Think Smarter: Logic & Critical Thinking for Curious Minds
This class teaches critical thinking, logic, and how to spot faulty arguments in real life. Students learn to reason clearly, evaluate evidence, and communicate with confidence and clarity.
Deeter
Average rating:
5.0
Number of reviews:(11)
What's included
6 pre-recorded lessons
average 23 mins per video6 weeks
of teacher support2 hrs 17 mins
total video learning hours1 year access
to the contentAssignments
1 hour per week. After each lesson I encourage the student to practice what is discussed in the real world.Assessment
includedClass Experience
In this self-paced course, learners will strengthen their ability to reason clearly, think independently, and evaluate ideas with confidence. Through real-world examples, age-appropriate discussion, and fun critical thinking activities, students will explore how logic works and why it's one of the most powerful tools we can develop. This class is designed for students who enjoy asking questions, want to avoid being misled, or simply want to sharpen their thinking. Learners will discover how to evaluate claims, recognize faulty reasoning, and become more thoughtful decision-makers. We’ll explore how language, emotions, and mental shortcuts influence what we believe. This class has an emphasis on guarding intellectual integrity and teaches how to stay grounded in truth and logic when things get confusing. Each class session includes: - Clear and relatable instruction using slides, illustrations, and visual metaphors - Hands-on activities to apply logical concepts in everyday situations - Thought-provoking discussions to challenge assumptions and build confidence - Real-world examples drawn from ads, social media, conversations, and headlines The tone of the course is encouraging, non-political, and focused on building skills students can use in academics, relationships, and daily decision-making. Learners will not be expected to agree on opinions, but they will be challenged to ask better questions, consider alternative views, and build strong arguments based on reason and evidence. By the end of the course, learners will walk away with a stronger sense of how to think, not just what to think.
Learning Goals
Explain what logic is and why it's important in everyday lifeIdentify common logical fallacies and explain why they are flawed
Syllabus
6 Lessons
over 6 WeeksLesson 1:
Lesson 1: What Is Logic, and Why It Matters
We’ll explore what logic really is—and why it’s more than just a school subject. Students learn to spot conclusions in everyday conversations and understand the basics of arguments through fun examples and visuals. 25 mins of video lessons
Lesson 2:
Lesson 2: The Building Blocks of Good Arguments
What makes a strong argument? Students learn about inductive vs. deductive reasoning, how to support claims with evidence, and how to avoid weak reasoning. They'll even build their own argument from simple facts. 23 mins of video lessons
Lesson 3:
Lesson 3: Spotting Logical Fallacies (Part 1)
In this session, we hunt for some of the most common fallacies in arguments—like ad hominem and slippery slope. Through ads, memes, and social posts, students learn how to recognize faulty reasoning in the real world. 21 mins of video lessons
Lesson 4:
Lesson 4: Spotting Logical Fallacies (Part 2)
The fallacy spotting continues! We’ll learn to identify more tricky traps like red herrings and circular reasoning, and practice rewriting flawed arguments into strong ones with clear logic and support. 23 mins of video lessons
Other Details
Parental Guidance
This class discusses real-world examples of flawed reasoning found in advertising, social media, and news headlines. All examples are age-appropriate and presented neutrally, without political or graphic content. No official media (TV, film, or video clips) with ratings will be used. All class materials are original or public domain.
We may use slides or images to show sample arguments or fallacies (e.g., edited social media posts or headlines), but nothing will include upsetting language or inappropriate topics.
No third-party tools or external accounts are required for this class.
Supply List
All that is needed is A curious mind and willingness to ask questions!
External Resources
Learners will not need to use any apps or websites beyond the standard Outschool tools.
Sources
No books or other materials are needed for this class.
Teacher expertise and credentials
Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from University Of Idaho
I first studied logic and critical thinking in college, where I earned top marks and developed a lasting appreciation for the subject. That class had a profound impact on how I approach ideas, conversations, and decisions, and I've spent the years since applying those skills in every area of life, from parenting to professional work.
As a former engineer, patent professional, game designer, and educator, I bring a unique blend of analytical thinking and creativity into the classroom. My goal is to make logic practical, accessible, and fun—helping students not just understand how to think clearly, but feel empowered to do so in a noisy and often confusing world.Reviews
Self-Paced Course
$15
weekly6 pre-recorded lessons
6 weeks of teacher support
Choose your start date
1 year of access to the content
Ages: 11-18
