CRITICAL THINKING INITIATIVES

Florida State University

QUALITY ENHANCEMENT PLAN 2014

• Think FSU: Improving Critical Thinking in the Disciplines

• Target Population: Juniors and Seniors within the disciplines

• Approved by SACS Commission on Colleges in December 2014

• Report due March 16, 2020

FSU COMPONENTS OF CRITICAL THINKING (AKA WHAT STUDENTS WILL BE ABLE TO DO)

Explain Issue/Problem

Select Evidence/Information

Analyze Context/Assumptions/Perspectives

Formulate Thesis/Hypothesis

Draw Logical Conclusions

WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SO FAR?

• Office of Critical Thinking Initiatives

• www.criticalthinking.fsu.edu

• Student Learning and Program Outcomes Approved and Entered into the IE Portal

• Research protocol established and approved through Human Subjects – including both quantitative and qualitative methodologies

• Presented the 2015 Critical Thinking Colloquium

• Trained 23 faculty and staff as CAT Graders

• Established partnerships with University Libraries and Student Affairs

• In Fall 2015, FSU has:– Two Faculty Fellows

• School of Teacher Education• Biology

– Four Discipline-Focused Projects• Biology• Communication Science and Disorders• Interior Design• Public Safety

• One confirmed Discipline-Focused Project for Fall 2016– Nursing

THE NUMBERS

• 1,400+ students

• 14 Majors

• 10 of 14 Colleges Offering Undergraduate Degrees– One Branch Campus

• Administered 1,200 CAT Tests

CTI GRANT PROGRAMS

• Faculty Fellows Program– $5,000 Individual Grant– One critical junior/senior course taught twice– Two or more FSU components– Assessment

• Discipline-Focused Projects– $10,000 Department Grant – Junior and Senior Curriculum– All 5 FSU Components– Assessment

WHO SHOULD PARTICIPATE–FACULTY TEACHING JUNIOR AND SENIOR

COURSES WHO

• Employ High-Impact Practices

• Are Innovative Teachers

• Are Interested in Making Curricular Changes to Increase Critical Thinking Skills

• Studied Critical Thinking in the Discipline

QUESTIONS

• Office of Critical Thinking Initiatives• 408G Westcott Building• 850.644.7235• lhogan@fsu.edu