1.
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Drawing inferences
Offers numerous cartoons about teachers and students, most of which can provide the basis for drawing inferences.
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2.
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Drawing conclusions
Uses syllogisms to highlight the chain of reasoning involved in drawing conclusions.
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3.
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Avoiding plagiarism
Offers a point-by-point explanation of when attribution is absolutely necessary and when it isn't.
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4.
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Improving listening skills
This is an excellent link for learning how you can improve your listening skills.
Unlike many other links, which tell you to pay attention (duh), this one tells you how to improve listening skills by learning how to pay attention, even when the subject matter is not of automatic interest.
(The creators of this site would like users to be aware that all materials are copyrighted.)
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5.
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Understanding paradoxes
Paradoxes are statements that seem
to be contradictory, but in fact make sense once you think about them.
Interpreting them is a great critical reading exercise that will keep
your mind sharp. Try your hand at the quiz on this site.
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6.
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Learning responsible thinking
Suggests that critical thinking should be presented in the context of responsible thinking as a way of helping students more readily understand the practical relevance of thinking critically.
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Learning how to synthesize
I believe that knowing how to synthesize different sources into a meaningful unit or whole is one of the essentials skills of academic success.
In my opinion, in fact, it is the backbone of all thoughtful research.
If you are interested in understanding what it means to synthesize sources and in learning how to synthesize information for different purposes or assignments, please see this excellent website.
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8.
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Transitions
If you want to understand the function of transitions, this site is definitely worth checking out, because it covers so many different types of transitions.
The site also includes other useful links to web sites covering a variety of comprehension and critical thinking skills.
Very comprehensive!
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9.
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How to succeed in academia
This site has some good information about how to go about doing academic work.
It's quite comprehensive and addresses, for instance, listening along with reading.
It also describes the structure of academic writing within the context of journals, and that subject doesn't normally get nearly enough attention.
Don't be put off by the fact that it is listed as a web site for ESL students.
There is a lot here that could benefit native-speakers as well.
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10.
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Tips on note-taking
Cal Newport, the author of How to Be a High School Superstar, has some really smart things to say about how to be a high-achiever in school,
and he ought to know:
He graduated Phi Beta Kappa from Dartmouth.
Don't be fooled by the title of his book.
What he says on the web site applies to students of all ages.
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11.
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More tips on note-taking
This website offers solid advice on taking notes. The author is a geology professor who really knows how students can take notes that help them master new material, particularly material in the sciences.
But even if science courses are not in your future, take a look.
One of the best and clearest explanations of note-taking I found on the Web!
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12.
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Searching the Web
As a big study at the University of Illinois recently showed—and it's the most recent of many—students are stumped by even the most basic skills, like how to frame a search term or put a footnote into a page.
This web site offers some good sources that can help remedy this problem.
It's a Google site, and while I'm getting kind of anxious about how ubiquitous Google is in our lives, it's still a site worth looking into.
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