs at Work 2024 report for insight into how SMBs have chosen to innovate and build. For further related reading, readr our post on automation for benefits, tips, and how to start automating your workplace.

Learn more about

Small Businesses (SMBs) at Work 2024 

Jumpstart Identity with automation

Okta for SMBs

Lifecycle management and app provisioning

August 12, 2024

Leveraging Identity to discover vulnerabilities and determine proper access

By Elizabeth Baier Robust Identity protection starts before attackers reach your digital front door.   Identity is the most common vector of attack for bad actors looking to…

August 8, 2024

Five Game-changing lessons I learned as a Product Manager intern at Okta

By Nouf Al Soghyar Curious about what it's like to be a Product Manager intern at a leading tech company? My time at Okta was packed with valuable insights and practical…

August 5, 2024

SMBs at Work 2024: How are SMBs implementing security? We have answers.   

By Okta Small and midsize businesses (aka SMBs) are the young, scrappy, and hungry companies that drive business change, leading the way in embracing new technologies…

August 1, 2024

Okta FastPass: Phishing-resistant MFA

By Mike Witts Security practitioners worldwide face the same challenge: provide robust security and enhanced user experience. In a landscape of continued change and…

Three ways Customer Identity supports data compliance and security

By Liz Rivera Website logins. Mobile apps. Customer support portals. Chat. Digitizing the user experience means most companies have vast amounts of data on their clients,…