Critical Thinking Skills Instructional Materials
Empower Instructors with Practical, Flexible Tools That Bring Critical Thinking to Life
Critical thinking isn’t a separate subject, it’s how we engage with and make sense of all subjects. To help students think critically, instructors need tools that support the development of four essential skills:
CAE’s Critical Thinking Skills Program provides a full suite of instructional materials designed to help faculty integrate critical thinking into any course—without needing to start from scratch. These resources make critical thinking relevant and actionable for every student.
Whether it’s a first-year seminar or an advanced research course, our materials are designed to support organic, skill-rich instruction that fits seamlessly within any course content.
What’s Included: Tools That Foster Critical Thinking
CAE’s approach includes tools for teaching and practicing the steps of effective critical thinking and embedding them into classroom questioning, discussion, and problem solving. Program resources make it easy to embed these skills into everyday teaching—no matter the course or discipline and include:
Implementation Guide
Practical strategies, templates, and examples for integrating critical thinking into course content, including instructional strategies and CAE’s seven-step critical thinking framework, aligned to the four essential critical thinking skills.
Consultation Services
We provide consultation to help faculty integrate critical thinking into their existing course structures, making the skills relevant and applicable across disciplines.
Student Materials
Slide decks and guides introduce students to CAE’s Seven Steps for Effective Critical Thinking, providing a clear framework and shared language for applying these skills in real-world contexts.
Flexible, Course-Aligned, and Designed for Today’s Classroom
All instructional materials are designed to work across disciplines and fit within your existing course structure. Whether you’re teaching economics, history, STEM, or the arts, our tools help you build the skills that matter most for lifelong learning and workforce success.
Help Students Think Critically: Every Class, Every Day
When instructors have the right tools, students gain the skills to analyze, question, solve, and communicate, preparing them for whatever comes next.
“I have introduced the students to the steps of critical thinking. I mentioned how important it was to practice these steps. I was pleased to hear students that same class clearly using the steps when they described their discussion around a complex topic.”
~ Faculty Member