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The Open University

Extending and developing your thinking skills

The Open University via OpenLearn

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Overview

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Diagrams, mind-maps, tables, graphs, time lines, flow charts, sequence diagrams, decision trees: all can be used to organise thought. This free course, Extending and developing your thinking skills, will introduce you to a variety of thinking skills. Asking and answering questions is at the heart of high-quality thinking. Questions naturally arise from the desire to know and learn about things and may be the starting point for a journey of understanding.

Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • Learning outcomes
  • 1 Overview
  • 1 Overview
  • 2 Understanding the importance of thinking skills
  • 2 Understanding the importance of thinking skills
  • 3 Different kinds of thinking
  • 3 Different kinds of thinking
  • 3.1 Thinking in a higher gear
  • 3.2 Looking at the thinking a further education course involves
  • 4 A thinking disposition and the process of development
  • 4 A thinking disposition and the process of development
  • 5 Other people
  • 5 Other people
  • 6 Questions
  • 6 Questions
  • 7 Giving structure to thinking
  • 7 Giving structure to thinking
  • 7.1 Hierarchies of ideas
  • 7.2 Other ways of structuring thought
  • 7.3 Systematic approaches
  • 7.4 Visual tools
  • 7.5 Mind-maps
  • 8 Analysis, argument and critical thinking
  • 8 Analysis, argument and critical thinking
  • 8.1 Balanced argument
  • 8.2 Broadening perception
  • 8.3 Academic arguments
  • 9 Putting it all together
  • 9 Putting it all together
  • Conclusion
  • References
  • Further reading
  • Acknowledgements

Tags

Reviews

5.0 rating, based on 1 Class Central review

4.7 rating at OpenLearn based on 7 ratings

Start your review of Extending and developing your thinking skills

  • Profile image for Enrique Enriquez
    Enrique Enriquez @EEnriquez
    17
    This free course on thinking skills delivered exactly as promised. The duration matched the stated timeline, and the certificate of completion was available on demand. Content was well-organized, progressing from foundational concepts to advanced cognitive strategies, with practical exercises that supported independent learning. The course description accurately reflected the material covered, and the experience was both engaging and professionally presented. Highly recommended for learners seeking structured, time-efficient development of critical thinking and study skills.
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