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25 Critical Thinking Apps For Extended Student Learning

Critical thinking is widely misunderstood. Apps that promote it can be hard to find. Here are 25 critical thinking apps to get you started.

25 Critical Thinking Apps For Extended Student Learning

What Are The Best Critical Thinking Apps For Extended Student Learning?

by TeachThought Staff

This post may contain affiliate links. You can read more about affiliate policy here.

Critical thinking apps aren’t the sweet spot of mobile app design.

Most of the more popular apps are focused on social media, productivity, or what always seem to be mindless games. The fact that most apps  don’t  force users to think critically doesn’t mean that it isn’t possible, however. The lack of cognitively demanding apps is more of an indictment of the users than the technology itself.

There are many apps that do promote critical thinking–and often extended critical thinking and learning at that. These aren’t clinical ‘critical thinking building’ programs either, but rather often enjoyable exercises in strategy, tactics, and problem-solving thought. So below, we’ve collected 25 of these critical thinking apps. Most are for grades 8-12, but several are for students as young as kindergarten.

See also What Is Critical Thinking?

Helping students think critically is less a matter of direct instruction, and more a matter of providing them with access to dynamic tools with unique and playful barriers or goals that require the best strategy they can muster, while providing instant feedback to the player as they go. Though they’re not learning specific academic content in most of these apps, they are practicing extended thinking over a period of time that encourages them to look at digital circumstances with a critical eye.

1. Google Earth

What is Google Earth?

Google Earth is a virtual globe and mapping software that allows users to explore the Earth’s surface and navigate through detailed satellite imagery, aerial photographs, and 3D models of various locations. It provides a comprehensive view of our planet, enabling users to zoom in on specific areas, search for specific addresses or landmarks, and obtain information about different geographical features.

Google Earth also offers features such as Street View, which provides immersive 360-degree street-level imagery, and Voyager, which offers curated interactive guided tours of fascinating places around the world. Whether used for educational purposes, travel planning, or simple curiosity, Google Earth serves as a powerful tool that brings the world to users’ fingertips, promoting exploration and a deeper understanding of our planet.

2. Blinkist

Blinkist is a digital platform that provides concise summaries of non-fiction books in the form of bite-sized content, allowing users to quickly grasp the key insights and main ideas of a wide range of books. With a vast library covering various genres such as self-help, business, science, and more, Blinkist seeks aims to make learning more accessible and time-efficient for people who want to stay informed and expand their knowledge but may not have the time to read entire books.

By condensing the main concepts, Blinkist allows users to get the essence of a book in just a few minutes, making it a popular choice for busy individuals seeking personal and professional growth.

3.  Elevate

Grade Levels:  8-12+

Developer Description

Elevate is another app that focuses on improving cognitive skills, including critical thinking. It offers a variety of games and challenges that target different areas, such as memory, comprehension, processing speed, and analytical thinking. Elevate also provides personalized training programs based on your goals and tracks your performance.

4.  Minecraft

Grade Levels:  K-12+

“Explore randomly generated worlds and build amazing things from the simplest of homes to the grandest of castles. Play in creative mode with unlimited resources or mine deep into the world in survival mode, crafting weapons and armor to fend off the dangerous mobs.”

5. Critical Thinking

6.  Civilization VI  (Note: For Mac, not iPad) (Note: Editor’s Choice award from TeachThought)

Grade Levels:  6-12+

“Originally created by legendary game designer Sid Meier, Civilization is a turn-based strategy game in which you attempt to build an empire to stand the test of time. Become Ruler of the World by establishing and leading a civilization from the Stone Age to the Information Age. Wage war, conduct diplomacy, advance your culture, and go head-to-head with history’s greatest leaders as you attempt to build the greatest civilization the world has ever known.”

7.  Brilliant

Developer Description8. Principles In Action

9.  Shakespeare In Bits: Romeo & Juliet

Grade Levels:  7-12+

“Understand and appreciate the linguistic richness of Shakespeare’s plays with the original play text, broken into easily digested ‘bits’. In-line translation helps you to understand difficult words and phrases within the context of the original play text.

Each title includes hours of high-resolution animation with a professional audio soundtrack, helping you to decode and comprehend Shakespeare’s fertile prose quickly and efficiently. The text, presented side-by-side with animated action, is easy to follow with portions of text being highlighted as they are spoken in the play. The integrated combination of text, audio and graphics is designed to facilitate learners of varying abilities and learning styles.”

10.  Literary Analysis Guide

“Literary Analysis Guide is a reference tool for students of literature, rhetoric, and writing. The elements of literature are arranged around three clickable interface wheels. Touch any term on the wheels for a detailed definition, examples from literature, questions to ask, and an example essay paragraph that analyzes that term. Students can also reference an illustrated version of each analysis paragraph which highlights the topic sentence, textual evidence, and analysis portions of text.”

11. SPEEDSim: Spatial Population Ecological and Epidemiological Dynamics Simulator

Grade Levels:  9-12+

“Spatial Population Ecological and Epidemiological Dynamics Simulator (SPEED Sim) is a tool that enables hands-on interactive exploration of the spatial dynamics of various computational models in population ecology and epidemiology. The app also provides several cellular automaton models as an introduction to these kinds of simulations.”

12. MasterClass

What Is MasterClass?

MasterClass is an online learning platform that offers in-depth video courses taught by renowned experts in various fields. It provides individuals with the opportunity to learn from some of the world’s most accomplished professionals, including celebrated actors, musicians, writers, athletes, chefs, and more. Each course consists of pre-recorded video lessons, typically divided into several chapters, where instructors share their knowledge, experiences, and techniques.

The classes seek to be well-produced, combining instructional content with personal anecdotes and demonstrations to create an immersive learning experience. With a diverse range of subjects available, MasterClass empowers learners to explore their passions, acquire new skills, and gain insights from industry icons.

13. Audible

Animate Me! 3D Animation For Kids 

Grade Levels:  3-12+

“Create 3D animations of cartoons in a simple and intuitive manner on your tablet or phone. If you’ve ever wondered how they bring characters to life in animation movies like Frozen or Toy Story, this app is for you. Kids can learn to make 3D animations that showcase their creativity and storytelling abilities.”

14.  Opposing Views

Grade Levels:  10-12+

“At Opposing Views, we report the news and let you debate it. We deliver the day’s most pressing, important and unbiased news. Instantly access news that will make you think, laugh…”

What is TED?

TED is an app that provides access to a vast library of TED Talks and presentations on various topics. Listening to TED Talks can stimulate critical thinking by exposing you to different perspectives, ideas, and arguments. The app allows you to explore talks on subjects like science, technology, psychology, and philosophy, encouraging you to think critically and engage with thought-provoking content.

16.  Neuriva Brain Gym

“Shake and tilt sugar molecules to set off chemical reactions and earn points! This game features a cast of protein characters based on real structures found inside our cells. Explore the structure and function of ten of the tiny proteins that break down sugar in the cell. In each level, tilt different sugars to their matching proteins, setting off chemical reactions and avoiding obstacles.”

tinkerbox3c

17. TinkerBox HD – Autodesk Inc.

Grade Levels:

“If you can imagine it, you can build it with TinkerBox. TinkerBox is a fun, free-to-play physics puzzle game. While it is full of interesting science facts and teaches basic engineering concepts, TinkerBox is more than just educational! Take the tools in your hands to explore your creativity and imagination with Invent mode. Build outrageous machines, share them with your friends, or download popular inventions online. Stretch your brain through the devious Puzzle mode. Get immersed in physics-based puzzles and mechanical concepts, where your only hope for success is your creative problem solving.”

18.  SimCity BuildIt – Electronic Arts

“Solve real life challenges like traffic, fires, and pollution. Provide services like power plants and police departments to meet your citizens’ needs, and boost your population with parks and education. Keep traffic moving with grand avenues and streetcars. Complete fun challenges to shape your society.”

19. Artificial Life

“Oddly hypnotic and relaxing, Artificial Life is a simulation of the growth and evolution of microorganisms – basically artificial life forms. Initially, each organism is given a random set of rules governing its behavior. If the rules end up being useful for survival, the organism may live long enough to mate with another organism and pass its genetic code on to some offspring.

Over time, the organisms with the most useful behaviors will pass on their genetic code, leading to interesting patterns of behavior unfolding before your eyes – flocking behaviors, solitary predatory tactics, scavenging, and hiding are some examples – and all this behavior is evolving from total randomness.”

20.  Block Craft 3D : City Building Simulator

Basic Description

Like Minecraft, with a greater focus on crafting.

sims-3c

20.  The Sims

Build a life, make decisions, design homes, prioritize relationships, maintain personal health, focus on actions and decisions that promote health, happiness, and well-being.

For other “micro-life simulations,” consider:

21. Chaos Lab

22. LifeSim

23.  SimpleLife 

24.  Artificial Life

25.  Game Of Life

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Top 10 Critical Thinking Apps for Students

Think of your brain like a toolbox. Apps are kind of like those awesome multi-tools with everything you need, but for your mind! Wouldn’t it be awesome to have a set of digital tools designed to make you a master problem-solver, a logic champion, and a super creative brainstormer? That’s where critical thinking apps come in. Ready to level up your thinking skills? Let’s explore the best of the best!

Table of Contents

Why Critical Thinking Apps Matter?

Okay, I know what you might be thinking: “Critical thinking? Isn’t that just for super-serious grown-up stuff?” Nope! Critical thinking is how you analyze information, solve problems, and make smart decisions. It’s basically the secret weapon of successful students.

Think of it like this: school throws a ton of facts at you. Critical thinking is what helps you actually use all that knowledge and apply it to the real world.

How can critical thinking apps boost learning and grades?

  • Deeper Understanding : These apps help you dig beneath the surface of what you’re learning, making connections that might not be obvious at first.
  • Unlock Problem-Solving Skills : They give you a whole toolbox of strategies to analyze tricky situations and find creative solutions.
  • Improved Decision Making : Critical thinking helps you weigh options and make informed choices – on homework assignments, in group projects, and even in your personal life.

Helpful Hint:

Critical thinking isn’t just about getting better grades (though it definitely helps!). It’s about becoming a more flexible, adaptable thinker, ready to tackle any challenge.

Top 10 Critical Thinking Apps: Our Picks

Ready to find the perfect app? Here’s a breakdown of factors to consider before hitting that download button:

  • Age Group : Choose an app that aligns with your current school subjects and learning style. A super complex logic app might frustrate an elementary schooler, while a basic pattern game might bore a high school student.
  • Skill Focus : Some apps target specific critical thinking skills like problem-solving, logic, reasoning, or creativity. Think about which area you want to strengthen first.
  • Free vs. Paid : There are excellent critical thinking apps in both categories. Free versions are a great way to test the waters, and paid apps often offer expanded features or more in-depth challenges.

Age 5-8: Building the Blocks of Critical Thinking

These apps focus on foundational skills like observation, pattern recognition, and basic problem-solving, all wrapped in a fun and engaging package:

1. Think!Kids

This award-winning app uses adorable animations and interactive games to introduce young students to critical thinking concepts. Kids will sort shapes, solve puzzles, and complete silly challenges that get them thinking creatively. (Free trial; paid subscription available)

  • Android: Think!Kids on Google Play Store .
  • iPhone: Think!Kids on Apple App Store .

2. Loopy Logic Puzzles

These colorful brain teasers introduce basic logic and reasoning skills in a playful way. Kids will use visual clues to solve mazes, unscramble patterns, and complete sequences. (Free with in-app purchases)

iPhone: Link to Loopy Logic Puzzles on Apple App Store .

Helpful Stats: A study published in the Journal of Applied Developmental Psychology found that children who engaged in regular problem-solving activities scored higher on critical thinking assessments compared to those who did not.

Age 9-12: Leveling Up Thinking Skills

As kids enter middle school, the critical thinking challenges get a bit more complex. Here are some apps to match their growing minds:

3. Euclidea

This geometry game disguised as an app is a fantastic way to develop spatial reasoning and problem-solving skills. Players use logic and creativity to solve geometric puzzles that gradually increase in difficulty. (Free)

Link to the app website: euclidea.xyz iPhone: Link to Euclidea on Apple App Store .

4. CodyMaze

Coding meets critical thinking in this engaging app. Kids will use logic and step-by-step planning to guide a robot character through challenging mazes. This app is a great introduction to coding concepts while also strengthening critical thinking skills. (Free with in-app purchases)

  • Android: Link to CodyMaze on Google Play Store .
  • iPhone: Link to CodyMaze on Apple App Store .

5. Peak – Brain Games & Training

This app offers a fun mix of brain games that target various aspects of critical thinking, including problem-solving, memory, focus, and mental agility. Its vibrant visuals and personalized challenges make it engaging for this age group. (Free with premium subscription for additional features)

Android: Link to Peak on Google Play Store . iPhone: Link to Peak on Apple App Store .

Age 13 and Up: Critical Thinking for Teens

Teenagers are naturally curious and love a good challenge. These apps will push their critical thinking skills to the limit:

This science-backed brain training app offers a wide variety of exercises and games targeting multiple areas of cognitive function . Among its exercises, many promote critical thinking skills like problem-solving, logic, speed, and decision-making. (Free, with paid subscription for more extensive features)

Android: Link to BrainHQ on Google Play Store . iPhone: Link to BrainHQ on Apple App Store .

This mind mapping app is a fantastic tool for brainstorming, organizing ideas, and seeing the bigger picture. Teens can use it for school projects, study sessions, or just to explore their own creativity. (Free with paid upgrade options)

Link to the app website: Ayoa.com

8. Socratic by Google

This app uses real-world scenarios to pose thought-provoking questions and encourage critical thinking. Users can explore different viewpoints, analyze evidence, and develop strong arguments. (Free)

Android: Link to Socratic on Google Play Store . iPhone: Link to Socratic  on Apple App Store .

Stat: According to a study by Stanford University, students who regularly debated complex topics showed significant improvement in critical thinking skills compared to those who did not

9. DragonBox Elements

This award-winning game series cleverly combines logic puzzles with the basic principles of algebra. Players will solve increasingly complex challenges that require strategic thinking and creative problem-solving skills. (Free with in-app purchases for additional levels)

Link to the app website: dragonbox.com

10. Elevate

This app goes beyond critical thinking and offers a holistic brain-training experience. It includes games that target memory, processing speed, focus, and critical thinking. (Free with paid subscription for access to all features)

Link to the app website: elevateapp.com

Wrapping Up

Critical thinking skills are essential for success in today’s world. From schoolwork to future careers, the ability to analyze, problem-solve, and think outside the box will set you apart. Critical thinking apps offer a playful and interactive way to boost these valuable skills. Whether you’re a student or an adult seeking lifelong learning, don’t underestimate the power of enhancing your thinking toolkit. Start exploring, have fun, and let your mind stretch in unexpected ways!

How-To Geek

The 6 best brain training apps and games.

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Google is purging android apps from the play store, and it’s for the best, google pixel 8a: end of the line, quick links, table of contents.

Having a sharp mind isn't just for those in school, and homework, studying, and tests aren't the only way to help sharpen your mind. Brain training apps can help you stay sharp, and these make the process fun and easy!

By using brain training apps, it's possible to improve your concentration skills or even gain a stronger memory. They may even help your mind stay sharp as you age. With these fun apps and games, you'll be better at these skills, which could even carry over to how your brain performs tasks in real life.

Do Brain Training Apps Actually Work?

How do brain training apps work.

  • The Longtime Favorite: Lumosity
  • Another Well-Rounded Option: Elevate
  • Brain Training and Meditation: Focus Factor Brain Hub
  • Lots of Categories, Workouts, and Games: Peak
  • Old School and Simple: Genina Sudoku
  • Find the Right Word: New York Times Crossword

A consensus among scientists is yet to be reached about whether or not brain training apps are actually effective . Many believe that there is no proof that these games are ineffective, while others are sure they don't work . There are many inconsistent and different conclusions out there, plus with so many brain training apps out there making hyperbolic promises of the health benefits that can be reaped from their apps, it's understandable if it confuses you, too.

Mostly, the controversies settle around whether the sometimes-odd tasks one is asked to complete within these apps---like feeding a group of fish or completing simple rapid-fire arithmetic problems---have any consequential impact on your brain or daily life. Likewise, proponents in favor of brain games counter this by saying the brain is like a muscle that needs to be regularly exercised and toned, and that repetition and regular practice can absolutely make a difference.

According to the Mayo Clinic , however, results are mild to moderate at best with no strong evidence in any direction. Part of the problem is that there aren't any long-term studies (spanning multiple decades) that have been completed on the topic to add sufficient evidence to either side.

So, unfortunately, any definitive conclusion regarding the efficacy of brain training apps is still up in the air. We think the truth lies somewhere in the middle, that they can probably do a little to sharpen your mind. Either way, these apps and games are super fun to play.

Using a brain training app is considered to be an active behavior, rather than one that's passive, according to Tamily Weissman , PhD, neuroscientist, and Associate Professor of Biology at Lewis & Clark College. Actively thinking about something keeps your brain's neural circuits more active, and when they're repeatedly activated, they are strengthened.

Many brain training apps and games keep your mind thinking actively by having you juggle multiple tasks, recalling where items are or what they're called, complete arithmetic problems, think creatively, or make accurate decisions quickly.

The Longtime Favorite: Lumosity ( Android and iPhone )

Lumosity app with brain training options and progress tracking features

When thinking of brain training apps, the first one that probably pops into everyone's mind is Lumosity ( Android and iPhone ), because it's been around for years. The fun app offers over 40 puzzles and games that test your brain and help it train memory, logic, and math skills for a well-rounded mind workout.

It features specific challenges for attention, flexibility, problem solving, language, math, speed, memory, and more. You can also choose one of many workout modes, which offer curated lists of games along with personalized training tracking. This makes it a little easier to keep an eye on your progress.

Lumosity also offers detailed training insights so you can learn your strengths and weaknesses, and gives you an analysis of your gameplay that might help you make connections to daily life. The app's premium subscription upgrade runs $11.99 per month and gives you personalized training, tips for more accurate gameplay and strategy, and in-depth insights.

Another Well-Rounded Option: Elevate ( Android and iPhone )

Elevate app with games and scores

Elevate ( Android and iPhone ) offers extensive developmental tracking across five categories, and gives you over 35 games to try your hand, or rather your mind, at. It uses bold, colorful games to test your mind, spanning areas like memory, comprehension, focus, and other similar skills. The app claims it can boost your productivity, self-confidence, earning power, speaking abilities, and processing skills.

Logging in regularly will help you keep up your streak on the app's built-in calendar and help maintain motivation. Elevate also gives you personalized daily workouts that focus on working the skills you need the most help with, and its adaptive difficulty ensures your exercise is always challenging no matter how much you progress.

The app also has a pro subscription option with multiple tiers starting at $4.99 per month and a free trial period. Upgrading unlocks additional games, unlimited free play, and other features.

Brain Training and Meditation: Focus Factor Brain Hub ( Android and iPhone )

Focus Factor Brain Hub app with games, meditation, and tracking options

Focus Factor Brain Hub ( Android and iPhone ) takes a slightly different approach to things, balancing stimulating brain training with mindful meditation. The company believes this is a more holistic, well-rounded approach for users of all ages. It also shakes things up each day and offers personalized guidance.

Categories in Focus Factor include problem solving, language, memory, focus, and math, in a library of over 20 fun games. Problem solving games are designed to improve process of elimination skills; language games expand your active vocabulary and test creative word generation; memory games improve information and visual recall skills; focus games test your ability to maintain attention in rotating environments, and to avoid distractions; math games boost your quick calculation skills.

Focus Factor also has about a dozen meditation topics, which are then broken down into individual meditative sessions. Topics include managing stress, concentration, anxiety, breath, pain, and good sleep, and range from beginner to expert. You'll also find a mood tracker, breathing exercises, a supplement log tracker, short-form audiobooks, and an in-depth performance tracker in the app.

The app also offers a premium option---at $17.49 per month, the priciest on our list---which grants you unlimited access to every last bit of content on the app. And though the app says it's for all ages, we recommend it for adults or at least older children at the youngest.

Lots of Categories, Workouts, and Games: Peak ( Android and iPhone )

Peak app with progress reports, training options, and tracking evolution graph

The two best things about Peak ( Android and iPhone ) are its gorgeous design and its large library of categories, workouts, and games. Peak has over 45 games spanning six categories you can play, or you can challenge yourself with its versatile Daily Workouts to hone your attention, memory, coordination, emotion control, and mental agility along with your language and problem-solving skills.

The app features a convenient Coffee Break mode, which makes it easy to fit in a little training in under five minutes. There are other training modes to choose from as well, like Weakest Link, Low Rank, and The Total Workout, depending on what your particular goals are. You can also opt for the Advanced Training modules, which were designed with scientists and universities (including Cambridge).

You can track your progress with in-depth insights and statistics, and even compete against friends or compare our scores with other players in your profession or age range. Upgrading to the Peak Pro plan, which starts at $4.99 per month---gets you tailored workouts, deeper and more tailored performance analysis, and access to the app's full catalog of content.

Old School and Simple: Genina Sudoku ( Android and iPhone )

Sudoku puzzle in progress, and in-game options menu

Though it might seem an odd pick after the brain training apps we've featured, Sudoku felt like a natural addition to our list. If you don't want to bother with the dedicated apps, Genina Sudoku ( Android and iPhone ) is a great way to keep your brain sharp any time of day. The stylish and easy-to-use app makes it easy to jump right into a game and work out unlimited puzzles.

The app gives you four difficulty levels to choose from, three input modes, the ability to make notes, and a handy auto-save function. You can select a digit or choose from the other myriad highlighting options, show a digit count option, get logic-only hints, and take advantage of the unlimited Undo and Redo feature. If you want, there's even an option for submitting your results online, tracking your progress, and comparing your top scores against those from other players.

Find the Right Word: New York Times Crossword ( Android and iPhone )

New York Times Crossword puzzles

In a similar vein as sudoku, we'd also be remiss to exclude crossword puzzles from our lineup. If you find more of a challenge with words, rather than numbers, partaking in a daily puzzle from the New York Times Crossword app ( Android and iPhone ) is a solid idea. This crossword puzzle app in particular is high quality, widely loved, and well-designed.

To get the most out of the app, we recommend paying for a subscription, which starts at $6.99 per month. With it, you'll unlock every feature and puzzle type---including the daily puzzles, mini crossword packs, past puzzles, MIDI puzzle packs, spelling bees, and more. The app syncs across the mobile and web versions, and you can put your score on the app's leaderboard.

Discover what your mind can do

Exercise memory, flexibility, and more with the world’s most popular brain training program..

No purchase necessary

You care about your brain. We do, too.

Train the skills that matter to you most.

Memory. Processing Speed. Problem Solving. Lumosity targets these cognitive skills and more.

Scientific rigor, made fun

Lumosity takes tasks from the lab and turns them into fun games. We interpret your scores to offer actionable feedback and rich insights into your cognition.

Daily exercise for your mind

Work out with a fresh set of games each day to keep you challenged. Detailed progress tracking helps maintain your brain training habit.

Brain training tailored to you

No matter your age or skill level, Lumosity knows that all brains are different, and our program adapts to your unique strengths and weaknesses.

Science. That feels like games.

Our scientists take tasks from the lab and adapt them into easy-to-learn brain games., 14 years, 100 million members.

4.7 rating on iOS App Store

"I am surprised and delighted by your games. I appreciate the variety and multiplicity of games and the feeling of personalization. The daily workouts are welcome, more fun than push ups, and they make my day go even better."

Mary , New Jersey

"I really like this app. Lots of great games and it comes with tutorials that help you understand the game. I love the Insights I receive every time I train. It's also nice that I get to choose what to play."

Rashmi , California

Researching the efficacy of Lumosity

What we did

Lumos Labs conducted a randomized study of Lumosity brain training and published the results in a peer-reviewed research journal.

In it, half of the 4,715 participants who completed the study trained five days per week, for fifteen minutes each day on Lumosity while the other half did online crossword puzzles as an active control.

What we found

After 10 weeks, Lumosity users improved more than the control group on our assessments of working memory, short term memory, processing speed, problem solving, fluid reasoning, and overall cognitive function.

These results are promising, but more research is needed to determine the connection between improved assessment scores and everyday tasks in participants' lives.

Next questions

Future research should address the risk of inadvertent experimenter bias and the risk of attrition bias in this study, as both the Lumosity and crossword groups had approximately 50% attrition rate. As with all scientific research, there is also a risk of publication bias.

Download Figment

Build a creative practice by experimenting with music, art, writing and more. download our newest app, figment, to jumpstart your creativity with new daily activities., introducing lumosity mind, lumosity mind includes mindfulness sessions on the topics of relaxation, focus, and sleep—designed by the experts at lumosity., start your free training program.

Best Apps for Problem Solving: Top Picks for Effective Solutions

top free critical thinking apps

These apps come in many forms, addressing everything from math and science problems to enhancing attention and concentration. They offer accessibility and support for users seeking to bolster their problem-solving capabilities. In addition to educational applications, many of these apps are also tailored to address challenges in industries like business and mental health or even to provide career guidance.

Key Takeaways

Recognizing problem-solving apps.

top free critical thinking apps

Android Apps

Educational benefits of problem-solving apps, boosting learning skills.

Problem-solving apps provide a variety of educational benefits to users, aiding in the development of crucial learning skills. These apps target different aspects of learning, such as memory, reading, writing, and listening, by presenting engaging challenges and activities. As users navigate through these tasks, they gain valuable insights and ideas that contribute to their overall understanding of an array of subjects.

Enhancing Critical Thinking

Problem-solving apps also play a vital role in enhancing critical thinking abilities. By offering various challenges and exercises, these apps motivate users to employ creative thinking, logical reasoning, and decision-making skills. Through continuous practice and application, the users develop a deeper understanding of concepts and improve their ability to analyze and evaluate scenarios.

Applications in Math and Science

Apps for math problems, applications for science tasks.

In conclusion, utilizing these various apps and online tools can significantly improve students’ problem-solving abilities in both math and science domains, paving the way for academic success.

Enhancing Attention and Concentration

Support and help within apps.

When it comes to navigating through an app, a well-designed interface and smooth user experience will keep users engaged and motivated to solve problems. This includes logical menu structures, consistent design elements, and clear labeling for different sections or features. Visual aids, such as color-coding or iconography, can further help users find their way around the app, streamlining the overall problem-solving process.

Problem-Solving Apps for Business

Applications for business challenges.

Mobile applications are becoming increasingly useful in improving customer services by providing quicker query resolution and 24/7 support. AI-based chatbots, often embedded in mobile apps, can help businesses respond to customer queries and questions more efficiently, resulting in better customer satisfaction.

Mental Health Support through Apps

Apps for anxiety, apps for depression, popular puzzle and brain games, memory-boosting puzzle games, the new york times crossword, career guidance through problem-solving apps.

By using these problem-solving apps and adopting a methodical approach to tackling career challenges, individuals can pave the way for continuous growth and achievement. It is vital to remember that enhancing one’s problem-solving skills is a journey, requiring dedication and persistent effort.

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What is hindsight bias: a comprehensive analysis, critical thinking, fake news and cancel culture, critical thinking concepts: enhancing decision-making skills, critical thinking and the decision making process, download this free ebook.

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top free critical thinking apps

Build student confidence

Class discussions can be daunting for many students. Kialo’s text-based format, as well as an Anonymous Discussion mode, helps students contribute at their own pace.

top free critical thinking apps

Promote deeper comprehension

Kialo helps students understand how different ideas link together. Its visual format makes it easy to build and understand sophisticated lines of reasoning — improving subject knowledge and critical thinking skills.

top free critical thinking apps

Recorded and gradable discussions

With traditional class discussions, it’s hard to remember who said what after the bell rings. But Kialo discussions are automatically saved, so you and your students can come back for easy grading or review.

Works with all your favorite platforms

top free critical thinking apps

A really easy, quick, and manageable way
 to engage in thinking that is not only visible but also recordable. Dr. Peter Ellerton Director of the University of Queensland's Critical Thinking Project

Designed to make your job easier

Kialo has loads of pros

Ways to use Kialo

Not only for class discussions

Grounded in academic research

A million people are already having deeper discussions with Kialo — join them now for free!

Number Dyslexia

8 Awesome Critical Thinking Apps For Adults

What makes one person different from another? Well, besides their identity, it’s their ability to critically analyze everything and make a decision that carves a distinct life for everyone, making them unique from one another. Intellectual standards also come in handy when looking forward to determining the extent of critical thinking in an individual. 

Critical thinking is one trait that is used in many areas of life. From observing, and forming judgment to decision making, enhancing critical thinking skills has become imperative for adults. Apps can be an effective option to get started with this journey of developing such crucial life skills.

Hence, in this post, you will find the various apps that can help adults build and enhance their critical thinking skills. 

The concept of critical thinking 

Critical thinking is known as the process of actively and successfully conceiving, applying, analyzing, synthesizing, and/or evaluating knowledge as a basis for belief and action. It requires intellectual discipline.

A Critical thinker with practice:

  • raises important issues and articulate them simply and clearly
  • collects and evaluates pertinent information, effectively interpreting it using abstract concepts.
  • reaches well-thought-out findings and solutions, evaluating them in light of pertinent criteria and standards
  • successfully collaborates with others to find solutions to challenging situations
  • thinks critically about other schools of thought like recognizing and evaluating. Their underlying presuppositions, implications, and application of thoughts into actions also fall under the concept of thinking into practice.

Applications useful for critical thinking amongst adults

1. lumosity .

Lumosity

It is a popular brain training app developed by neuroscientists. Its purpose is to boost memory and attention span while encouraging problem-solving behavior and divergent thinking to think of flexible solutions. 

The cognitive training program on Lumosity is a fun, engaging method to exercise your brain and learn more about how the mind functions. The Lumosity application, which is used by more than 100 million people worldwide, consists of games that challenge players’ memory, speed, flexibility, and problem-solving skills.

This app helps train adults into a more critical state by taking their time and utilizing it into solving puzzles through this app, the critical thinking quality will flourish among them.

App link : Play store | App store | Web app

Elevate

It is a personalized app to train the brain and consists of daily game workouts. It provides a calendar that is easy to access and allows you to log your workout conveniently to track your performance and progress. 

The app consists of 30 cognitive and concentration games relevant enough to help progress critical thinking and provides adaptive difficulty progression.

A very important aspect that this app provides is what medical professionals have been telling us since the inception of time, exercise. Be it physical or mental, this app helps in scheduling exercises well in advance for a busy adult.

App Link: Play store | App store | Web app

3. Brain it on

Brain it on

It is a physics-based puzzle game that offers different types of brain stimulation through challenges and puzzles. It asks the user to solve different puzzles by drawing on the screen, and the purpose is to encourage divergent thinking and problem-solving.

It is a highly rated app under the recommendation for mental skills.

“Brain it On!” features an arcade-style appearance and launches the main game as soon as the app is opened. The game will begin with simple challenges like drawing a straight line, tilting a form in a certain way, etc., similar to other casual puzzle games. Making the most of the early levels is crucial because as the game progresses, the riddles will become increasingly challenging.

App link: Play store | App store | Web App

Peak

This app is available on both Google Play and iOS App Store. It provides more than 45 brain training games that combine technology and neuroscience and aims to improve memory, attention, problem-solving, and mental agility through fun.

In addition, the app improves users’ performance by providing feedback after each game and provides insights and statistics based on the user’s age and profession.

Three times a week of practice is advised by the developers. Each exercise adapts to the user’s proficiency level and concludes with feedback. The basic premium edition of Peak Pro gives unlimited access to all 40+ exercises, along with individualized training sessions and comprehensive feedback (mainly percentage and graphs on progress), whereas the basic free version only permits a small selection of randomly chosen daily activities.

5. Brainwell

Brainwell

This rather cool app provides over 50 games to stimulate different parts of your brain. It includes journals like puzzles, teasers, mind tests, and more. It functions to improve memory, attention span, focus, and IQ. 

With over 1 million downloads, it promises to help with problem-solving, attention, visual skills, and language. Designed with neuroscience knowledge, it challenges the users and helps sharpen one’s mind.

App Link: Play store | App store

Chess

This game app has been a favorite for adults for a long time. The online version of chess, similar to the offline game, helps an individual develop foresight and perseverance. It tests an individual’s sportsmanship and helps sharpen thinking and decision-making skills.

Chess is bound to improve an individual’s cognitive skills, attention span, and memory along with logical thinking and comes with many more benefits. 

This app and its cognitive enhancing power are known to the entire world, probably the most adult-friendly among the lot, this app is an amazing productive time-pass for busy professionals out there.

App link : Play store | Web app

7. Brainturk

Brainturk

The printer is a mobile and computer-based app that provides over 40 games and meditation techniques based on neuroplasticity principles. These games help improve attention span, language skills, focus, short and long-term cognitive memory, and tools to address psychological barriers.

Neuropsychological researchers have used these games as they were shown to increase the strength of brain muscles and memory speed and provide complex stimulation to an individual’s brain. Some of the games include the flanker task, Stroop task, picture back, tracking objects, revised space fortress, and math games.

App link: Play store | App store | Web app

8. Geist 

Geist 

Geist is another brain training app designed to keep the brain functioning actively. It is based on neuroplasticity and developed by experts and has also been used in the research community. 

It provides 24 games with more than 720 levels that help in improving brain connectivity, memory, logic concentration, reaction, and mathematical skills. It also provides workouts that a personalized win individual, cater to their curated goals, and allows tracking of the progress based on scientific testing. 

It also provides a series of meditation that helps in brain training. Geist provides a study of your performance following a brain training session. It compares you to other Geist users and identifies some of your cognitive strong points. You can unlock new tests by using the Geist points you earn by doing well on these exercises. This is a wonderful addition because it makes sure users are proficient before moving on.

App link: App store

Conclusion 

It is important that we view the world from a subjective point of view; for that, we require information and the ability to identify assumptions and arguments from hardcore facts and truth. Critical thinking aims to reason and inquire about creating and updating one’s opinions based on solid arguments. Being able to think critically is practical for us as individuals since it is important in a world that prioritizes the ability to manage information.

Manpreet Singh

An engineer, Maths expert, Online Tutor and animal rights activist. In more than 5+ years of my online teaching experience, I closely worked with many students struggling with dyscalculia and dyslexia. With the years passing, I learned that not much effort being put into the awareness of this learning disorder. Students with dyscalculia often misunderstood for having  just a simple math fear. This is still an underresearched and understudied subject. I am also the founder of  Smartynote -‘The notepad app for dyslexia’, 

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Argumentful

16 Best Free Online Critical Thinking Courses

top free critical thinking apps

Written by Argumentful

Critical thinking is one of the most fundamental skills you could focus on. In fact, these skills are so important that many educational institutions have listed them among their central goals. Critical thinking helps you sort the true from the false.

The bad news is that not many people own these skills. Einstein famously said:

“Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I’m not sure about the former.”

The good news though is that you can improve your thinking and you can do it without breaking the bank.

Below are listed 16 of the best free online critical thinking courses with details regarding their contents.

Go on, choose your preferred course and take action today! (You can thank me later😉!)

P.S. Apart from the general critical thinking courses, I’ve included 5 specific ones which focus on today’s burning issues- fake news and climate change , as well as correctly interpreting randomized clinical trials and screening trials. See numbers 12 to 16 below.

Jump to Section

Critical reasoning for beginners, critical thinking classes at fayetteville state university, logical and critical thinking, critical thinking: fundamentals of good reasoning, philosophy and critical thinking, critical thinking & problem solving, introduction to critical thinking and logic, teaching critical thinking through art with the national gallery of art.

  • Critical thinking: Reasoned Decision Making

The Science of Everyday Thinking

Critical thinking at university: an introduction, making sense of news, sorting truth from fiction: civic online reasoning, making sense of climate science denial, thinking critically: interpreting randomized clinical trials, thinking critically series: interpreting screening trials.

Critical Thinking ResourceInstitutionTotal Time InvestmentGeneral VS. SpecificCost
1. Critical Reasoning for BeginnersUniversity of Oxford4 hoursGeneralFree
2. Critical Thinking Classes at Fayetteville State UniversityFayetteville State University24 hoursGeneralFree
3. Logical and Critical ThinkingUniversity of Auckland32 hoursGeneralFree
4. Critical Thinking: Fundamentals of Good ReasoningUniversity of Israel54 hoursGeneralFree
5. Philosophy and Critical ThinkingUniversity of Queensland24 hoursGeneralFree
6. Critical Thinking & Problem SolvingRochester Institute of Technology18 hoursGeneralFree
7. Introduction to Critical Thinking and LogicSaylor.org Academy40 hoursGeneralFree
8. Teaching Critical Thinking Through Art with the National Gallery of ArtSmithsonian Institution64 hoursGeneralFree
9. Critical Thinking: Reasoned Decision MakingTecnológico de Monterrey32 hoursGeneralFree
10. The Science of Everyday ThinkingUniversity of Queensland36 hoursGeneralFree
11. Critical Thinking at University: An IntroductionUniversity of Leeds8 hoursGeneralFree

Offered by : University of Oxford

Description :

4 hours, 6 modules

1: The Nature of Arguments

How to recognise arguments and what the nature of an argument is

2: Different Types of Arguments

Different types of arguments, in particular deductive and inductive arguments

3: Setting Out Arguments Logic Book Style

How to identify and analyse arguments, and how to set arguments out logic book-style to make them easier to evaluate

4: What is a  Good Argument? Validity and Truth

How to evaluate arguments and how to tell whether an argument is good or bad, focusing specifically on inductive arguments

5: Evaluating Arguments Part One

Evaluation of arguments – this time deductive arguments – focusing in particular on the notion of validity

6: Evaluating Arguments Part Two

Fallacies: bad arguments that can easily be mistaken for good arguments

Also available on YouTube and iTunes

Offered by : Fayetteville State University

24 videos, 24 hours

Lectures from Spring 2011 Critical Thinking classes at Fayetteville State University held by Gregory B. Sadler. The textbook used was Moore And Parker’s Critical Thinking 9th edition .

  • Issues, claims, arguments
  • Arguments and non-arguments
  • Value Judgments
  • Complex arguments, unstated premises
  • Deductive and inductive arguments with implicit premises
  • Deductive and inductive arguments
  • Information sources
  • Experts and appeal to authority
  • Critical thinking and advertising
  • Rhetorical devices

Offered by : University Of Auckland

8 Weeks of study, 4 hours weekly

  • Identify common flaws in belief construction
  • Recognise and reconstruct arguments
  • Evaluate arguments as being good or bad
  • Analyse arguments using basic logical tools
  • Apply basic logical strategies in areas such as science, moral theories and law

Offered by : IsraelX

9 weeks, 4-6 hours per week

You can create a free account on edx.org and have access to the course for 2 months. After 2 months, you can pay £37 to get unlimited access to the course.

The objective of the course is to improve the student’s ability in the basic skills of critical thinking:

  • how to recognize arguments,
  • how to interpret them,
  • how to evaluate them,
  • how to construct them.

Lesson 1. What’s “Critical Thinking?” Lesson 2. What are Arguments Made Of? Lesson 3. From Premises to Conclusions Lesson 4. Recognizing Arguments: Introduction Lesson 5. Argument vs. The Text Containing It Lesson 6. Recognizing Conclusions Lesson 7. Arguments vs. Explanations Lesson 8. Argument Diagrams: Introduction Lesson 9. More about Argument Diagrams Lesson 10. Argument Diagrams: Examples Lesson 11. Hedges Lesson 12. Disclaimers Lesson 13. Examples Lesson 14. Rhetorical Language Lesson 15. Referential Attribution Lesson 16. Principles of Interpretation Lesson 17. Implicit Premises Lesson 18. What’s a Good Argument? Lesson 19. More Virtues of Arguments Lesson 20. Argument Ad Hominem Lesson 21. Argument Ad Verecundiam Lesson 22. Argument Ad Populum Lesson 23. Argument Ad Ignorantiam Lesson 24. Argument Ad Baculum and Ad Misericordiam Lesson 25. Venn Diagrams Lesson 26. Beyond Venn Lesson 27. Modus Ponens Lesson 28. Modus Tollens Lesson 29. Conditionals Lesson 30. Reductio Ad Absurdum Lesson 31. Process of Elimination Lesson 32. Separation of Cases Lesson 33. Truth Trees: An Example Lesson 34. How to Grow Truth Trees Lesson 35. Truth Trees: Another Example Lesson 36. Reflexive Relations Lesson 37. Symmetric Relations Lesson 38. Transitive Relations Lesson 39. Inductive Generalization Lesson 40. What’s a Good Sample? Lesson 41. The New Riddle of Induction Lesson 42. From Induction to Causation Lesson 43. Evaluating Causal Generalizations Lesson 44. Argument from Analogy: Basics Lesson 45. Argument from Analogy: Examples Lesson 46. Who Needs Analogues? Lesson 47. Inference to the Best Explanation Lesson 48. Experimentation Lesson 49. Building an Argument Lesson 50. Writing Up an Argument

Offered by : The University of Queensland

6 weeks, 1-4 hours per week

  • How to think with clarity and rigour
  • How to identify, analyse and construct cogent arguments
  • How to think of solutions to the central problems of philosophy
  • How to engage in philosophical conversations with others about topics that matter

Offered by : Rochester Institute of Technology

3 weeks, 4-6 hours per week

  • How to perform strategic analysis and assessment
  • How to perceive and assess a critical need and design a tailored solution
  • How to identify key stakeholders and ensure their needs are met
  • How to employ adaptive problem-solving
  • How to work through obstacles collaboratively
  • How to analyse failure to improve future performance

Offered by : Saylor.org Academy

This course will introduce you to critical thinking, informal logic, and a small amount of formal logic. Its purpose is to provide you with the basic tools of analytical reasoning, which will give you a distinctive edge in a wide variety of careers and courses of study. While many university courses focus on the presentation of content knowledge, the emphasis here is on learning how to think effectively. Although the techniques and concepts covered here are classified as philosophical, they are essential to the practice of nearly every major discipline, from the physical sciences and medicine to politics, law, and the humanities.

  • Unit 1: Introduction and Meaning Analysis
  • Unit 2: Argument Analysis
  • Unit 3: Basic Sentential Logic
  • Unit 4: Venn Diagrams
  • Unit 5: Fallacies
  • Unit 6: Scientific Reasoning
  • Unit 7: Strategic Reasoning and Creativity

Offered by : Smithsonian Institution

16 weeks, 3-4 hours per week

  • How to use Artful Thinking Routines to strengthen thinking.
  • How to facilitate meaningful conversations in your classroom using art for artful learning and artful teaching.
  • How to help learners of all levels develop more discerning descriptions, evidence-based reasoning, and meaningful questioning habits.
  • Key strategies for using content information to push original thinking deeper.
  • Exciting, immersive activities for any type of classroom.
  • How to use online teaching resources from the National Gallery of Art, including downloadable Artful Thinking lesson plans
  • Unit 0: Welcome (2 hours)
  • Unit 1: Diving into Thinking Routines (3-4 hours)
  • Unit 2: Observing and Describing (3-4 hours)
  • Unit 3: Reasoning with Evidence (3-4 hours)
  • Unit 4: Questioning and Investigating (3-4 hours)

Critical thinking: reasoned decision making

Offered by : Tecnológico de Monterrey

4 weeks, 5-8 hours per week

  • Identify the theories that support critical thinking
  • Employ a methodology for the application of critical thinking
  • Relate the elements that make up the stages of critical thinking
  • Analyse the standards of critical thinking practice
  • Assess the responsibility of perpetuating the intellectual values of the resolution analysis
  • Distinguish the vices of thought in decision making
  • Apply critical thinking to groups

1. Thinking according to our times

1.1 Why critical thinking?

1.2 The exciting world of thinking and criticism

2. Evaluating our modes of thought

2.1 Intellectual values of a good thinker

2.2 Evaluating our critical thinking skills. Avoiding vices and biased thinking

3. Elements and standards of critical thinking

3.1 Elements of a critical thinking process

3.2 Standards to apply to our thinking modes

4. Articulating our decisions making process

4.1 The logic of our decisions and the behaviour derived from them

4.2 How to improve our critical thinking skills and become a fair-minded thinker

12 weeks, 2-3 hours per week

The course explores the psychology of our everyday thinking: why people believe weird things, how we form and change our opinions, why our expectations skew our judgments, and how we can make better decisions. We’ll discuss and debate topics such as placebos, the paranormal, medicine, miracles, and more.

You will use the scientific method to evaluate claims, make sense of evidence, and understand why we so often make irrational choices. You will begin to rely on slow, effortful, deliberative, analytic, and logical thinking rather than fast, automatic, instinctive, emotional, and stereotypical thinking.

  • tools for how to think independently, how to be skeptical, and how to value data over personal experience.
  • examining the mental shortcuts that people use and misuse, and apply this knowledge to help make better decisions, and improve critical thinking.

Offered by : University of Leeds

2 weeks, 4 hours weekly

  • What is critical thinking?
  • A model for critical thinking
  • Why is critical thinking important at university?
  • Challenges to thinking critically at university
  • How can you improve your critical thinking?
  • How will critical thinking help you at university?

Offered by : University of Hong Kong

4 weeks, 2-3 hours per week

This course will help you identify reliable information in news reports and become better informed about the world we live in. A discussion on journalism from the viewpoint of the news audience.

  • What makes news? The blurred lines between news, promotion and entertainment.
  • Why does news matter? Social sharing and the dynamics of the news cycles.
  • Who provides information? How to evaluate sources in news reports.
  • Where is the evidence? The process of verification.
  • When should we act? Recognizing our own biases.
  • How do we know what we know? Becoming an active news audience.

You’ll learn to:

  • Distinguish news from opinion; media bias from audience bias; assertion from verification
  • Apply critical thinking skills to examine the validity of information
  • Contextualize the knowledge gained from news report
  • Respond quickly to daily news events and make an informed decision

Offered by : Massachusetts Institute of Technology

9 weeks, 2-4 hours per week

Course aimed at fighting fake news and misinformation

Educators—from teachers to librarians—will learn about:

  • New knowledge that can be applied in your lessons and resources for your own students.
  • How to shift from ineffective information literacy practices towards the kinds of strategies employed by professional fact-checkers.

Unit 1: Search Like a Fact Checker

Unit 2: The Two Big Fact Checker Moves: Lateral Reading & Click Restraint

Unit 3: Evaluating Different Types of Evidence

Unit 4: Adapting Civic Online Reasoning

7 weeks, 2-4 hours per week

WEEK 1: Understanding The Climate Controversy During the first week of the course, we introduce the course content, interact with each other and complete an introductory survey. The week continues with an exploration of political consensus, the drivers and psychology of climate science denial and an overview of the controversy surrounding this topic.

WEEK 2: Global Warming Is Happening In week two, we will look at the indicators of global warming and myths related to temperature and glaciers.

WEEK 3: We Are Causing Global Warming Week three focuses on the ways in which humans cause climate change and the myths associated with the greenhouse effect and the rise in carbon dioxide.

WEEK 4: The Past Tells Us About The Future This week looks at the history of climate change in order to model future climate change. We also address myths related to models.

WEEK 5: We Are Feeling The Impacts Of Climate Change Week five covers climate feedbacks and the impacts of climate change on the environment, society and the weather.

WEEK 6 and 7: Responding to Denial The final weeks of the course look more closely at the psychology of science denial and debunking techniques. We also complete a peer assessment that asks students to practice debunking strategies on real myths that can be found in today’s media.

Approach: mini-lectures, video interviews, quizzes, activities, a peer assessed writing assignment, and readings.

Offered by : Stanford University

1 week, 2-3 hours

This course seeks to fulfil the clinical community’s need to improve skills in the critical evaluation of clinical research papers. Competency in critical appraisal skills can have a significant impact by improving clinical practice, quality of research projects, and peer-review of manuscripts and grants. The course will utilize efficient and engaging videos with relevant clinical examples to cover essential research methodology principles.

  • Analyse the concepts of randomization and blinding in reducing bias.
  • Develop strategies to critically appraise randomized clinical trials and determine if study results are valid.
  • Analyse the key design features of screening studies.
  • Develop strategies to critically appraise screening studies and determine if study results are valid.

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Games That Help Kids Think Critically

When gamers pick up a controller, they're frequently placed in the role of the hero or the protagonist that always wins. But that doesn't always challenge them to think critically or examine all sides of a situation rationally. In fact, what can help some incredible games and apps stand out from other titles is that they don't simply ask kids for RIGHT or WRONG answers. Instead, they encourage them to experiment and consider the shades of gray in problems. Players interested in testing their emotional responses may want to check out our list of the Best Empathy Games, Apps, and Websites as well.

Tozzle - Toddler's favorite puzzle Poster Image

Tozzle - Toddler's favorite puzzle

Drag-and-drop shape puzzles made especially for toddlers.

Montessori Geometry - Recognize and learn shapes Poster Image

Montessori Geometry - Recognize and learn shapes

Amazing starter geometry app is fun and comprehensive.

BoxBoy! + BoxGirl! Poster Image

BoxBoy! + BoxGirl!

Think outside the box with this charming, fun puzzler.

Super Mario Maker 2 Poster Image

Super Mario Maker 2

Fun, accessible editing tools expose kids to game design.

The Last Campfire Poster Image

The Last Campfire

Utterly charming, brilliantly made puzzle game.

Mini Metro Poster Image

Mass transit simulator is simple, marvelous, hard to master.

Mystery Math Town Poster Image

Mystery Math Town

Great math practice with fun story, entertaining characters.

Savings Spree Poster Image

Savings Spree

Kids learn financial literacy through game-show action.

biped Poster Image

Co-op puzzler is violence-free and promotes teamwork.

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BrainPOP Featured Movie

Daily films from educational group provide tons of learning.

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics Poster Image

Clubhouse Games: 51 Worldwide Classics

Collection of classics promotes friendly social experiences.

Good Job! Poster Image

Office-themed puzzler rewards creative and logical thinking.

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Lumines Remastered

Classic puzzle game buzzes with new immersive play feature.

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Maggie's Earth Adventures

Save the planet with these terrific learning activities.

Moving Out Poster Image

Fun co-op sim is appropriate for all ages, skill levels.

Roundguard Poster Image

Clever pinball-esque puzzler has a bit of mild combat.

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The Path of Motus

Adventure tackles bullying with positivity and mild combat.

Untitled Goose Game Poster Image

Untitled Goose Game

Don't let your goose get cooked in feathered fun puzzler.

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Journey to explore big questions only gets you so far.

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Marble Math

Marble mazes make for fun math practice.

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The 6 Best Apps to Improve Your Problem-Solving Skills

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Why Things 3 Is the Best To-Do List App I Can’t Live Without

I track my time at work with these 5 apps, i studied with an ai flashcard generator and i’ll never make my own cards again.

Your ability to solve problems is a valuable skill you cannot do without if you want to succeed in your career, business, and life. While most people learn to solve problems primarily through exposure to challenging situations and having to find solutions almost immediately, others don't.

As such, not everyone is skilled at effective problem-solving. However, there is an easy way to improve your problem-solving skills using technology. Today, there are several fun ways to do so, including playing brain games on your mobile. Here are six game apps you can use to develop problem-solving skills while having fun.

1. Lumosity

Lumosity1-1

Lumosity is a web app that helps you improve your mental skills. It is programmed with activities that help people improve their memory, flexibility, rate of processing information, and concentration levels. Thus, Lumosity is a great tool to help you develop problem-solving capabilities.

Lumosity was launched in 2007 and had over 70 million users as of January 2015. The app is available in English, French, Spanish, and German.

Download : Lumosity for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Happify1

Happify is a company that works to enhance personal, organizational, and healthcare effectiveness by improving the emotional health of its users.

The Happify app incorporates scientific experiments into gaming activities designed to improve resilience and mindfulness and tackle health conditions like mood disorders, depression, anxiety, severe pain, and insomnia. Thus, it is a great healthcare software platform for improving your mental and physical conditions.

Download : Happify for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Elevate1

Launched by Elevate Labs in 2014, Elevate is a brain game app that focuses on improving its users' reading, writing, speaking, listening, and math skills. It is also one of the best android apps to help you solve math problems .

Seeing you already possess the skills mentioned above, you may wonder, is the Elevate brain training app worth your time ? The truth is, there is always room for improvement, hence, the need for you to keep developing these skills. And, as you pass each assessment in the training sessions, the difficulty level increases. This way, you can test whether your abilities are basic or strong.

Download : Elevate for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

4. Neuronation

NN1

Neuronation is a cognitive training site and app that was made public in 2011. Since then, over 10 million people have used the app. The Neuronation app focuses on improving users' cognitive abilities, such as thinking, learning, understanding, and remembering, through its specialized training activities in the program.

Although native to Germany, the app is available in over eight languages, including English, French, Spanish, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Turkish, and German. Additionally, the app enjoys widespread use, especially among German healthcare practitioners.

Download: Neuronation for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Peak1

The Peak brain training app is designed to correct cognitive disorders with the help of short, interactive games. To get started on the Peak brain game app, you will be required to set goals on areas you want to improve, like mental processing, emotional strength, linguistic skills, recollection, concentration levels, and problem-solving.

Once you complete this stage, a virtual coach will be assigned to guide you through the program, and you will be given an assessment. Immediately after you finish each assessment, you will receive feedback based on your result.

You can start using the app for free with the basic version, but it has a limited number of daily exercises that are randomly selected. On the other hand, with the paid version, Peak Pro, you enjoy unlimited access to over 40+ exercises, alongside detailed feedback and personalized training sessions.

Download : Peak for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

6. New York Times Crossword

NYT C2

The New York Times Crossword is a daily puzzle published by the renowned New York Times magazine on their website and mobile apps. The New York Times Crossword puzzle dates back to 1942. The first puzzle was published on Sunday, 15 February 1942.

Several freelance puzzle developers generate the puzzle. The puzzle gets tougher as each day goes by in a week, so the simplest puzzles are on Mondays, and the hardest are on Saturdays. Sunday's crossword puzzle is a 21×21 square matrix, whereas the daily crossword puzzle is a 15×15 square matrix. The crossword and other free puzzle games greatly improve critical thinking, learning, and reasoning abilities.

Download : New York Times Crossword for Android | iOS (Free, in-app purchases available)

Have Fun While Improving Your Problem-solving Skills

Developing cognitive abilities, emotional well-being, and problem-solving skills are no longer challenging. Thanks to these brain game apps, you can develop and improve your mental and emotional abilities more easily, faster, and while having fun.

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Free Learning Apps to Help Students Develop Critical Thinking

Free Educational Apps to Help students Develop Critical Thinking

We are excited to share two new learning apps in development for teachers. These educational apps are available for use now through any browser and have been created to assist in developing critical thinking in students. They are also ideal for parents, or anyone interested in learning about logical fallacies.

The apps are Foolacy and FactOpy. Both apps are in Beta Preview to get suggestions, find bugs and expand content.

As an early adopter you can contribute while teaching kids critical thinking.  Before we present these educational tools and resources, let us first review why teaching these concepts to kids is so important. The study of critical thinking and logical fallacies equip anyone of any age to ask questions before they make a statement of fact or form an opinion about a subject.

It’s easy for us to look at the world five hundred years ago and ridicule a societies lack of knowledge about science, the world and our place the universe. But let’s not be too hasty to look down on past cultures for their naivety.  We have enough problems of our own.  Our world today is very polarized and divisive. One could argue that this is due to a lack of training in critical thinking and even less teaching about logical fallacies.

Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is essential for research to make an informed decision. It evaluates multiple sources of information objectively. Critical thinking is vital to make kids better global citizens. It empowers them to be sounder in their thinking and strong in their ability to distinguish between what is proven and that which is unfounded.

Logical Fallacies

Separate from critical thinking, but still related, logical fallacies are mistaken beliefs based on unsound arguments. While critical thinking equips one with the necessary tools to evaluate information, a study of common types of logical fallacies can enable those who wish to persuade an audience.  This is done by using the appearance of logic, which ends up in an incorrect conclusion.

Educational Tools that Engage Students

The new educational apps we’ve referenced were born out of a need to fill the gap for educators. There just isn’t much out there within this area of teaching.  The goal is to reach young minds before they develop insufficient methods of forming opinions about especially critical issues.

One  issue is that people do not read enough. This includes a lack of discipline by most to not gather information from multiple news sources when researching subjects. Beyond reading, we also need to develop critical thinking skills to properly reason for ourselves when facts to not seem clear.

These apps are safe and free to use.  Anyone can access them to educate themselves.  At the very core, they teach skills that provide proper thinking to solve any problem. Each app features a teacher login in order to assign tests.  There is no need for students to login to take the tests.

The first one is Foolacy . It teaches logical fallacies. The app has quizzes and drills to practice analyzing arguments. It has over seven hundred sample arguments. Foolacy solves the problem to the question:  Why Change Fallacies? It offers various levels of difficulty and includes themes such as Cherry Picking, Out of Context, Common Sense, Herd Mentality and Scare Tactics.  There are many more areas to explore.

What is fact and what is opinion? FactOpy provides a straightforward way to quiz your brain about how easily you can determine fact from opinion. One might think that FacOpy would not be a challenge for adults.  However, in today’s world of divided opinions and conspiracy therapies it is a good test for any age. It is a simple, yet powerful tool to help us develop our critical thinking skills, as well as teach younger minds.

While brain games are common for the development of children of all ages, it is not so clear how to teach critical thinking.   There are limited resources in this area, so these apps fill a great gap for teacher, as well as parents. It may also be beneficial to know what a child’s IQ score is, but a child’s IQ, even if lower than other, does not preclude anyone from learning critical thinking skills.

These learning apps were created by David Hundsness from Jupiter Ed .  He is also the founder of the Critical Thinking Project.

The Critical Thinking Project

Critical thinking is very important to make better decisions and to tell when someone is trying to manipulate us, such as a politician, salesman or ads in apps .  But how exactly do we teach that?  Skills in other subjects are clearly defined.  For example, in math you start with counting and work your way up.  However, the building blocks for critical thinking seem unclear. It’s not as simple as starting with a discussion with the goal of arriving at critical thinking, especially when you have a classroom of students – all with their own unique sets of preconceived notions.

The critical thinking and logical fallacies teaching featured in the Foolacy and FactOpy apps feature specific skills to help teach these concepts.

Critical thinking skills include;

  • Correlation versus causation
  • Assessing credibility and bias
  • Understanding logical fallacies
  • Detecting deceptive use of statistics
  • Knowing the experimental method versus anecdotal evidence

For more information about critical thinking skills, visit criticalthinkingproject.org .  You’ll find more detail and data about critical thinking, as well as the development of free curriculum apps for specific skills.  The mission of this project is to improve K-12 instruction of critical thinking and logical fallacies. The launching of the learning apps introduced are an excellent way to begin for teachers in school and parents at home.

Kahoot is another free learning app designed to empower children at home or students in school. Teachers to engage children in a classroom by creating quiz questions. Up to 50 players can join in on the group game.  Paid versions offer additional tools, such as polls, puzzles, multi-select answers and personalized learning options.  Users can also access more learning apps.

Teachers using Kahoot are able to save combine progress monitoring with powerful play using technology that saves time. Simply find a Kahoot on the Discover page to use with students.  From there you can customize for your classroom.

There are also apps on the platform to advance math learning, learning to read through play, as well as language learning. Critical thinking skills can also be developed when students are allowed to create their own Kahoots.  Want to learn more about additional learning games .

Facts and Opinions

This video helps us understand the difference between facts and opinions. It’s also important to learn how to apply this knowldge.

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top free critical thinking apps

8 Best Free Brain Training Apps for a Sharp Mind

top free critical thinking apps

Modern day living is often characterized by insurmountable pressure at home, work, or school. Too much pressure often leads to stress, which can have adverse effects on your wellbeing. The good news is there are numerous wonderful brain training apps to use on your phone and achieve a sharp stress-free mind. Additionally, the apps come with other added benefits: they boost confidence, improve problem-solving, and help increase your attention span.

Here are a few top-notch apps to help you balance your mental health:

This app comes with games that help improve your memory, attention span, problem-solving capabilities, and critical thinking. It features three games in each session, which changes every so often to challenge your brain. The fun part comes as you try to complete the game while racing against the clock. Lumosity is available on iOS and Android.

Clockwork Brain Training

This app is designed to help enhance your memory, reasoning, attention, language, and dexterity. It features 17 amusing but challenging quick puzzle games that get progressively challenging as you move along. If you train regularly, you can amass enough tokens to unlock unique Game Modes and Upgrades. The app comes with detailed weekly and monthly graphs for tracking progress. This app is available on Android.

Peak is one of the slickest brain training apps ideal for boosting attention, memory, language, and mental agility. It features 30 games to play in total with enough variety to prevent it from being monotonous. Peak works on iOS and Android devices.

Elevate features clear visuals and simple mini games to test your wits against the App Test Memory. It enhances your math, focus, comprehension, attention, and other mental skills. With this app, you can log in regularly to track your streaks using its calendar. As you become more skilled, you should try the more challenging levels. Elevate is both iOS and Android app.

Brainwell Mind-Brain Training

This app challenges you to improve your language, memory, attention, visual, and problem-solving skills with a daily workout that features 3 personalized games. You can play one game a day from a pool of 50 games developed by neuropsychologists, neuroscientists, and game designer experts. You will also access performance tracking that measures progress using tests and quizzes. You can use the app on iOS and Android devices.

King of Math

King of Math is an ideal app to improve your problem-solving skills. The app can help you with addition and subtraction skills using a fast-paced but fun math game. King of Math is available on both iOS and Android.

Curiosity uses original articles and videos to make you smarter. The app nudges you to provide answers to some of life's most profound mysteries, puzzles, and quizzes. Once you have answers, you can share them with friends over social media. Curiosity is available on both iOS and Android.

Vocabulary Builder from Magoosh

This app will undoubtedly help you improve your vocabulary so that you sound smarter. It was developed by online test prep company Magoosh. The app will help you learn 1200 critical words with their meanings and examples in sentences. Vocabulary Builder is available on both iOS and Android.

Key Takeaway

It is never too late or early to train your brain and improve your intelligence and cognitive abilities. If you genuinely want to become smarter, it is going to take some time and hard work. Luckily with the apps featured on this piece, you are sure to benefit from improved cognitive skills that help you deal with financial stress.

If you are burdened with high amounts of credit card debt and are struggling to make your payments, or you’re just not seeing your balances go down, call Timberline Financial today for a free financial analysis.

Our team of highly skilled professionals will evaluate your current situation to see if you may qualify for one of our debt relief programs. You don’t have to struggle with high-interest credit card debt any longer.

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Critical Thinking Concepts

top free critical thinking apps

Download on the

Engage with potent strategies and elevate your decision-making skills today!

As an interactive and engaging study companion, the Critical Thinking Concepts iOS mobile app unveils the core concepts, essential methods, and nuanced terminology central to critical thinking. Whether you're a student diving into the intellectual depths or a professional seeking to sharpen your skills, Critical Thinking Concepts serves as your ultimate guide.

top free critical thinking apps

top free critical thinking apps

Why BrainGymmer?

Turning science into fun.

Together with neuroscientists, our team transforms science based exercises into fun and challenging games for the brain!

Training your brain without any effort

Ten minutes a day is all it takes to keep your brain in shape, just like sports strengthens your body!

Notice the effect in everyday life

Improve your day-to-day cognitive skills like facial recognition, concentration, math, short-term memory and much more!

Brain training games for all cognitive skills

Your brain has an enormous range of abilities, which can be divided in five major cognitive skills. Our brain games challenge you to exercise these skills

All brain games are based on trusted psychological tasks and tests. So use our free brain games to improve your memory, attention, thinking speed, perception and logical reasoning!

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What others say about us

Nice probably the best free brain games that i've tried, i really noticed the difference since i started doing online brain training, i wanted to find games to improve concentration and found them in braingymmer, fair amount of brain games for adults that work on my phone as well, pretty good brain games for adults, 'i like the brain training exercises, it is becoming easier for me to remember names and places etc.', what people often ask us, what is brain training.

Brain training, is the usage of digital exercises, also called brain games. Those exercises are used to stimulate mental activities with the purpose of improving your cognitive abilities.

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Brain games are a very new science, and many researchers are still discovering the effects. While tens of millions of people world wide are using brain games, scientific results are still very much in the process of being discovered. Currently we support a variety of international universities in their studies.

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top free critical thinking apps

Brain training apps: free, for adults

Brain training apps: free, for adults

Just as we exercise our body's muscles, we can exercise our brain to have greater mental agility, and be more efficient and creative. Nowadays, technology offers different applications that can help you work on skills such as memory, logic, concentration, critical thinking, problem-solving and more. Whether in your free time or on your way to work, you can play and have fun whilst training your brain and promoting its neuroplasticity. Here are the best brain training apps.

Thanks to CogniFit, you can train your mind through interactive games, puzzles, exercises, tests and scientifically validated challenges that allow you to stimulate skills such as your attention, concentration, memory, mental agility, coordination and reasoning , among others. After evaluating your skills, the app creates a personalized training, which you can follow daily. CogniFit was developed for children and adults by neuroscience experts and the app can help determine cognitive impairments. You can access some games for free, and if you are interested, the full version of its patented technology is available for $19.99 per month.

top free critical thinking apps

You can download CogniFit for Android here and here for iOS devices.

With more than 100 million users, Lumosity offers free mental training to strengthen cognitive skills such as logic, memory, critical thinking and problem solving . The app makes an initial diagnosis to have a starting point and offer you a personalized program. The free version of the app allows you to access a basic training, while the premium version gives you the possibility to follow a specialized one and access the analysis of your performance and tips to improve. The subscription costs $11.99 per month.

top free critical thinking apps

You can download Lumosity for Android here and here for iOS devices.

Elevate adapts to the user at every stage of the games and focuses on helping you to improve your attention span, speaking, memory, mental agility, math skills , and more. Each person can access a personalized brain training program and it is recommended to follow it at least 3 times a week. This app is distinguished by its focus on linguistic competence , as it features fun vocabulary and diction activities. The Elevate exercises were developed in collaboration with experts in cognitive learning and neuroscience. This app offers you a free basic version, as well as a yearly subscription for $27.99 after a 7-day free trial.

top free critical thinking apps

You can download Elevate for Android here and here for iPhone and iPad.

If you're looking to have fun with logic games, the Skillz app is made specially for you. Its activities challenge and help you enhance skills such as memory, accuracy, speed, color coordination, sense of reflection and more. Skillz offers different levels of difficulty, personalized cognitive training and statistics related to your performance. The application has advertising in it, so it allows it to be free .

top free critical thinking apps

You can download Skillz for Android here and here for iOS.

Peak offers a fun mind training through free games that test your memory, mental agility, problem solving, concentration, creativity, coordination and language skills . In addition, something quite special about Peak is that it also offers relaxation and emotion control activities. With this free app, you can compete with your friends and compare your performance and strengths with theirs. According to the developers of Peak, the app was designed with the advice of experts in neuroscience, cognitive sciences and education.

top free critical thinking apps

You can download Peak for Android here and here for iOS.

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Pursuing a History Degree: Everything You Need to Know

Amazon forecasts q3 revenue below estimates and reports slowing online stores sales growth of 5% yoy in q2, vs. a growth of 7% in q1; amzn drops 6%+ after hours (reuters), net neutrality deja vu: the biden administration’s attempt to regulate broadband giants was just blocked in court—again, there are 2,000-plus dead rockets in orbit—here’s a rare view of one, nasa says it is “evaluating all options” for the safe return of starliner crew, troubling bird flu study suggests human cases are going undetected, who are the two major hackers russia just received in a prisoner swap, us progressives push for nvidia antitrust investigation, rand paul: kosa is not the solution for protecting children from social media, we had an ai attempt to make a data-driven story like we do at the pudding, stem apps, tools and resources for higher order thinking that we love.

top free critical thinking apps

Higher order thinking is a critical skill that students need to learn before they venture out into the real world. To be successful outside of the classroom, students must learn to evaluate the information in front of them and solve problems creatively. Educators have several tools at their disposal to help students learn this all-important skill, but edtech might be able to play a pivotal role.

The right apps, online tools, and resources can contribute to significant growth in areas related to critical thinking, especially in subjects like STEM. Are you looking for STEM apps, tools, and resources that you can use with your students? If so, we have you covered. Here are a few of the most prominent STEM apps, tools, and resources that educators can use to help their students learn to think. Let us know if there are any that we missed.

SyncBlasts for Science – This app is a standards-driven, supplemental offering by StudySync that features daily, engaging, inquiry-based reading and writing assignments with rich multimedia that delve into scientific research and discoveries through a contemporary lens. Students utilize a social media-like platform to share and discuss their unique thoughts around each SyncBlast topic, fostering academic inquiry and conversation. New SynchBlasts are published each school day, ensuring relevant, current topics and a consistently growing library of content available. 

For more information, go to:

https://www.studysync.com/products/SyncBlast

https://www.studysync.com/free-trial

A is for Amphibians – Children can have fun playing with frogs without getting dirty on the A is for Amphibians game for children between the ages of 5 and 8. This app contains STEM-based vocabulary and 3-D pictures to feed children’s curiosity about the world around them. The app comes free with a limited time offer of no in-app purchases.

CellEnergy Photosynthesis Labs – This app brings life to the process of learning about photosynthesis and cellular respiration. It uses life science themes such as Capture Light, or Break Water to engage students using a simple drag and drop technology to match labels and pictures to diagrams. The engaging gameplay allows children to grow their favorite snack’s key ingredient. Teachers can also track and manage students using the Andamio dashboard. Useful for high school and middle school students.

LEGO Education – LEGO Education has been working for over 37 years to find new and fun ways to encourage education among young children. From tangible to virtual, they offer resources to make learning interactive and rewarding and allow children to learn how they want. With the LEGO system for playful learning, preschool to middle school students will get a better approach to science, technology, engineering, and math fields (STEM).

LittleBits Electronics – LittleBits Electronics encourages creativity and inquisitiveness in young ones to help them in their future. Using technology and electronic techniques, LittleBits has over 10 kits and 70 operable “Bits” to allow your child to create and play with endless possibilities. Children will learn lots about robotics and how to build things from scratch. They will also learn the basics of electronic components, powering, how things interact with one another to create an end-product, and much more. This app will also enhance their knowledge of STEM field mechanics.

Minecraft: Education Edition – This version of Minecraft will help you learn. Whether computer science, wilderness conservation, chemistry, coding, math, STEM topics, and more, you can learn educational topics the fun way. If you love Minecraft, you will surely love this version.

Morphi – Morphi is an app that allows you to create 3-D models that can – be printed into real tangible objects. Using visualization, innovation, creativity, prototypes, and education, create your best models today. Morphi can also be used as a starting place to learn any STEAM subject, stop motion animation, product or graphic design, or for Maker education. One version of Morphi is free, and volume purchases are available.

Querium Corporation – Querium uses AI in their company to help students with STEM skills so they can be ready for further studies at high schools, colleges, and universities. The Querium platform delivers personalized bite-sized lessons and step-by-step tutoring assistance. Its personalized program is called StepWise, and it works on smartphones and computers. The company uses artificial intelligence for STEM (math, engineering, technology, and science education) applications. The app’s cognitive assistant helps students as they come across obstacles.

robots4STEM – In its bid to promote diversification and make education more inclusive, RoboKind created robots4STEM, a visual programming platform that provides students with the foundational knowledge required for computer science development. It uses a drag-and-drop programming system to teach students the logic of programming while they control Jett, a facially expressive, responsive, humanoid robot. It allows students to learn visual programming using a customized avatar and Jett, a technologically improved, facially expressive robot.

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What Kamala Harris has said so far on key issues in her campaign

As she ramps up her nascent presidential campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris is revealing how she will address the key issues facing the nation.

In speeches and rallies, she has voiced support for continuing many of President Joe Biden’s measures, such as lowering drug costs , forgiving student loan debt and eliminating so-called junk fees. But Harris has made it clear that she has her own views on some key matters, particularly Israel’s treatment of Gazans in its war with Hamas.

In a departure from her presidential run in 2020, the Harris campaign has confirmed that she’s moved away from many of her more progressive stances, such as her interest in a single-payer health insurance system and a ban on fracking.

Harris is also expected to put her own stamp and style on matters ranging from abortion to the economy to immigration, as she aims to walk a fine line of taking credit for the administration’s accomplishments while not being jointly blamed by voters for its shortcomings.

Her early presidential campaign speeches have offered insights into her priorities, though she’s mainly voiced general talking points and has yet to release more nuanced plans. Like Biden, she intends to contrast her vision for America with that of former President Donald Trump. ( See Trump’s campaign promises here .)

“In this moment, I believe we face a choice between two different visions for our nation: one focused on the future, the other focused on the past,” she told members of the historically Black sorority Zeta Phi Beta at an event in Indianapolis in late July. “And with your support, I am fighting for our nation’s future.”

Here’s what we know about Harris’ views:

Harris took on the lead role of championing abortion rights for the administration after Roe v. Wade was overturned in June 2022. This past January, she started a “ reproductive freedoms tour ” to multiple states, including a stop in Minnesota thought to be the first by a sitting US president or vice president at an abortion clinic .

On abortion access, Harris embraced more progressive policies than Biden in the 2020 campaign, as a candidate criticizing his previous support for the Hyde Amendment , a measure that blocks federal funds from being used for most abortions.

Policy experts suggested that although Harris’ current policies on abortion and reproductive rights may not differ significantly from Biden’s, as a result of her national tour and her own focus on maternal health , she may be a stronger messenger.

High prices are a top concern for many Americans who are struggling to afford the cost of living after a spell of steep inflation. Many voters give Biden poor marks for his handling of the economy, and Harris may also face their wrath.

In her early campaign speeches, Harris has echoed many of the same themes as Biden, saying she wants to give Americans more opportunities to get ahead. She’s particularly concerned about making care – health care, child care, elder care and family leave – more affordable and available.

Harris promised at a late July rally to continue the Biden administration’s drive to eliminate so-called “junk fees” and to fully disclose all charges, such as for events, lodging and car rentals. In early August, the administration proposed a rule that would ban airlines from charging parents extra fees to have their kids sit next to them.

On day one, I will take on price gouging and bring down costs. We will ban more of those hidden fees and surprise late charges that banks and other companies use to pad their profits.”

Since becoming vice president, Harris has taken more moderate positions, but a look at her 2020 campaign promises reveals a more progressive bent than Biden.

As a senator and 2020 presidential candidate, Harris proposed providing middle-class and working families with a refundable tax credit of up to $6,000 a year (per couple) to help keep up with living expenses. Titled the LIFT the Middle Class Act, or Livable Incomes for Families Today, the measure would have cost at the time an estimated $3 trillion over 10 years.

Unlike a typical tax credit, the bill would allow taxpayers to receive the benefit – up to $500 – on a monthly basis so families don’t have to turn to payday loans with very high interest rates.

As a presidential candidate, Harris also advocated for raising the corporate income tax rate to 35%, where it was before the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act that Trump and congressional Republicans pushed through Congress reduced the rate to 21%. That’s higher than the 28% Biden has proposed.

Affordable housing was also on Harris’ radar. As a senator, she introduced the Rent Relief Act, which would establish a refundable tax credit for renters who annually spend more than 30% of their gross income on rent and utilities. The amount of the credit would range from 25% to 100% of the excess rent, depending on the renter’s income.

Harris called housing a human right and said in a 2019 news release on the bill that every American deserves to have basic security and dignity in their own home.

Consumer debt

Hefty debt loads, which weigh on people’s finances and hurt their ability to buy homes, get car loans or start small businesses, are also an area of interest to Harris.

As vice president, she has promoted the Biden administration’s initiatives on student debt, which have so far forgiven more than $168 billion for nearly 4.8 million borrowers . In mid-July, Harris said in a post on X that “nearly 950,000 public servants have benefitted” from student debt forgiveness, compared with only 7,000 when Biden was inaugurated.

A potential Harris administration could keep that momentum going – though some of Biden’s efforts have gotten tangled up in litigation, such as a program aimed at cutting monthly student loan payments for roughly 3 million borrowers enrolled in a repayment plan the administration implemented last year.

The vice president has also been a leader in the White House efforts to ban medical debt from credit reports, noting that those with medical debt are no less likely to repay a loan than those who don’t have unpaid medical bills.

In a late July statement praising North Carolina’s move to relieve the medical debt of about 2 million residents, Harris said that she is “committed to continuing to relieve the burden of medical debt and creating a future where every person has the opportunity to build wealth and thrive.”

Health care

Harris, who has had shifting stances on health care in the past, confirmed in late July through her campaign that she no longer supports a single-payer health care system .

During her 2020 campaign, Harris advocated for shifting the US to a government-backed health insurance system but stopped short of wanting to completely eliminate private insurance.

The measure called for transitioning to a Medicare-for-All-type system over 10 years but continuing to allow private insurance companies to offer Medicare plans.

The proposal would not have raised taxes on the middle class to pay for the coverage expansion. Instead, it would raise the needed funds by taxing Wall Street trades and transactions and changing the taxation of offshore corporate income.

When it comes to reducing drug costs, Harris previously proposed allowing the federal government to set “a fair price” for any drug sold at a cheaper price in any economically comparable country, including Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Japan or Australia. If manufacturers were found to be price gouging, the government could import their drugs from abroad or, in egregious cases, use its existing but never-used “march-in” authority to license a drug company’s patent to a rival that would produce the medication at a lower cost.

Harris has been a champion on climate and environmental justice for decades. As California’s attorney general, Harris sued big oil companies like BP and ConocoPhillips, and investigated Exxon Mobil for its role in climate change disinformation. While in the Senate, she sponsored the Green New Deal resolution.

During her 2020 campaign, she enthusiastically supported a ban on fracking — but a Harris campaign official said in late July that she no longer supports such a ban.

Fracking is the process of using liquid to free natural gas from rock formations – and the primary mode for extracting gas for energy in battleground Pennsylvania. During a September 2019 climate crisis town hall hosted by CNN, she said she would start “with what we can do on Day 1 around public lands.” She walked that back later when she became Biden’s running mate.

Biden has been the most pro-climate president in history, and climate advocates find Harris to be an exciting candidate in her own right. Democrats and climate activists are planning to campaign on the stark contrasts between Harris and Trump , who vowed to push America decisively back to fossil fuels, promising to unwind Biden’s climate and clean energy legacy and pull America out of its global climate commitments.

If elected, one of the biggest climate goals Harris would have to craft early in her administration is how much the US would reduce its climate pollution by 2035 – a requirement of the Paris climate agreement .

Immigration

Harris has quickly started trying to counter Trump’s attacks on her immigration record.

Her campaign released a video in late July citing Harris’ support for increasing the number of Border Patrol agents and Trump’s successful push to scuttle a bipartisan immigration deal that included some of the toughest border security measures in recent memory.

The vice president has changed her position on border control since her 2020 campaign, when she suggested that Democrats needed to “critically examine” the role of Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, after being asked whether she sided with those in the party arguing to abolish the department.

In June of this year, the White House announced a crackdown on asylum claims meant to continue reducing crossings at the US-Mexico border – a policy that Harris’ campaign manager, Julie Chavez Rodriguez, indicated in late July to CBS News would continue under a Harris administration.

Trump’s attacks stem from Biden having tasked Harris with overseeing diplomatic efforts in Central America in March 2021. While Harris focused on long-term fixes, the Department of Homeland Security remained responsible for overseeing border security.

She has only occasionally talked about her efforts as the situation along the US-Mexico border became a political vulnerability for Biden. But she put her own stamp on the administration’s efforts, engaging the private sector.

Harris pulled together the Partnership for Central America, which has acted as a liaison between companies and the US government. Her team and the partnership are closely coordinating on initiatives that have led to job creation in the region. Harris has also engaged directly with foreign leaders in the region.

Experts credit Harris’ ability to secure private-sector investments as her most visible action in the region to date but have cautioned about the long-term durability of those investments.

Israel-Hamas

The Israel-Hamas war is the most fraught foreign policy issue facing the country and has spurred a multitude of protests around the US since it began in October.

After meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in late July, Harris gave a forceful and notable speech about the situation in Gaza.

We cannot look away in the face of these tragedies. We cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering. And I will not be silent.”

Harris echoed Biden’s repeated comments about the “ironclad support” and “unwavering commitment” to Israel. The country has a right to defend itself, she said, while noting, “how it does so, matters.”

However, the empathy she expressed regarding the Palestinian plight and suffering was far more forceful than what Biden has said on the matter in recent months. Harris mentioned twice the “serious concern” she expressed to Netanyahu about the civilian deaths in Gaza, the humanitarian situation and destruction she called “catastrophic” and “devastating.”

She went on to describe “the images of dead children and desperate hungry people fleeing for safety, sometimes displaced for the second, third or fourth time.”

Harris emphasized the need to get the Israeli hostages back from Hamas captivity, naming the eight Israeli-American hostages – three of whom have been killed.

But when describing the ceasefire deal in the works, she didn’t highlight the hostage for prisoner exchange or aid to be let into Gaza. Instead, she singled out the fact that the deal stipulates the withdrawal by the Israeli military from populated areas in the first phase before withdrawing “entirely” from Gaza before “a permanent end to the hostilities.”

Harris didn’t preside over Netanyahu’s speech to Congress in late July, instead choosing to stick with a prescheduled trip to a sorority event in Indiana.

Harris is committed to supporting Ukraine in its fight against Russian aggression, having met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at least six times and announcing last month $1.5 billion for energy assistance, humanitarian needs and other aid for the war-torn country.

At the Munich Security Conference earlier this year, Harris said: “I will make clear President Joe Biden and I stand with Ukraine. In partnership with supportive, bipartisan majorities in both houses of the United States Congress, we will work to secure critical weapons and resources that Ukraine so badly needs. And let me be clear: The failure to do so would be a gift to Vladimir Putin.”

More broadly, NATO is central to our approach to global security. For President Biden and me, our sacred commitment to NATO remains ironclad. And I do believe, as I have said before, NATO is the greatest military alliance the world has ever known.”

Police funding

The Harris campaign has also walked back the “defund the police” sentiment that Harris voiced in 2020. What she meant is she supports being “tough and smart on crime,” Mitch Landrieu, national co-chair for the Harris campaign and former mayor of New Orleans, told CNN’s Pamela Brown in late July.

In the midst of nationwide 2020 protests sparked by George Floyd’s murder by a Minneapolis police officer, Harris voiced support for the “defund the police” movement, which argues for redirecting funds from law enforcement to social services. Throughout that summer, Harris supported the movement and called for demilitarizing police departments.

Democrats largely backed away from calls to defund the police after Republicans attempted to tie the movement to increases in crime during the 2022 midterm elections.

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    Fracking is the process of using liquid to free natural gas from rock formations - and the primary mode for extracting gas for energy in battleground Pennsylvania.