Yes, we are in 2026. That means that sharpening your critical thinking skills is valuable (extremely). If you are looking for a critical thinking workshop, it most likely means that you understand that now, information is easy to get. How you think, build mental links and explain complexities within that information, that is the precious skill that all employers want.
Below are reputable online workshops and courses (live webinars and self-paced programs) that anyone can join. We hope you find this list useful and relevant to your critical thinking journey!
- Critical Thinking Bootcamp: The Future of Critical Thinking (Sage Publishing) – Format: Live webinar; Audience: Academic librarians, college/university faculty, and educators interested in critical thinking instruction; Cost: Free (registration required);
- How Social Media and Other Websites Can Destroy Your Life and How Critical Thinking Can Help (Foundation for Critical Thinking) – Format: Live interactive webinar (Feb 5, 2026, 60 min); Audience: General adult learners and educators (discussion-focused workshop); Cost: Free (registration via the Foundation’s site);
- Critical Thinking Q&A and Workshops (Foundation for Critical Thinking) – The Foundation’s experts (Dr. Linda Elder, Dr. Gerald Nosich, etc.) routinely offer live interactive workshops and Q&A sessions. Check their upcoming webinars page for dates and topics (many are free or included with a membership).
Self-Paced Critical Thinking Courses
- Critical Thinking Skills for the Professional (Coursera, University of California, Davis) – Format: Self-paced online course (beginner level, ~9 hours total); Audience: Working adults and professionals; Cost: Free to enroll (audit), certificate optional.
- Introduction to Logic and Critical Thinking Specialization (Duke University) – Format: Self-paced specialization (4-course series, ~5 months at 4 hrs/week); Audience: General learners (no prior experience needed); Cost: Free to enroll (audit).
- Teaching Critical Thinking through Art (edX/SmithsonianX & National Gallery of Art) – Format: Self-paced online course (5 weeks); Audience: K-12 educators and anyone interested in arts integration; Cost: Free (edX audit).
- Philosophy and Critical Thinking (edX, University of Queensland) – Format: Self-paced online course (6 weeks, 1–4 hrs/week); Audience: General learners interested in philosophical foundations of critical thinking; Cost: Free to audit.
- The Science of Everyday Thinking (edX, University of Queensland) – Format: Self-paced online course (12 weeks, 2–3 hrs/week); Audience: General audience (science-psychology approach to decision-making); Cost: Free to audit.
How to Find and Choose Quality Critical Thinking Workshops
When searching for a good online workshop or course, look for these signs of quality:
- Credible Provider/Instructor: Choose courses from reputable platforms or organizations (e.g. Coursera, edX, university continuing education, recognized non-profits like the Foundation for Critical Thinking or Smithsonian) and instructors with proven expertise. Established institutions typically vet course content.
- Interactive Content: Prefer workshops with live discussion or Q&A features. Interactive elements (breakout groups, discussion forums, quizzes or assignments) help deepen understanding. Expert educators note that effective online courses “involve practice” and student engagement.
- Engaged Instructors: A hallmark of a good course is visible, responsive teaching. Check if instructors participate in discussions or provide feedback. Research shows the best online courses have instructors who are “visible and active, … approachable and responsive”.
- Clear Learning Outcomes: Look for detailed syllabi or descriptions. A strong course will list specific skills and topics (e.g., analyzing arguments, detecting fallacies, problem-solving models) rather than vague claims. This helps you gauge relevance to your needs.
- Target Audience: Make sure the workshop is aimed at your group. Some are tailored for educators (e.g. teaching K-12 critical thinking) while others suit general learners or professionals. Check prerequisites and recommended background.
- Reviews and Ratings: Seek learner feedback. Platforms like Class Central, Coursera reviews, or education blogs can reveal user experiences. High ratings or positive testimonials (like Class Central’s 4+ star reviews for many MOOCs) indicate quality.
- Where to Search: Use major MOOC sites (Coursera, edX, FutureLearn), university extension catalogs, professional orgs (e.g. criticalthinking.org for workshops), and even Eventbrite or Meetup for webinars. LinkedIn Learning also has courses (though it requires a subscription).
- Avoid Low-Quality Offerings: Be wary of workshops with no clear credentials or overly salesy language. Avoid courses that promise “mind-blowing secrets” without syllabus, or those led by unknown “gurus”. If a course is very cheap or expensive, compare it to similar offerings. Legitimate courses clearly state what’s covered and who’s teaching.
- Cost Transparency: Many reputable courses are free to audit (you only pay for certificates). If a workshop charges a fee, ensure it’s justified (accreditation, extra coaching, etc.) and that refunds or previews are available.
