Online Critical Thinking workshop offered in October

Registration is now open for an online professional development workshop, “Engaging Your Critical Thinking Skills,” offered through the University of Maine Hutchinson Center in Belfast. The Maine Business School is co-sponsoring the two-day program, which is scheduled for 4–6 p.m. Oct. 27 and 9 a.m.–2 p.m. Oct. 29. 

Critical thinking, which can be learned, teaches people to question assumptions, build constructive arguments, solve problems and negotiate positive personal and professional relationships. Employers note that critical thinking is a necessary skill for employees to successfully bridge the gap between technical information and customer needs in all sectors. 

The Hutchinson Center’s online critical thinking workshop, delivered via Zoom, will benefit those in social and human services, businesses and nonprofits, government employees, students and anyone with a desire to achieve greater effectiveness and satisfaction in their communications. 

Instructor Terry Porter, a UMaine associate professor emerita from the Maine Business School, is a certified mental health counselor and a 2014 Fulbright Scholar with more than 30 years experience as a teacher, counselor, coach and facilitator.         

A stable internet connection and the ability to participate in synchronous online sessions are required. The cost is $150 per person; a limited number of need-based scholarships are available for people who live or work in Knox or Waldo counties. Participants will receive a certificate of completion; 0.5 CEUs/5 contact hours are available. 

More information is available on the Hutchinson Center website. To request a reasonable accommodation or discuss scholarship details, contact Michelle Patten, 207.338.8002; umfhc.pd@maine.edu.