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What is critical thinking?

According to Mahavongtrakul (2020), can critical thinking be effectively taught in a classroom setting? Can its progression be measured? Moreover, how can instructors aid students in navigating the path to independent critical thinking?

Below are some approaches to help and encourage critical thinking:

Collaborative Learning:

This method involves students learning from one another and working together through discussion boards, case studies, role-playing, peer teaching, and group projects. Collaborative learning exposes students to diverse interpretations of information and their peers' experiences and knowledge. This enables them to discuss information, clarify ideas, and evaluate the validity of others' perspectives within a safe and constructive environment.

Higher-Level Thinking Questions:

Engaging students with thought-provoking questions that prompt them to express whether they "agree or di "agree" and explai" "why" can st "mul" te critical thinking. Well-crafted questions challenge students to interpret, analyze, and recognize assumptions before forming conclusions.

Reflective Written Assignments:

Assignments inviting students to apply their experiences to different concepts encourage active participation in their learning and personal development. Through reflections, students can identify the relevance of the information to their lives, question its validity, and seek better sources.

Open-Book Assessments:

Administering assessments that permit students to use notes, textbooks, and other resources fosters genuine engagement with the material instead of mere memorization. By allowing more resources, instructors can pose higher-level questions. Open-book assessments simulate real-world environments, promoting problem-solving skills over mere recall.

While there may be debates regarding its precise definition, critical thinking is undeniably an essential outcome of higher education and is greatly valued by employers. As such, it is incumbent upon instructors to integrate mechanisms for enhancing critical thinking in their students, thereby preparing them for their future endeavors.

References: Mahavongtrakul, M. (2020, March 6). Improving critical thinking skills in college students. UCI The Division of Teaching Excellence and Innovation. https://dtei.uci.edu/2020/03/06/improving-critical-thinking-skills-in-college-students/