You are introduced to the thinking tools and techniques which have proven to increase abilities in areas such as creativity, problem solving and critical thinking. As you move through the course you will encounter material and assessments that are designed to cement these concepts into your mind. This first module consists of the following 8 lessons.

• 1: Are you a thinker? Looks at the students self-image as a thinker and at thinking skills in General. Setting the stage for your journey towards Effective Thinking.
• 2: PMI – Plus, Minus and Interesting Analysis of Plus, Minus and Interesting points. This is a powerful tool for considering new ideas.
• 3: AGO – Aims, Goals and Objectives The examination of Aims, Goals and Objectives. An AGO is used to clarify thinking.

• 4: Consider all Factors This involves a structured process to the Consideration of All Factors. It is often used when considering situations prior to developing ideas.
• 5: OPV – Other People’s Views Almost any thinking activity involves other people, the OPV tries to get the thinker inside the heads of those involved.
• 6: FIP – First Important Priorities The FIP provides a deliberate instruction to you (or to others) to focus directly on priorities (in general or at a particular moment).
• 7: APC – Alternatives. Possibilities and Choices The APC lesson involves looking for the Alternatives, Possibilities or Choices (whichever is appropriate) in that situation.
• 8: C&S – Consequence and Sequel This is a scan of time for your brain. Helping you focus upon the consequences that might arise from a decision, course of action or change of any sort over time periods.

Building on the tools learned in the previous module the participant explores the different types of thinking situations that exist and how you should proactively react to them. By understanding the type of problems you face you can learn the thinking skills to develop better solutions.

• 1: Plan and action Thinking is involved not only in arriving at a decision but also in carrying it out. Planning is usually an essential part of getting something done.
• 2: Decision and evaluation Judging the value of an option. Is this worth doing? Making decisions and making choices.
• 3: Problem-solving and design Finding solutions to problems, and designing solutions to problems. In a sense any design task is also a problem-solving task.
• 4: Coping and organising: Coping with confusion and mess. Creating order out of chaos. Organising different elements so that the whole works – a common enough real life situation.

• 5: Negotiation and conflict Two party situations often have each side trying to get what they want. This lesson will help you turn arguments and conflict into win-win outcomes.
• 6: Communication and persuasion The transfer of information. The transfer of perceptions. Clarity of communication. Opening up perceptions in persuasion.
• 7: Exploration and discussion Making a map of the situation. Getting as much information as possible. Discussion with the purpose of exploring a situation.
• 8: Opportunity and initiative Much of our thinking is reactive: we are forced to think about something. In this Section we look at initiatives: we set out to think about something because we want to.