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The 44th Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking

   

Join Us for
The 44th Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking

Entirely Online



Pre-Conference: July 21
Main Conference: July 22 - 26, 2024

 

Includes 10 Weeks of Free Membership at Our Subscription Website:
The Center for Critical Thinking Community Online!
Access Begins July 11th!

Please note that the video and audio feeds in all sessions are recorded. The Foundation for Critical Thinking reserves the right to publish the resulting footage in whole or in part for any purpose. By attending the event, you agree to said recording and publication.




About the Conference

Critical Thinking:
The Best Approach to All Challenges 

The world is swiftly changing, and with each day the pace quickens. The pressure to respond intensifies. The problems we now face, and will increasingly face, require a radically different form of thinking that is more complex, more adaptable, and more sensitive to divergent points of view than traditional thought outfitted for routine and automation. The world now requires that we continually relearn, rethink our decisions, and reevaluate how we work and live. In short, the power of the mind to command itself – to regularly engage in self-analysis and self-evaluation – will increasingly determine the quality of our work, learning, and lives.

Join us for the world's longest-running critical thinking conference, now online and led by world-renowned experts on the Paul-Elder Approach to Critical Thinking – to date the most comprehensive, robust framework for the analysis, assessment, and improvement of human reasoning ever created.

A Highly Interactive Conference

We learn critical thinking by practicing it. Therefore, look forward to dynamic interactions at the conference as you work the ideas of critical thinking into your reasoning framework through discussion and activities.

Expect:
  • Highly interactive sessions filled with stimulating dialogue and exercises.
  • Concepts and tools you can immediately apply to your work, life, learning, and teaching. Nothing here is "purely academic," despite the powerful theory underlying our critical-thinking framework.
  • Sessions occurring multiple times to accommodate different time zones.
  • Ten weeks of free access to  The Center for Critical Thinking Community Online - the world's largest repository of critical thinking publications, videos, activities, and interaction among fellow critical thinking scholars.

Conference Rates

Registration Options
Fees
Early-Bird Rates - If Paid by May 31, 2024   Rate per Person
Main Conference Only
$199
Main Conference & Pre-Conference $299
Standard Rates - If Paid AFTER May 31, 2024    Rate per Person
Main Conference Only $275
Main Conference & Pre-Conference $400
Pre-Conference Only - Pay by July 14, 2024 Rate per Person
Pre-Conference  Only $149

For groups of 3 or more,  email us for special rates or call +1 800-833-3645.

Types of Sessions

Focal Sessions

This year's Focal Sessions are live online workshops led by Fellows and Scholars of the Foundation for Critical Thinking. These sessions are 'Focal' because they focus on the foundations, or the central ideas, in a rich conception of critical thinking. Each Focal Session targets one or more vital concepts or sets of principles in critical thinking, often in connection with essential applications of critical thinking.

Focal Sessions involve minimal lecture and a great deal of interactive group work. Most are appropriate for both new and returning attendees, while a few are designed mainly for new participants or those who have worked with us before. These targeted sessions are designated "For New Attendees" or "For Returning Attendees."

Guest Presentations

( If you are interested in presenting , please see our  Call for Proposals , open until May 19th.)

Guest sessions will be hosted by panels of conference participants whose proposals have been approved by Fellows of the Foundation for Critical Thinking. Guest Presenters will take turns presenting their respective topics in pairs or triads formed based on overlapping subject matter. After everyone has presented, the remaining time will be used for Q&A with participants.

Guest Presenters may share their critical thinking research, their development of critical thinking understandings, and their experiences and ideas in bringing critical thinking into teaching, learning, or other aspects of work and life.

Should You Prepare for This Conference?

The conference is designed to be accessible and beneficial to everyone, including those attending with no prior experience or knowledge in critical thinking theory or practice. However, we strongly recommend watching our tutorial video on how to navigate The Center for Critical Thinking Community Online , which will be used frequently during sessions.

For those wishing to prepare themselves intellectually for the conference, the following activities can be helpful.

Focal Session Presenters

Dr. Linda Elder

Dr. Linda Elder is an educational psychologist and international authority on critical thinking. President and Senior Fellow at the Foundation for Critical Thinking, she has taught psychology and critical thinking at the college level, and has given presentations to more than 50,000 educators and leaders. She has coauthored four books, including 30 Days to Better Thinking and Better Living through Critical Thinking and Critical Thinking: Tools for Taking Charge of Your Professional and Personal Life, as well as 24 Thinker's Guides on critical thinking. Concerned with understanding and illuminating the relationship between thinking and affect, and with the barriers to critical thinking, Dr. Elder has placed these issues at the center of her thinking and work.

Dr. Gerald Nosich

Dr. Gerald Nosich is a noted authority on critical thinking and has given more than 250 workshops to instructors and governmental agencies on all aspects of teaching it. He is the author of Reasons and Arguments, Learning to Think Things Through: A Guide to Critical Thinking Across the Curriculum , and Critical Writing: Using the Concepts and Processes of Critical Thinking to Write a Paper .

Dr. Nosich has given workshops for instructors at all levels of education  in the United States, Canada, Thailand, Lithuania, Austria, Germany, Singapore and England. He has worked with the U.S. Department of Education on a project for a National Assessment of Higher Order Thinking Skills; given teleconferences sponsored by PBS and Starlink on teaching for critical thinking; served as a consultant for ACT in Critical Thinking and Language Arts assessment; and been featured as a Noted Scholar at the University of British Columbia. Dr. Nosich is author of numerous articles, audio- and videotapes on critical thinking. He has been Assistant Director at the Center for Critical Thinking at Sonoma State University, and is Professor Emeritus at the State University of New York Buffalo State and at the University of New Orleans.

Dr. Carmen Polka

Dr. Carmen Polka has worked diligently to infuse critical thinking into her classroom instruction, curriculum, and assessment for nearly twenty years. Focused on transforming education through the implementation of quality instructional practices, Dr. Polka instigated and co-authored the Colorado Academic State Standards targeting research and reasoning based on the Paul-Elder framework. As a leader and critical thinking expert in her district, she led professional development and coached K-12 teachers to effectively utilize Paulian theory.

Dr. Polka is currently a principal at an elementary school, and she recently earned her doctorate in the Educational Leadership and Policy Studies program at the University of Northern Colorado. She is also a licensed K-12 Special Education teacher.

Dr. Paul Bankes

For nearly twenty years, Dr. Bankes has played an important leadership role in fostering the Paulian conception of critical thinking in multiple school districts. As a principal, he led the implementation of this critical thinking approach to bring about state-recognized levels of achievement in three different Title I schools – a high school, a middle school, and an elementary school. He helped author the reasoning portion of the Colorado Academic Standards that are based on the Paul-Elder framework. In addition to his administrative experience, Dr. Bankes was an elementary school teacher, continues teaching critical thinking courses at the college level, and served as a Director on his School Board of Education.

Dr. Brian Barnes

Dr. Brian Barnes holds a Ph.D. in Interdisciplinary Humanities and an MA in Philosophy from the University of Louisville. Barnes is a veteran of the US Army, along with other non-academic careers, and currently teaches face-to-face and online classes at several universities in traditional philosophy topics, sustainability, and critical thinking. He has co-authored articles examining critical thinking strategies and tactics for the National Teaching and Learning Forum and is author of the textbook, The Central Question: Critical Engagement with Business Ethics . Barnes co-hosts the weekly radio show, Critical Thinking for Everyone!, on 106.5 Forward Radio in Louisville; he also created Adventures in Critical Thinking , a critical thinking comic book series.

Dr. Linda Tym

Dr. Linda Tym is an Associate Professor of English in Alabama. Originally from Canada, she completed her PhD studies at the University of Edinburgh and was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at The Institute for Advanced Studies in the Humanities. She is currently pursuing her Certification in the Paul-Elder Approach to Critical Thinking under the mentorship of Dr. Elder.

In addition to Dr. Tym's focus on critical thinking, her research focuses on memory studies, Scottish literature, and Scottish-Canadian diasporic literature. Her work has been published in the Scottish Literary Review, Journal of the Short Story in English, Macmillan Interdisciplinary Handbooks: Gender series, and Gale Cengage’s Contemporary Literary Criticism series. 

What People Say About Our Conferences

"I restructured my whole first day of class based on your keynote address. I can't believe no one ever introduced this to me before."

"No one can possibly participate without changing (or learning) some aspect of how to improve their own thinking."

"I truly believe in the FCT's work and see them as the outstanding leaders in this field."

"[The conference] gave me a thorough comprehension of the underlying ideas behind critical thinking and stoked my desire to incorporate these ideas into my everyday life. The conference also provided me with access to priceless learning tools and enabled fruitful networking interactions with other worldwide attendees who are passionate about developing their critical thinking abilities."

"Stimulating, engaging . . . thank you to the presenters for a very robust week of thinking together and to the administrators for your smooth organization of this event."

"Congratulations to your Foundation for putting together this year's Conference Program with very relevant and significant session topics! Thank you for this great opportunity to expanding my mind, that I hope will lead me toward finding freedom and truth."

" . . . the interchange among the participants was excellent."



Please note that the video and audio feeds in all sessions are recorded. The Foundation for Critical Thinking reserves the right to publish the resulting footage in whole or in part for any purpose. By attending the event, you agree to said recording and publication.


Overview of Sessions

  • A detailed daily schedule can be seen here

Sunday, July 21:

1:00 p.m. - 7:00p.m. EDT

Pre-Conference Session

  • The Foundations of Critical Thinking... Dr. Gerald Nosich

MONDAY, July 22:

Pre-Recorded

  • *Introduction to the Conference … Dr. Linda Elder

    *Please view before attending sessions.


12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EDT

Focal Session I

Choose from the following…

  • For New Attendees: The Standards Critical Thinkers Routinely Employ in All Reasoning… Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • For Returning Attendees: Articulating the Specific Standards Essential to Skilled Reasoning Within Your Field or Profession… Dr. Linda Elder


1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. EDT

Focal Session II

Choose from the following…

  • For New Attendees: How to Analyze Reasoning in All Parts of Human Life… Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • For Returning Attendees: Exploring Accomplished and Expert Thinking… Dr. Linda Elder


3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT

View the following videos in preparation for the 5:15 discussion:


5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EDT

  • Discussion on the Socratic Questioning Videos… Dr. Paul Bankes


7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. EDT

Focal Session III

Choose from the following…

  • How Critical Thinking Is Essential to Combating Confirmation Bias... Dr. Linda Elder
  • Critical Thinking in Daily Decision-Making... Dr. Linda Tym
  • Repeat Session for New Attendees:
    The Standards Critical Thinkers Routinely Employ in All Reasoning... Dr. Gerald Nosich


8:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. EDT

Focal Session IV

Choose from the following…

  • Thinking, Feeling, and Motivation as Interrelated Processes that Guide How You Live... Dr. Linda Elder
  • Critical Thinking Competency Standards and How to Bring Them Into Your K-12 Classroom... Dr. Carmen Polka
  • Repeat Session for New Attendees:
    How to Analyze Reasoning in All Parts of Human Life... Dr. Gerald Nosich

TUESDAY, July 23:

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EDT

Focal Session V

Choose from the following…  

  • For New Attendees:
    The Virtues Inherent in Robust Critical Thinking... Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • For Business, Government, and Administrators:
    Bringing Critical Thinking Into Daily Decision-Making... Dr. Brian Barnes
  • Ethical Reasoning: What It Entails and Why It Is Difficult to Foster in Human Societies... Dr. Linda Elder

1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. EDT

Focal Session VI

Choose from the Following...

  • Practical Strategies for Improving Student Learning... Dr. Carmen Polka
  • Why the Climate Crisis Can Only Be Solved Through Critical Thinking... Dr. Brian Barnes
  • Teaching Students to Ask and Pursue Essential Questions... Dr. Gerald Nosich


3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. EDT

View the first 1.5 hours of the following video in preparation for the 5:15 discussion:


5:15 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. EDT

  • Discussion on the Intellectual Virtues Video… Dr. Paul Bankes



7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. EDT

Focal Session VII

Choose one of the following sessions to attend…

  • Can the Mental Health Crisis Be Solved? How Critical Thinking Therapy Can Help ... Dr. Linda Elder
  • Egocentricity as a Primary Barrier to Criticality Throughout Human Societies … Dr. Carmen Polka
  • Repeat Session for New Attendees:
    The Virtues Inherent in Robust Critical Thinking     ... Dr. Gerald Nosich


8:30 p.m. - 9:45 p.m. EDT

Focal Session VIII

Choose one of the following sessions to attend…

  • Teaching Students to Use Critical Thinking Standards Through Peer Assessment of Their Written Work ... Dr. Linda Elder
  • Substantive Writing as Essential to the Educated Mind … Dr. Brian Barnes
  • Repeat Session:
    Practical Strategies for Improving Student Learning     ... Dr. Carmen Polka

WEDNESDAY, July 24:

Guest Presentation Schedule TBA

Guest Presentation Program

  • Descriptions Forthcoming


See our Call for Proposals Here


3:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. EDT

Professional Development Discussion and Q&A (for those interested)

  • Professional Development in Critical Thinking... Dr. Linda Elder

THURSDAY, July 25:

12:00 p.m. - 1:15 p.m. EDT

Focal Session IX

Choose from the following…  

  • Combating Disinformation and False Narratives Through Critical Thinking ... Dr. Linda Elder
  • Teaching Students to Reason Through the Logic of Articles, Chapters, and Books... Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • How to Develop Effective Online Learning Programs... Dr. Paul Bankes


1:30 p.m. - 2:45 p.m. EDT

Focal Session X

Choose from the following…  

  • How Close Reading Requires Critical Thinking... Dr. Paul Bankes
  • Distinguishing Among Questions of Fact, Preference, and Judgment ... Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • The Importance of Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Thought to Free Societies ... Dr. Linda Elder


4:15 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. EDT

Connecting with Others for Long-Term Growth in Critical Thinking

  • Networking Meeting.... Dr. Paul Bankes

Come together to forge connections that will help you continue your critical thinking journey.

7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. EDT

Focal Session XI

Choose from the following…  

  • How Sociocentricity Pervades Human Life and How to Avoid It  ... Dr. Linda Elder
  • Understanding the Fundamental Logic Underlying Your Subject, Discipline, or Profession ... Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • Using the International Critical Thinking Essay Test in Your Classes ... Dr. Brian Barnes

8:30 - 9:45 p.m. EDT

Focal Session XII

Choose from the following…  

  • For Administrators: Bringing Critical Thinking Across the Organization... Dr. Paul Bankes
  • How to Redesign an Entire Course with Critical Thinking at the Foundations... Dr. Linda Elder
  • How Self-Handicapping Limits Criticality in Schooling and in Professional Life... Dr. Gerald Nosich

FRIDAY, July 26:

12:00 - 1:15 p.m. EDT

Focal Session XIII

Choose from the following…  

  • Exploring Interrelationships Between and Among Intellectual Virtues, the Elements of Reasoning, and Intellectual Standards... Dr. Paul Bankes
  • How to Assess for Critical Thinking Throughout Your Instruction... Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • Developing Study Groups for Long-Term Learning of Critical Thinking... Dr. Linda Elder


1:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. EDT

View the following video in preparation for the 3:45 discussion:


3:45 p.m. - 4:45 p.m. EDT

  • Discussion on the Intellectual Standards Video and Closing Session…  All Focal Presenters

Final session will be recorded for those in distant time zones.