Creative and Critical Thinking

Step 1: Preparation – Selection of a Problem

Identify a complex problem that may have many solutions. The problem you select may be related to your personal, community, and/or work life.

The problem must include at least two of the following factors: historical, social, ethnic, economic, technological, or geographic. For example, School District X is facing economic troubles and is forced to cut programs (economics), but is challenged to develop Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs that require a need for computers and iPads (technology). In another example, there is an increase of homeless in your home town (community), and, at the same time, a major business has downsized (economic) resulting in a shortfall in the city budget for social services.

Step 2: Write the Paper

Part I: Summary of Complex Problem

Begin the paper by writing a summary of your problem. Include a minimum of the following information:

  1. Events leading up to problem.
  2. Description of players in the problem (i.e., people, company, organization, etc.).
  3. Factors that are involved in the problem (historical, social, ethnic, economic, technological, or geographic).
  4. Purpose or reason for solving the problem.
  5. This summary should be 1- 1.5 pages.

Part II: Demonstrate Your Critical Thinking Process

To demonstrate your critical thinking process, write 4-5 pages addressing the following questions:

(1) What assumptions have you made about the problem?

(2) What biases or points of view do you have that may impact your critical thinking in solving this problem?

(3) How will you apply the universal standards of critical thinking (clarity, precision, accuracy, relevance, depth, breadth, logic, significance, and fairness) to solve the problem?

(4) Find at least two resources that can help you to solve the problem. List them here.

(5) Why are these resources helpful?

(6) What affective factors (curiosity, fair-mindedness, emotions, intellectual humility, intellectual courage, intellectual integrity, perseverance, or confidence in reason) may be associated with the problem (either your own or others)?

(7) How do these affective factors impact the critical thinking process?

(8) Identify any errors (emotional appeals, propaganda, logical fallacies, or misleading statistics) that are made in the understanding of the problem.

(9) Identify any errors that are made in the application of solutions.

(10) Describe potential solutions (minimum of 4) for the problem.

(11) What are the implications for yourself and others by implementing these solutions? Discuss a minimum of 2 factors (historical, social, ethnic, economic, technological, or geographic) implications.

Part III: Identify a Solution and Create a Plan for Implementation

Select one coherent solution to your problem. Summarize your proposed solution and rationale. Create a plan on how you would implement

that solution including steps and a timeline. Write 3-4 pages.

This section should include:

  1. Summary of the solution.
  2. Rationale for the solution being the best one for this problem.
  3. Plan to implement the solution, including detailed steps.
  4. Timeline to implement the solution.

Step 3: Complete Checklist for Submission

Before you submit, check to see if you believe you have met the criteria noted below.

Did you …

ü Include a title page and the following three components of your paper

ü Include summary of complex problem (Part I)

ü Include demonstration of the critical thinking process (Part II)

ü Include implementation plan of a solution (Part III)

Step 4: Submit Your Work (Items 1-3)

Your completed final assessment documents should be submitted through the Final Assessment page of your competency.