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Alex Genadinik

Improve how you think, gain invaluable problem solving skills, understand the world more accurately, and with that improve your decision making and your quality of life.

LOGICAL REASONING

Learn to think better: learn critical thinking, logic, and how to examine information that is presented to you. After you synthesize all the information and put it through a good examination, you'll be more confidently and accurately able to classify certain information as true and false.

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Improve how you think, gain invaluable problem solving skills, understand the world more accurately, and with that improve your decision making and your quality of life.

LOGICAL REASONING

Learn to think better: learn critical thinking, logic, and how to examine information that is presented to you. After you synthesize all the information and put it through a good examination, you'll be more confidently and accurately able to classify certain information as true and false.

Once you have reliable information through critical thinking, you will then be able to use that information for your problem solving for life and career.

LOGICAL  But in this course, every logical fallacy we'll encounter will have real-life applications and examples to help you make the course applicable to your life.

But they miss the bigger picture. Real people are the ones solving the problems so we must also include human elements that go into problem solving. Those human elements include your confidence, mental health, and interest in the problem.

All those parts of problem solving are as important as the logical parts of problem solving, and when they are combined, your problem solving skills rise to a new level.

IMPROVE YOUR  Having more accurate information to deal with will immediately improve your decision making.

Invest in your future. Enroll today.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

Welcome to your journey to critical thinking and problem solving brilliance
Options to have a better course-taking experience
Problem solving
The #1 most important and impactful problem EVERYONE must solve
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Traffic lights

Read about what's good
what should give you pause
and possible dealbreakers
Explores logical reasoning, critical thinking, and creative problem-solving, which are valuable for both personal growth and professional advancement
Includes coverage of mindsets, confidence-building, and stress management, which are important human elements that contribute to effective problem-solving
Features exercises and examples that help learners apply critical thinking and problem-solving skills to real-life situations, enhancing practical application
Examines logical fallacies and cognitive biases, which helps learners to identify and avoid errors in reasoning and decision-making
Covers time management and prioritization strategies, which are useful for improving efficiency and achieving goals in both personal and professional contexts
Includes pseudocode exercises, which may require learners to have some familiarity with basic programming concepts or a willingness to learn them

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Reviews summary

Foundations in critical thinking and problem solving

According to learners, this course offers a solid foundation in critical thinking and problem-solving, covering a broad range of relevant topics from logic and fallacies to mindsets and creativity. Many find the content practical and applicable to both personal and professional life, appreciating the inclusion of exercises and real-world examples. It appears to be particularly beneficial for beginners looking to develop fundamental skills. However, some students with prior knowledge indicate that certain sections can be too basic and lack the desired depth. The course is generally seen as engaging and the presentation is well-received.
Offers exercises to reinforce learning.
"There are helpful exercises provided to practice the skills learned."
"The examples and exercises helped solidify my understanding."
"I found the included exercises a valuable part of the learning process."
Explores a wide range of related concepts.
"The course touches on many areas like logic, creativity, and mindset, which is comprehensive."
"It covers critical thinking, logical fallacies, and different problem-solving techniques."
"A good overview covering multiple facets related to effective thinking."
Helpful introduction for new learners.
"This was a great starting point for me, someone new to critical thinking."
"I found the concepts clear and easy to understand as a beginner."
"Provides a solid fundamental understanding for those just starting out."
Lectures and material are well-presented.
"The lessons were engaging and kept me interested throughout the course."
"I appreciated the clear and well-structured presentation of the material."
"The way the instructor explained things made complex ideas easy to grasp."
Offers practical tools usable in work and life.
"I found the strategies and methods immediately applicable to my daily work."
"This course gave me practical tools to analyze problems better in my job."
"The concepts are directly useful in real-world situations and decision-making."
"It helped me apply critical thinking to everyday challenges."
Some sections are too introductory for experts.
"If you have previous knowledge in logic or problem solving, parts might feel repetitive."
"I was hoping for more advanced coverage on certain techniques."
"Some content felt very introductory and lacked the depth I expected."
"Could use more in-depth coverage for intermediate or advanced learners."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Critical Thinking Skills & Problem Solving Brilliance with these activities:
Review 'Thinking, Fast and Slow'
Understand cognitive biases to improve critical thinking and decision-making skills.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on sections about cognitive biases and heuristics.
  • Take notes on key concepts and examples.
  • Reflect on how these biases might affect your own thinking.
Review Basic Logic Concepts
Solidify understanding of fundamental logic concepts to prepare for the course's critical thinking modules.
Browse courses on Propositional Logic
Show steps
  • Review definitions of logical connectives (AND, OR, NOT, etc.).
  • Practice constructing truth tables for simple logical statements.
  • Identify valid and invalid argument forms.
Review 'The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People'
Learn time management and prioritization skills to improve problem-solving efficiency.
Show steps
  • Read the book, focusing on the habits related to time management and prioritization.
  • Reflect on how you can apply these habits to your own life.
  • Practice implementing these habits in your daily routine.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Practice Identifying Logical Fallacies
Reinforce understanding of logical fallacies through collaborative practice and discussion.
Show steps
  • Find a study partner or form a small group.
  • Share examples of arguments containing logical fallacies.
  • Take turns identifying the fallacies and explaining why they are flawed.
  • Discuss real-world examples of these fallacies in media or politics.
Create a 'Logical Fallacy of the Week' Blog
Deepen understanding of logical fallacies by researching, explaining, and providing examples of one fallacy each week.
Show steps
  • Choose a logical fallacy to focus on for the week.
  • Research the fallacy and find real-world examples.
  • Write a blog post explaining the fallacy and its flaws.
  • Share the blog post on social media or with classmates.
Design a Decision-Making Framework
Apply course concepts to create a structured approach for making better decisions in personal or professional contexts.
Show steps
  • Identify a recurring type of decision you want to improve.
  • Research different decision-making models (e.g., cost-benefit analysis).
  • Develop a framework that incorporates critical thinking and problem-solving techniques.
  • Test the framework with real-world scenarios and refine it based on results.
Tutor other students
Reinforce your understanding of the course material by helping other students.
Show steps
  • Offer to tutor other students who are struggling with the material.
  • Prepare for tutoring sessions by reviewing the relevant material.
  • Provide clear and concise explanations of the concepts.
  • Answer questions and provide feedback.

Career center

Learners who complete Critical Thinking Skills & Problem Solving Brilliance will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:
Management Consultant
A management consultant helps organizations improve their performance by analyzing existing problems and developing plans for improvement. This role involves critical thinking to assess complex business situations and problem solving to create effective strategies. The course, with its focus on logical reasoning and identifying logical fallacies, helps management consultants evaluate information objectively. Furthermore, the course teaches methods for understanding problems correctly, an essential skill for accurately diagnosing organizational challenges. The section on creativity also allows one to generate innovative solutions.
Business Analyst
Business analysts identify business needs and determine solutions to business problems. The course's emphasis on problem solving, logical reasoning, and critical thinking directly translates to the core responsibilities of a business analyst. The material on understanding problems correctly and using pseudocode for working out solutions helps business analysts define and address business challenges clearly. In addition, the course touches on decision making, as well as mindsets, both of which are important for business analysts to understand.
Data Scientist
Data scientists analyze large datasets to extract meaningful insights and inform decision making. Critical thinking is key to interpreting data, identifying biases, and drawing valid conclusions. This course builds a foundation in logical reasoning and problem solving, which are essential for data scientists. Learning how to correctly understand problems and apply root cause analysis will aid in identifying the underlying issues in data. Also, understanding the impact of mindsets, as covered in the course, may enable data scientists to approach challenges with greater confidence.
Researcher
Researchers conduct investigations to expand knowledge in a particular field. This typically requires an advanced degree. Critical thinking and logical reasoning are essential for designing studies, interpreting data, also drawing valid conclusions. This course helps researchers develop the ability to examine information rigorously, avoid biases, and identify logical fallacies. A researcher who takes the course will improve their problem solving skills. The sections on inductive and deductive reasoning also enable high quality research.
Market Research Analyst
Market research analysts study market conditions to examine potential sales of a product or service. They need critical thinking to analyze consumer behavior, market trends, and competitor strategies. This course helps market research analysts understand and evaluate information objectively, avoiding biases and logical fallacies. The techniques taught for improving decision making and dealing with imperfect solutions may provide the analyst with ways to provide insights given incomplete data. This course may be perfect for a Market Research Analyst.
Software Engineer
Software engineers design, develop, and test software applications. The course's focus on problem solving, including the use of pseudocode and root cause analysis, helps software engineers approach complex coding challenges. A software engineer must have the right growth mindset when it comes to solving problems. The sections on logical reasoning, creativity, and understanding problems correctly are invaluable for developing efficient and effective software solutions. The material on engineering tradeoffs and working with imperfect solutions can help engineers deliver practical and reliable software.
Financial Analyst
Financial analysts evaluate financial data to provide investment recommendations or manage financial risk. Critical thinking and logical reasoning are essential for analyzing financial statements, assessing market trends, and making sound financial decisions. This course helps financial analysts to examine information rigorously, to avoid logical fallacies, and to improve decision making. The course's emphasis on understanding problems correctly and considering mindsets may allow the financial analyst to minimize or avoid biased analyses.
Political Scientist
Political scientists study the origin, development, and operation of political systems. They need critical thinking to analyze political events, interpret data, and form evidence-based opinions. They often need to have an advanced degree. This course helps political scientists evaluate information objectively and understand logical fallacies in political discourse. With the skills taught in this course, political scientists will be able to improve their decision making. Gaining techniques in creative problem solving may allow the political scientist to generate innovative solutions.
Operations Manager
Operations managers oversee the production of goods or the provision of services. They must solve problems related to efficiency, quality, and cost. This course helps operations managers develop their problem solving skills through techniques like root cause analysis and pseudocode generation. Also, the focus on understanding problems correctly can help an operations manager accurately diagnose operational issues. The course's sections on time management and decision making may provide tools for improving operational efficiency.
Project Manager
Project managers plan, execute, and close projects, ensuring they are completed on time and within budget. They must also handle unexpected challenges. This course helps project managers develop their problem solving skills using techniques like considering tradeoffs and managing stress. The course's emphasis on decision making and prioritization may provide the skills for meeting deadlines and allocating resources effectively. A project manager who takes this course will improve their critical thinking.
Human Resources Manager
Human resources managers are responsible for recruiting, hiring, and managing employees. They often need to address complex issues related to employee relations, conflict resolution, and organizational development. This course may help human resources managers improve their problem solving abilities, especially with regards to understanding problems correctly and applying root cause analysis. Also, the sections on treating others with opposing points of view enables more effective conflict management.
Urban Planner
Urban planners develop plans and programs for the use of land. This will lead to the creation of communities, accommodate population growth, and revitalize physical facilities in towns and cities. Critical thinking is central to assess community needs, evaluate environmental impact, and develop sustainable solutions. This course helps urban planners examine information objectively and understand logical fallacies. Learning ways to brainstorm will also boost the urban planner's effectiveness. Understanding these ideas may improve the urban planner's effectiveness.
Teacher
Teachers educate students in a variety of subjects. Critical thinking and problem-solving skills can help teachers present complex material in an understandable way and address student learning challenges, as well as engage in collaborative problem solving with peers. This course may give teachers methods for improving their own critical thinking, logical reasoning, and problem solving skills. The material on mindsets, confidence, and creativity may equip educators with strategies for fostering a positive learning environment.
Technical Writer
Technical writers prepare instruction manuals, how-to guides, journal articles, and other supporting documents to communicate complex and technical information more easily. Critical thinking can help technical writers extract key information from technical experts, and understand their target audience. This course helps technical writers to understand problems correctly, as well as to generate pseudocode. Both techniques can be helpful when clarifying complex technical concepts. After taking this course, a technical writer will improve their problem solving.
Investment Banker
Investment bankers advise companies on raising capital through the issuance of stocks and bonds. Investment bankers also advise companies on mergers and acquisitions. Investment bankers need critical thinking skills to analyze market trends, assess risk, and make sound financial recommendations. This course may help investment bankers develop their decision making abilities, avoid biases, and understand logical fallacies. Learning techniques in prioritization and efficient problem solving may benefit investment bankers.

Reading list

We've selected two books that we think will supplement your learning. Use these to develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a deeper understanding of the topics covered in Critical Thinking Skills & Problem Solving Brilliance.
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Explores the two systems that drive the way we think: System 1, which is fast, intuitive, and emotional; and System 2, which is slower, more deliberative, and more logical. Understanding these systems is crucial for identifying cognitive biases and improving decision-making, both of which are central to critical thinking and problem-solving. This book provides a strong foundation for the course by revealing the common pitfalls in human thought processes. It is often used as a reference text in psychology and behavioral economics courses.
Presents a principle-centered approach to personal and interpersonal effectiveness. It emphasizes character ethic over personality ethic, focusing on building strong habits based on integrity and values. The book is relevant to the course because it provides a framework for prioritizing tasks, setting goals, and managing time effectively, all of which are essential for problem-solving and decision-making. It widely recognized self-help book and is often recommended for personal and professional development.

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