Critical and Creative Thinking
A future-oriented Erasmus+ course for teachers who want to foster inquiry, creativity, problem-solving, innovation and independent thinking in modern classrooms.
Course Description
Critical and creative thinking are among the most important competencies required in modern education and the rapidly changing world of the 21st century. Students are increasingly expected not only to acquire knowledge but also to analyse information, solve complex problems, evaluate evidence, generate innovative ideas, and make informed decisions. Developing these competencies requires teachers to adopt innovative teaching approaches that encourage curiosity, inquiry, creativity, and reflection.
This course is designed for teachers and educational professionals who wish to strengthen their understanding of critical and creative thinking and integrate these skills into everyday teaching and learning. Participants will explore practical methodologies that promote inquiry, problem-solving, creativity, collaboration, and innovation across different subjects and educational levels. Through interactive workshops, collaborative projects, and hands-on activities, participants will gain practical tools and strategies to foster critical and creative thinking in their classrooms and support students in becoming confident and independent thinkers.
Methodology
The course follows an active, inquiry-based, and experiential learning approach that combines theory with practical classroom application. Participants will engage in problem-solving activities, collaborative learning projects, design-thinking exercises, creative challenges, debates, reflective discussions, project-based learning activities, drama techniques, and ICT-supported learning experiences. The methodology promotes active participation, innovation, collaboration, and the exchange of good practices among participants from different educational contexts.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Understand the principles and characteristics of critical and creative thinking.
- Differentiate between critical, creative, analytical, and logical thinking processes.
- Apply inquiry-based and problem-based learning approaches.
- Develop strategies that encourage students to think independently and creatively.
- Use questioning techniques that promote higher-order thinking skills.
- Integrate creativity and innovation into everyday classroom practice.
- Apply project-based learning methodologies to develop critical thinking.
- Design activities that encourage collaboration, reflection, and problem solving.
- Utilize ICT tools to support creativity and innovation.
- Incorporate multiple intelligences and diverse learning styles into lesson planning.
- Assess students' development of critical and creative thinking skills.
- Create classroom environments that support curiosity, experimentation, and innovation.
Available Dates & Locations
6-Day Training Programme
Foundations of Critical and Creative Thinking
Topics
- Understanding critical, creative, analytical, and logical thinking.
- The role of thinking skills in 21st-century education.
- Characteristics of innovative learners.
- Developing a thinking culture in schools.
Tasks
- Ice-breaking and creativity challenges.
- Self-assessment of thinking and teaching styles.
- Group discussion on future-ready skills.
- Analysis of real classroom examples.
- Reflection activity: Personal thinking habits and teaching approaches.
Creativity, Curiosity and Innovation
Topics
- Understanding creativity in education.
- Lateral thinking and thinking outside the box.
- Multiple Intelligences Theory.
- Learning styles and student engagement.
Tasks
- Creative thinking workshops.
- Innovation challenges and brainstorming activities.
- Group exercises using lateral-thinking techniques.
- Designing creativity-focused classroom activities.
- Peer reflection and feedback.
Inquiry, Questioning and Project-Based Learning
Topics
- Inquiry-based learning methodologies.
- Effective questioning techniques.
- Problem-based and project-based learning.
- Developing student ownership of learning.
Tasks
- Designing inquiry-based learning scenarios.
- Collaborative project-development workshop.
- Questioning strategies practice.
- Problem-solving simulations.
- Creation of PBL activities linked to curriculum objectives.
Critical Thinking for Problem Solving and Decision Making
Topics
- Bloom's Taxonomy and higher-order thinking skills.
- Evaluating evidence and information.
- Decision-making and problem-solving frameworks.
- Critical thinking across the curriculum.
Tasks
- Critical thinking case studies.
- Debate and argumentation activities.
- Designing higher-order thinking tasks.
- Problem-solving workshops.
- Group analysis of authentic educational scenarios.
Creativity Through Arts, Drama and Collaboration
Topics
- Drama as a tool for creative thinking.
- Arts-based learning approaches.
- Collaboration and communication skills.
- Building innovative learning environments.
Tasks
- Creative drama workshops.
- Storytelling and role-playing activities.
- Collaborative creativity projects.
- Design of cross-curricular creative learning experiences.
- Reflection on innovative teaching practices.
ICT Tools and Future-Oriented Learning
Topics
- Digital tools that support creativity and innovation.
- Technology-enhanced problem solving.
- Assessing critical and creative thinking.
- Developing long-term implementation strategies.
Tasks
- Exploration of digital creativity tools.
- Creation of technology-supported learning activities.
- Development of a Critical and Creative Thinking Action Plan.
- Presentation and peer review of action plans.
- Course evaluation and certification ceremony.
Objectives of the Mobility Experience
- To strengthen teachers' ability to foster critical and creative thinking skills.
- To promote innovative and student-centred teaching methodologies.
- To develop practical strategies for problem solving and decision making.
- To enhance creativity, collaboration, and communication in learning environments.
- To improve teachers' ability to design inquiry-based and project-based learning experiences.
- To support the integration of ICT tools for creativity and innovation.
- To exchange European good practices related to future-oriented education.
- To strengthen international cooperation and professional networking.
- To prepare teachers to support students in becoming confident, independent, and innovative thinkers.
Type of Certification Awarded
Register for This Course
Please complete the form below to register or request more information.