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The 41st Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking



The 41st Annual International Conference on Critical Thinking

 For Teachers, Faculty, Administrators, Individuals, College Students, Business, Government, and Military Leaders and Instructors 

 

Entirely Online 

   

Pre-Conference: July 25
Main Conference: July 26 - July 30, 2021  

 

Includes 10 weeks of free membership at the
Center for Critical Thinking Community Online!
(Access begins July 19, 2021.)

Conference Themes:

Critical Thinking as Vital to Thriving in a Complex World Where Fact is Routinely Confused with Fiction

Critical Thinking as the Foundation of Every Subject, Discipline and Profession


About the Conference

Introduction

Again this year, the world's longest-running critical thinking conference will take place online. While sessions will still be recorded for registrants whose schedules conflict, there will be an increased emphasis this year on live workshops with our Fellows and Scholars. These workshops will be interactive and engaging, and will enable you to immediately apply what you learn in the real world. Moreover, a number of the sessions will take place more than once to accommodate participants in different time zones around the world.

You will note that, unlike most conferences, the International Conference on Critical Thinking requires intellectual work of all participants in all sessions. You cannot learn critical thinking without practicing critical thinking, and you cannot practice critical thinking without doing intellectual work. Therefore, look forward to dynamic interactions with others at the conference as you read, write, and think the ideas of critical thinking into your reasoning framework. It is helpful, in this online platform, to have two computer screens to work with during the conference; this way, you can read material on a secondary screen while seeing the presenters and your fellow participants on your main screen.

To prepare for the conference, watch Dr. Elder’s introduction to critical thinking .

To learn how to navigate the Center for Critical Thinking Community Online, watch our tutorial video .

Types of Conference 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 very foundations, or the central ideas, in a rich conception of critical thinking. Each Focal Session targets one or more essential concepts or sets of principles in critical thinking, often in connection with essential applications of critical thinking. Most Focal Sessions are appropriate for both new and returning attendees, while a few are for those who have worked with us before; these will be plainly marked as 'Advanced Sessions'

Focal Sessions involve minimal lecture and a great deal of interactive group work.

Guest Presentations

Guest Presentations will be prerecorded by conference participants whose proposals have been approved by Fellows of the Foundation for Critical Thinking. These are presentations in which presenters share their experiences in bringing critical thinking into the teaching and learning process, into daily decision-making, throughout organizations or departments, or into any other aspect of work or life. Guest Presenters may share their research in critical thinking, or their developed theory and application of critical thinking. 

Conference Rates

Registration Options
Cost Per Person
Early-Bird Rates - If Paid by June 15, 2021 1 Person 2-3 people 4-6 People 7 or More
Main Conference Only
$495.00 $480.00 $455.00 $430.00
Main Conference & Pre-Conference $595.00 $575.00 $545.00 $515.00
Standard Rates - If Paid AFTER June 15, 2021 1 Person 2-3 people 4-6 People 7 or More
Main Conference Only $585.00 $565.00 $530.00 $495.00
Main Conference & Pre-Conference $695.00 $670.00 $630.00 $590.00
Intensive Workshops Only - Pay Any Time Before January 25, 2021 1 Person 2-3 people 4-6 People 7 or More
Pre-Conference  Only $195.00 $185.00 $165.00 $145.00

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 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 has given more than 250 workshops on all aspects of teaching critical thinking, including in the U.S., Canada, Thailand, Lithuania, Austria, and Germany. He has worked with the U.S. Department of Education on a project for National Assessment of Higher Order Thinking Skills; given teleconferences sponsored by PBS and Starlink on teaching critical thinking within subject-matter courses; served as a consultant/evaluator for SACS Accreditation of programs at various colleges and universities; and has been featured as a Noted Scholar at the University of British Columbia.

Dr. Nosich is Professor Emeritus at Buffalo State College in NY, and is also Professor Emeritus at the University of New Orleans. He is the author of three books including 2021's Critical Writing: Using the Concepts and Processes of Critical Thinking to Write a Paper.

Ms. Carmen Polka

Ms. Carmen Polka has worked diligently to infuse critical thinking into her classroom instruction, curriculum, and assessment for more than eighteen years. Focused on transforming education through the implementation of quality instructional practices, Ms. 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.

Ms. Polka is currently a principal at an elementary school, as well as a Doctoral candidate 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 more than seventeen 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 is currently serving 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. Patty Payette

Dr. Patty Payette is executive director of the Quality Enhancement Plan (QEP) at the University of Louisville and senior associate director of UofL’s Delphi Center for Teaching and Learning. In these positions, Patty leverages her expertise in faculty development, curriculum design, critical thinking, and higher education training and development. Over the last 20 years, Dr. Payette has designed and delivered hundreds of workshops on teaching and learning topics, including dozens of sessions on critical thinking across the curriculum. She consults with schools and colleges nationally on the design and implementation of critical thinking initiatives and QEP programs. She co-authored with Dr. Brian Barnes a series of six articles for The National Teaching and Learning Forum on teaching for critical thinking and serves as a consulting editor for the journal College Teaching .  She earned her doctorate from the Department of English at Michigan State University in 2001.

What People Say About Our Conferences


"The level of expertise and knowledge of the presenters are excellent. In addition, I appreciate their positive attitudes, willingness to explain concepts, clarity of visual aids and handouts, and opportunities to ask questions."

"Excellent sessions, challenging and thought provoking."

"It doesn’t matter how many times I attend, I always learn something new!"

"The insights I have gained from this one conference far exceed any other conference I have attended to date. Wonderful, insightful, well presented!"

"I loved the practical ideas and activities we got to engage in."

"Exceptional! Terrific! Stimulating!"

"I wish people in all walks of life would engage their minds and hearts in this way."
"It provides a depth of understanding that isn't possible from reading."

"Your "stepping-out" on the proverbial "limb" in designing this conference was worthwhile. The info was clearly presented, usable, concrete and even FUN!"

"Exceeded my expectations. A very worthwhile experience."

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

"It was life changing!"



Overview of Sessions

Sessions appearing in green are repeated for participants in different time zones.

July 25:

1:00 p.m. EDT

Pre-Conference

  • Taking Initial Ownership of the Foundations of Critical Thinking … Dr. Brian Barnes
  • Socratic Questioning as a Primary Conceptual Toolbox for Teaching, Learning and Understanding... Dr. Gerald Nosich

July 26:

11:30 a.m. EDT

  • Introduction to the Conference … Dr. Linda Elder


12:00 p.m. EDT

Focal Sessions I

Choose from the following…

  • Foundational for New Participants:
    Placing Critical Thinking at the Core of the Curriculum… Dr. Linda Elder
  • Using the Tools of Critical Thinking in Business and Government for More Effective Results
    … Dr. Brian Barnes
  • Advanced Session:
    Powerful Ideas You Are Using to Foster Critical Thinking… Dr. Paul Bankes


3:00 p.m. EDT

  • Introduction to the Conference  … Dr. Linda Elder

3:30 p.m. EDT

Focal Sessions II

Choose from the following …

  • Foundational for New Participants:
    Placing Critical Thinking at the Core of the Curriculum…     Dr. Gerald Nosich 
  • The Art of Asking Essential Questions... Dr. Brian Barnes
  • Fact Over Fake: How the Tools of Critical Thinking are Essential for Distinguishing Fact from Falsehood, Truth from Lies, Evidence from Disinformation… Ms. Carmen Polka
  • Practical Strategies for Improving Student Learning K-12… Dr. Paul Bankes 

7:30 p.m. EDT

  • Introduction to the Conference  … Dr. Linda Elder

8:00 p.m. EDT

Focal Sessions III

Choose from the following…

  • Foundational for New Participants:
    Placing Critical Thinking at the Core of the Curriculum…     Dr. Gerald Nosich 
  • How Socrates, Seneca and Other Classic Thinkers Contribute to Critical Thinking … Dr. Linda Elder
  • Fact Over Fake: How the Tools of Critical Thinking are Essential for Distinguishing Fact from Falsehood, Truth from Lies, Evidence from Disinformation… Ms. Carmen Polka

July 27:

12:00 p.m. EDT

Focal Sessions IV

Choose from the following…  

  • Reasoning Critically within the Logic of Any Subject, Profession or Domain of Thought ... Dr. Paul Bankes
  • Intellectual Virtues as Fundamental to the Cultivated Person, the Educated Mind and to Democratic Societies... Dr. Linda Elder
  • Why Strong-Sense Critical Thinking is Essential to the Future of Business and Government... Dr. Brian Barnes

3:30 p.m. EDT

Focal Sessions V

Choose from the Following Focal Sessions...

  • Strategies for Improving Student Learning on a Typical Day... Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • The Art of Close Reading and Why Everyone Needs It... Dr. Brian Barnes
  • How the Language of Critical Thinking is Essential to Cultivating Fairminded Critical Societies... Dr. Linda Elder


8:00 p.m. EDT

Focal Sessions VI

Choose one of the following sessions to attend…

  • Reasoning Critically within the Logic of Any Subject, Profession or Domain of Thought ... Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • Intellectual Virtues as Fundamental to the Cultivated Person, the Educated Mind, and to Democratic Societies … Ms. Carmen Polka
  • Strategies for Improving Student Learning on a Typical Day ... Dr. Paul Bankes 

July 28:

All Day

Guest Presentations Posted


Special Meetings for Professional Development (Times TBA)...

  • K-12
  • Higher Education
  • Business & Government

July 29:

12:00 p.m. EDT

Focal Sessions VI

Choose from the following…  

  • How Everyone is Egocentric and Sociocentric and Why This Impedes Critical Thinking ... Ms. Carmen Polka
  • For Administrators:
    Promoting and Cultivating Critical Thinking Across the Organization... Dr. Patty Payette
  • Assessing Critical Thinking in Teaching and Learning... Dr. Brian Barnes


3:30 p.m. EDT

Focal Sessions VII

Choose from the following…  

  • Teaching Students the Role of Powerful Concepts in Learning Any Subject or Discipline ... Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • Critical Thinking Therapy for Mental Health and Self-Actualization ... Dr. Linda Elder
  • How to Embrace Intellectual Empathy as a Way of Life and Matter of Principle ... Dr. Paul Bankes
  • Advanced Session:
    The Theory and History of Critical Thinking, Going Deeper     ... Dr. Brian Barnes


8:00 p.m. EDT

Focal Sessions VII

Choose from the following…  

  • How Everyone is Egocentric and Sociocentric and Why This Impedes Critical Thinking ... Ms. Carmen Polka
  • Assessing Critical Thinking in Teaching and Learning ... Dr. Gerald Nosich
  • Critical Thinking Therapy for Mental Health and Self-Actualization ... Dr. Linda Elder
  • For Administrators:
    Promoting and Cultivating Critical Thinking Across the Organization... Dr. Paul Bankes

July 30:

Choose from the following closing sessions...

12:00 p.m. EDT

  • Early Closing Session ... Dr. Linda Elder

3:30 p.m. EDT

  • Midday Closing Session... Dr. Gerald Nosich

8:00 p.m. EDT

  • Evening Closing Session... Dr. Gerald Nosich & Dr. Linda Elder