Critical thinking allows learners to derive meaning from information. It enables learners to critique the credibility and sources of knowledge, to recognise their own personal assumptions and values, and beyond this, what may have influenced them. It also develops the ability to analyse the thinking process itself, leading to critical reflection and a move beyond the description of an event or process, towards a deeper and more interpretative understanding. This incorporates information, media and data literacy.
Different Types of Assessments at University
Planning and Doing Your Search
Search Tools to Improve Your Search
Critical Reading at University - Reading Skills
Evaluating Sources of Information
Preparing for Academic Writing
Assignments - Structure and Flow
Essays, Literature Reviews and Reports
Students often struggle with referencing the resources they find and use in assignments, but if you are organised and use the tools available to help, you will soon get to grips with this necessary skill. These guides will provide advice, tips and links to key resources such as Cite Them Right and Endnote to help you navigate your way through citing and referencing.
LinkedIn Learning is an online skills development service which offers our students and staff an extensive library of high-quality video courses in business, creative and technical skills. You can use the platform to enhance your personal development with self-paced learning to complement other resources such as the Develop@Derby Hub, a wide programme of skills workshops and the Digital Capabilities Discovery Tool, to name a few.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
How to Foster Critical Thinking and Curiosity
This guide has been created for academic staff to serve as an introduction to our teaching offer and the support that is available for you and your students. The Academic Librarian team have an excellent in-curriculum offer, delivering teaching, training and specialist support to students, helping to develop students use of information and resources in their work and in using subject specialist search techniques and resources.
Information Literacy - A Guide for Academics: Welcome
Embedded Information Literacy Support - A Guide for Academics