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Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills

What do you do when you encounter a problem? This self-paced career development course will help you think critically and creatively to solve problems and design solutions. These skills will set you apart from peers and make you a sought-after leader and teammate.

This is the third course in Fullbridge’s four-part Career Development XSeries, designed to prepare you to succeed in the modern workplace.

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What's inside

Learning objectives

How to frame problems using a systematic, repeatable process
How to develop and test solutions using the 80/20 rule
How to identify user needs and develop solutions to meet them

How to use design thinking to generate ideas and discover creative solutions
How to plan and execute primary and secondary research
How to design and build effective surveys

How to frame problems using a systematic, repeatable process
How to develop and test solutions using the 80/20 rule
How to identify user needs and develop solutions to meet them
How to use design thinking to generate ideas and discover creative solutions
How to plan and execute primary and secondary research
How to design and build effective surveys

Syllabus

This is a self-paced course and can be completed according to your own schedule. Our recommendation is to complete the course over four weeks, with one to two hours of time spent working through the course per week. After the Course Introduction, each section should take approximately one to two hours to complete. Section 0: Course IntroductionReview course logistics, including the course overview, schedule, components, grading, and support.

Section 1: Problem SolvingLearn strategies and techniques that will enable you to effectively problem solve using a systematic, repeatable process.

Section 2: Design ThinkingFamiliarize yourself with the design thinking process and learn how to develop innovative, game-changing ideas.

Section 3: Research MethodsMaster how to plan and execute effective research, including how to design effective surveys and user tests.

Section 4: Final Assessment and Course RecapDemonstrate your mastery of the course content in the final assessment.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Develops problem-solving and critical thinking skills, core for most industries

Uses industry-standard design thinking processes

Provides a structured and phased approach to solving problems

Taught by instructors who are experienced in industry

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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 Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills with these activities:

Review materials from previous courses

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Familiarize yourself with key concepts from related courses to establish a strong foundation for this course.

Browse courses on Problem Solving

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Gather notes, assignments, and materials from previous courses in problem-solving, design thinking, and research methods.
Review key concepts such as problem definition, idea generation, user research, and data analysis.

Join a study group or collaborate with peers

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Engage with fellow students to discuss course concepts, share insights, and learn from diverse perspectives.

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Identify or create a study group with other students in the course.
Meet regularly to discuss course materials, practice problem-solving, and exchange ideas.

Practice problem-solving exercises

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Reinforce your problem-solving skills by working through a variety of exercises.

Browse courses on Problem Solving

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Find online resources or textbooks that provide problem-solving drills.
Dedicate regular time to practice solving problems, focusing on applying the systematic process taught in the course.

Four other activities

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Explore online tutorials on design thinking

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Enhance your understanding of design thinking principles and methodologies through interactive tutorials.

Browse courses on Design Thinking

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Identify reputable online platforms or courses that offer design thinking tutorials.
Select tutorials that cover topics such as user research, idea generation, and prototyping.
Follow the tutorials step-by-step, taking notes and practicing the techniques.

Write a blog post or article on a problem-solving method you learned

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Enhance your understanding by teaching others through writing, solidifying your knowledge and developing your communication skills.

Browse courses on Problem Solving

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Choose a specific problem-solving method covered in the course.
Write a blog post or article explaining the method, providing examples, and分享 your insights.

Develop a research plan for a problem you're passionate about

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Apply the research methods you're learning to a practical project, deepening your understanding and skill.

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Identify a real-world problem that you're interested in and that aligns with the course objectives.
Develop a research question and hypothesis.
Design a research plan outlining your data collection and analysis methods.

Participate in a problem-solving competition

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Put your skills to the test in a competitive environment, fostering innovation and pushing your limits.

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Identify a relevant problem-solving competition that aligns with the course topics.
Form a team or participate individually.
Prepare for the competition by practicing problem-solving techniques and developing innovative solutions.

Career center

Learners who complete Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Product Manager

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills is an excellent course for aspiring Product Managers. You will learn how to identify user needs, develop product solutions, and test and iterate on your products.

See salaries and explore the career path for Product Manager

Management Consultant

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you become a more effective Management Consultant. This course will teach you how to identify management problems, develop and implement solutions, and improve organizational performance.

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Marketing Manager

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you become a more effective Marketing Manager. This course will teach you how to identify marketing problems, develop creative solutions, and measure the results of your campaigns.

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Project Manager

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you become a successful Project Manager. This course will teach you how to frame problems, develop and test solutions, and manage projects effectively.

See salaries and explore the career path for Project Manager

Sales Manager

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you become a more effective Sales Manager. This course will teach you how to identify sales problems, develop creative solutions, and close deals.

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Business Analyst

Business Analysts can benefit from taking Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills. This course will teach you how to identify business problems, develop solutions, and communicate your findings to stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Business Analyst

Software Engineer

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you become a better Software Engineer. This course will teach you how to frame problems, develop and test solutions, and write effective code.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

Data Analyst

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you become a more effective Data Analyst. You will learn how to frame problems, develop and test solutions, and communicate your findings to stakeholders.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst

Financial Analyst

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you become a more effective Financial Analyst. This course will teach you how to identify financial problems, develop and test solutions, and make sound investment decisions.

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Operations Manager

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you become a more effective Operations Manager. This course will teach you how to identify operational problems, develop and implement solutions, and improve efficiency.

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Consultant

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you become a successful Consultant. This course will teach you how to frame problems, develop and test solutions, and communicate your findings to clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Consultant

Entrepreneurship

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you succeed as an Entrepreneur by teaching you how to identify problems, develop creative solutions, and test those solutions using the 80/20 rule. This course also covers design thinking, which is a process for generating innovative ideas and developing creative solutions.

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Human Resources Manager

Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills can help you become a more effective Human Resources Manager. This course will teach you how to identify HR problems, develop and implement solutions, and manage employee relations.

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User Experience (UX) Researcher

If you are interested in becoming a User Experience (UX) Researcher, taking Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills may be helpful. This course will teach you how to conduct user research, analyze data, and make recommendations for improving the user experience.

See salaries and explore the career path for User Experience (UX) Researcher

Design Researcher

If you are a Design Researcher, taking Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills may be useful. You will learn how to identify user needs, develop solutions to meet those needs, and conduct research to evaluate your solutions.

See salaries and explore the career path for Design Researcher

Reading list

We've selected 18 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 Problem Solving and Critical Thinking Skills.

The Development of University Teaching Over Time

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Provides a comprehensive overview of the design thinking process. It valuable resource for anyone who wants to learn how to develop innovative, game-changing ideas.

The Development of University Teaching Over Time...

Hardcover

$$$$

The Development of University Teaching Over Time:...

Kindle Edition

$$$