Frankly, there is no simple formula to a successful completion in this course. In fact, there is no simple account of what it means for this course's learning experience to be successful. "Success" can be measured by your course grade, by how well a student can think critically at the semester's completion, by how well a student still can think critically years after the semester's completion, by how much the student's ability to think critically has improved during the semester, and by other means.

What all of these reasonable measures have in common is the goal to think critically. When developing your study routine, remember you are pursuing this goal. The better you understand our course’s goal (i.e., Thinking critically) the better you will be able to develop study habits that are likely to be successful. Furthermore, since your understanding of our course’s goal (i.e., Thinking critically) is likely to mature as the semester unfolds, I recommend you review and modify your study habits throughout the semester, too.

How should you study?

Another reason there is no simple formula to this course's successful completion is that there are no easily identifiable “study rules” that will guarantee successful completion. However, here are some recommended study tips.

READING

How much time should you set aside to read the textbook and online readings? It is better to set aside too much time than not enough. To begin, I recommend you set aside at least 5 minutes for each page; and I recommend you read each section at least twice. As the semester proceeds, you will be able to decide for yourself if you need less or more time than this; but I recommend you always set aside more time than you expect to need and I recommend you read each required reading at least twice. Lastly, I recommend you take notes while reading.

PRACTICE

How much time should you set aside to practice? Again, it is better to set aside too much time than not enough. To begin, each time we learn new critical thinking skills, I recommend you set aside at least an hour a day until you can perform those skills excellently (i.e., Answer at least 90% of all examples correctly and understand why that is the answer). This often will take more than one day. Expect this to take more than one day. When practicing, do not merely answer each question and then stop studying. I recommend the following: 1) Identify which questions you answer correctly and understand that answer; 2) Identify which questions you answer correctly but do not understand that answer (i.e., you guessed or had a hunch but don’t understand the answer); 3) Identify which questions you answer incorrectly; and then 4) Once you identify the questions you do not understand, review the relevant readings and notes in an effort to understand that answer. If you still do not understand the answer, I recommend you document the example and bring it to an office visit. This is a vital process that many students neglect.

GRADED ASSIGNMENTS

How much time should you set aside to complete our graded assignments? Again, it is better to set aside too much time than not enough. To begin, I recommend you set aside at least one hour for each graded quiz. Furthermore, I recommend you do not begin any graded quiz until you have practiced successfully (See the above paragraph), and that you take a break between your practice sessions and the time you start any graded assignment (e.g., weekly online quiz or exam). Finally, do not merely answer each graded question and then stop studying. I recommend the following: 1) Identify which questions you answer correctly and understand that answer; 2) Identify which questions you answer correctly but do not understand that answer (i.e., you guessed or had a hunch but don’t understand the answer); 3) Identify which questions you answer incorrectly; and then 4) Once you identify the questions you do not understand, review the relevant readings and notes in an effort to understand that answer. If you still do not understand the answer, I recommend you document the example and ask about it. Again, reviewing your work is a vital process that many students neglect.

ONLINE COMMUNICATION

An important part of review will be asking questions. Unfortunately, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, we won't have class meetings this semester. But there are a number of opportunities for you to ask questions are your learn our skills. You can post a question on the current week's Online Office. This is a public forum that allows others to learn from our exchange. You also can send Canvas message or email. These are private media allowing you to have confidential conversations with me.

You also can have Zoom meetings. Each Monday through Thursday, I will have online office hours from 10am until 12noon. These sessions will be open to all of my students. This allows you to benefit from other student's questions. You also can schedule a private Zoom session at a time that is convenient for both of us.

Hopefully you can participate in some of our Online Office hours. But, when you try to contact me at another time, this is how I will approach it. When you contact me on a Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, or Thursday, I will respond within 24 hours. Usually much sooner. When you contact me on a Friday or Saturday, I will respond by Monday morning.

Online communication is likely to be an essential part of your learning process. I've been doing this for over 25 years, and I am dedicated to it. Take advantage!

SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETING OUR COURSE

Will you successfully complete this course?

The above recommendations help us understand why it’s important not to oversimplify what it means to complete our course successfully. I recommend you think of our course, in part, as an opportunity to fine-tune your study habits and classroom habits. You likely will succeed with some details to some degree, improve with some details to some degree, and discover ways you still need to improve even as the semester comes to an end.

While the above recommendations will not guarantee "success" – whether that’s measured by your course grade, how well you can think critically at the semester's completion, how well you can think critically years after the semester's completion, how much your ability to think critically has improved during the semester, or by any other means – they will improve your odds of successfully completing the course in each of these ways.