scholarly journals Redesigning a General Education Science Course to Promote Critical Thinking

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. ar30 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthew P. Rowe ◽  
B. Marcus Gillespie ◽  
Kevin R. Harris ◽  
Steven D. Koether ◽  
Li-Jen Y. Shannon ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
General Education ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
University Curriculum ◽  
Logical Fallacies ◽  
Scientific Facts ◽  
Education Science ◽  
Scientific Ideas

Recent studies question the effectiveness of a traditional university curriculum in helping students improve their critical thinking and scientific literacy. We developed an introductory, general education (gen ed) science course to overcome both deficiencies. The course, titled Foundations of Science, differs from most gen ed science offerings in that it is interdisciplinary; emphasizes the nature of science along with, rather than primarily, the findings of science; incorporates case studies, such as the vaccine-autism controversy; teaches the basics of argumentation and logical fallacies; contrasts science with pseudoscience; and addresses psychological factors that might otherwise lead students to reject scientific ideas they find uncomfortable. Using a pretest versus posttest design, we show that students who completed the experimental course significantly improved their critical-thinking skills and were more willing to engage scientific theories the general public finds controversial (e.g., evolution), while students who completed a traditional gen ed science course did not. Our results demonstrate that a gen ed science course emphasizing the process and application of science rather than just scientific facts can lead to improved critical thinking and scientific literacy.

Assessing general education learning outcomes at Qatar University

2016 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 159-176 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shaikha Bint Jabor Al-Thani ◽  
Ali Abdelmoneim ◽  
Adel Cherif ◽  
Dalal Moukarzel ◽  
Khaled Daoud
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
General Education ◽  
Education Program ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Content Type ◽  
English Writing ◽  
Internal Assessment ◽  
Education Outcomes

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to assess the effectiveness of a new general education program at Qatar University (QU) in achieving English writing and critical thinking outcomes. Design/methodology/approach – Collegiate Assessment of Academic Proficiency (CAAP) test was used as direct assessment tool to identify the extent to which QU students are making progress with respect to general education outcomes, and how well QU students perform compared to US students on general education outcomes that are measured by the CAAP test. Findings – Findings show evidence that students make progress in English and critical thinking during their QU educational careers. However, QU students lag well behind their US counterparts in writing skills, but they performed relatively better in critical thinking and essay writing. Research limitations/implications – The sample of students tested was limited to students who met certain criteria. Therefore, the sample was neither representative nor random and does not reflect the performance of the entire student body. English is a second language for most QU students, and cultural differences as well as students’ high school preparation and quality of faculty at QU add to the complexity of the study. Practical implications – Research finding may have implication on the general education program curriculum plan, assessment process, assessment plan and tools. It may also trigger comprehensive review of courses addressing writing and critical thinking skills. Moreover, the findings will have impact on institutional total approach and support to retain and enhance some of the cornerstone skills that general education program promise to achieve. The pilot study, results and findings can have implications on similar GCC general educations programs that focus on English writing and critical thinking skills. Originality/value – This original pilot study indicates a need for improvement of internal assessment processes and reconsideration of general education program courses contributing to skills examined. It also provides evidence on students’ performance on two important generic skills, both are important for QU and its stakeholders. The study’s findings are of broad interest to assess the efficacy of internal assessment at international institutions using an internationally available standardized test.

scholarly journals Merunut Pemahaman Taksonomi Bloom: Suatu Kontemplasi Filosofis

Humaniora ◽  
2010 ◽  
Vol 1 (2) ◽  
pp. 359
Author(s):  
Dominikus Tulasi
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
General Education ◽  
Student Behavior ◽  
Empirical Evaluation ◽  
Bloom's Taxonomy ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Student Centered Learning ◽  
Bloom’S Taxonomy ◽  
Teaching Learning

This article would like to share the use of Bloom's taxonomy as a cognitive framework for teaching-learning process to undertake the way student-centered learning. Related to the curriculum based competence in excellent education, the abstract cognitive in applying Bloom’s taxonomy is so called scaffolding. We know the taxonomy Bloom is a six-level classification system that uses observed student behavior to infer and absorb the level of cognitive achievement domain. This article surveys thinking within general education and management education, which uses and draws on Bloom's taxonomy, and then describes suggested uses of the taxonomy. The empirical evaluation of its effect on student achievement follows, as do thoughts about ways colleagues might use this tool to empower and motivate students as self-responsible learners in the classroom. The objective is to promote higher order thinking in college students, we understood an effort to learn how to assess critical-thinking skills in an introductory course. It means, we develop a process by which questions are prepared with both content and critical-thinking skills in mind. 

scholarly journals The Practicality of Teaching Materials on Types of Crab in the Mangrove Forest Area to Improve Critical Thinking Skills for Islamic High School Students

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 18
Author(s):  
Nahri Fauzan ◽  
Mochamad Arief Soendjoto ◽  
Muhammad Zaini
Keyword(s):  
High School Students ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Mangrove Ecosystem ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Teaching Materials ◽  
School Students ◽  
Roles And Responsibilities ◽  
Good Improvement

The crab is an organism that has pe a major role in the mangrove ecosystem. The preservation of the mangrove ecosystem cannot be separated from the roles and responsibilities of humans. This can be started by creating awareness and practicing thinking skills to provide solutions to various existing environmental problems. According to the results of the TIMSS study, the low scientific ability of Indonesian students, especially its implementation in the form of scientific literacy, has not shown a good improvement so that learning innovations are needed, one of which is the manufacture of environment-based teaching materials. The purpose of this study was to describe the practicality of the teaching materials "Crab Types in the Mangroves Area" in training students' critical thinking skills at MAN Tanah Laut. The type of research used is the Tessmer formative test. The research data were analyzed descriptively, practical data included the feasibility of using teaching material and student responses, indicating that the teaching materials developed were practical for use in learning and could improve the critical thinking skills of MA students.Abstrak Kepiting merupakan organisme yang memiliki peran besar dalam ekosistem mangrof. Kelestarian ekosistem mangrof tidak luput dari peran dan tanggung jawab manusia. Hal ini dapat dimulai dari menciptakan kesadaran dan melatih keterampilan berpikir agar dapat memberikan solusi-solusi dari berbagai permasalahan lingkungan yang ada.  Hasil studi TIMSS menunjukkan rendahnya kemampuan sains siswa Indonesia terutama implementasinya dalam bentuk literasi sains belum menunjukkan adanya peningkatan yang baik sehingga diperlukan inovasi pembelajaran salah satunya dengan pembuatan bahan ajar berbasis lingkungan. Tujuan penelitian ini adalah untuk mendeskripsikan kepraktisan Bahan Ajar “Jenis Kepiting di Kawasan Mangrof” dalam melatihkan keterampilan berpikir kritis siswa MAN Tanah Laut. Jenis penelitian yang digunakan adalah uji formatif Tessmer. Data hasil penelitian dianalisis secara deskriptif, data kepraktisan meliputi kepraktisan penggunaan bahan ajar dan respon siswa, menunjukkan bahwa bahan ajar yang dikembangkan praktis untuk digunakan dalam pembelajaran dan dapat meningkatkan kemampuan berpikir kritis siswa MA.

scholarly journals Outcome Assessment of General Education 21st Century Competency Skills: Close the Loop Efforts in the United States

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nhung Thi Tuyet Pham
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
General Education ◽  
Student Learning ◽  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Quantitative Literacy ◽  
Comprehensive University ◽  
The University

Over the past several years, various stakeholders have continued to express concerns about the quality of U.S. higher education. Under the accountability and transparency pressures, institutions must provide evidence of student learning, especially the value of general education programs upon graduation. Therefore, a case study at a U.S. comprehensive university was conducted to assess five general education competency skills (written, oral, quantitative literacy, critical thinking and information literacy). To facilitate “close the loop” conversations with faculty and committees, in addition to descriptive analysis, the university disaggregated the assessment data in a non-traditional way by examining the relationship of student factors (race, year and college) and student learning. The researcher used ANCOVA and ANOVA to identify significant differences. Results indicated year and race were related to student outcomes, except for critical thinking skills. The researcher provided suggestions for use of the study’s findings to close the loop in the general education program.

scholarly journals Enhancement of Professional Behaviours and Perceptions of Critical Skill Job Preparedness through the Use of a Group Work Contract in Fourth-Year Nutritional Science Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 27
Author(s):  
Nadia M Cartwright ◽  
Payal Patil ◽  
Danyelle M Liddle ◽  
Genevieve Newton ◽  
Jennifer M Monk
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Group Dynamics ◽  
Group Work ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Collaborative Group ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Nutritional Science ◽  
Work Contract

Collaborative group assignments in undergraduate education are important for promoting skill development and preparation for the workplace; however, they are subject to the challenges associated with group dynamics. We determined the effectiveness of a Group Work Contract to facilitate professional behaviours and positive experiences amongst fourth year nutritional science students (n=144) while working collaboratively to complete a Group Literature Critique Assignment designed to promote scientific literacy and critical thinking skills. Changes in students’ attitudes and approaches to group work were assessed before and after completion of the contract and the assignment via two online surveys (Pre- and Post-Group Work Surveys). Completion of the Group Work Contract improved group dynamics including i) frequency of communication, ii) distribution of effort between group members, iii) mutual reliability, iv) respectfulness and inclusivity. Students also reported fewer group problems and an improved ability to work collaboratively in problem solving (P<0.05). Importantly, students reported reduced feelings of anxiety related to group learning and perceptions of achieving a better outcome versus working alone and learning more as a result of working in a group (P<0.05). Additionally, students reported an improvement in their job readiness perceptions with respect to the development of their scientific literacy and critical thinking skills as a result of completing the Group Literature Critique Assignment (P<0.05). Collectively, this data demonstrates that structuring the group work process through the implementation of a Group Work Contract can support the development of positive and effective group dynamics resulting in reduced student anxiety about collaborative learning and perception of a better overall outcome.

scholarly journals The Effect of Inquiry Learning Model And Scientific Literacy Toward Students’ Critical Thinking Skills In Primary School

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (3) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nia Devi Anggraini ◽  
I Made Astra ◽  
Erry Utomo
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Inquiry Learning ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Guided Inquiry ◽  
Tukey Test

The aim of this study is to determine the effect of Inquiry Learning Model and Scientific Literacy toward students’ Critical Thinking Skills in Primary School. This Study was Conducted at SD Islam Al-Ikhwan Tangerang in Fifth Graders. The True Experiment Method with Two Way Anava design (treatment by level 2x2) was implemented in this study. 40 students as the sample was selected by simple random sampling. Students in experimental group were learned through Inkuiri Mandiri model. Meanwhile, in control group, students were learned through Guided Inquiry. Based on data analysis, it was obtained: (1) the student’s critical thinking skills given by Inkuiri Mandiri Model is higher than Guided Inquiry, as evidenced by Fcount (10.93) > Ftable (4.10 ); (2) there is influence of interaction between learning models and scientific literacy toward student’s critical thinking skills, this can be seen from the acquisition price of Fcount (58.926) > Ftable (4.10); (3) student’s critical thinking skills given Inkuiri mandiri Model is higher than Guided Inquiry in group of students with high scientific literacy, with the Tukey-test Qcount Test (10.986) > Qtable (4.33); and (4) student’s critical thinking skills given Inkuiri Mandiri Model is lower than Guided Inquiry in group of students who have low scientific literacy, with the Tukey-test Qcount Test (4.369) > Qtable (4.33).

scholarly journals The Effects of Problem-Based Learning on Critical Thinking Skills and Student Science Literacy

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 31
Author(s):  
Suhirman Suhirman ◽  
Husnul Khotimah
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Science Literacy ◽  
Problem Based Learning ◽  
Sampling Technique ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Learning Model ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Control Group Design

This study aimed to describe the effect of problem-based learning on students' critical thinking skills and scientific literacy. This research is a quasi-experimental study with pre-test-post test control group design. Sampling was done by saturated sampling technique in which the experimental class consisted of 35 students and the control class was 34 students. Data on critical thinking skills and student scientific literacy were collected using test instruments which were then analyzed descriptively and statistically. The results showed that the Problem-based Learning model had more effect on students’ critical thinking and scientific literacy (p <0.05) than conventional learning models applied to the control class. Based on the results of the study, it can be concluded that the Problem-based Learning model significantly effect on students’ critical thinking and science literacy in class XI MAN 1 Mataram.

scholarly journals Development of STEAM Media to Improve Critical Thinking Skills and Science Literacy

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 25-34
Author(s):  
Anik Twiningsih ◽  
Evi Elisanti
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Research And Development ◽  
Scientific Literacy ◽  
Science Literacy ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Design Development ◽  
Literacy Class ◽  
The Mean

The objective of this study is to develop STEAM-based learning media (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics) in grade 1 thematic learning to improve critical thinking skills and the culture of scientific literacy in grade 1 students. This media was developed based on the STEAM approach, as the result of the use of media through the syntax of analizing, synthesizing, drawing conclusions, and organizing strategies and tactics. The excellence of this innovative work focuses on improving critical thinking skills and scientific literacy. This type of research is research and development (Research and Development) with ADDIE design (Analysis, Design, Development, Implementation, Evaluation). Based on the results of the study before using STEAM-based colored two-dimensional Figure Mixing media, it was identified that the mean class of students' critical thinking skills was 74.80 and the mean science literacy class was 73.61. After using STEAM-based typewriter media it can be identified that the mean class of students' critical thinking skills was 86.67 and the mean science literacy class was 88.67. The results of this study prove that STEAM-based non-typed media developed can improve students' critical thinking skills so that it has a positive impact on scientific literacy. This study concludes that new learning media developed can improve the activeness of students and ultimately have a positive impact on student learning outcomes.

scholarly journals Critical Thinking in University through a Curriculum-wide Reading and Writing Project

2021 ◽  
pp. 195-236
Author(s):  
James Dunn ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Logical Thinking ◽  
Academic English ◽  
Ministry Of Education ◽  
Reading And Writing ◽  
Writing Project ◽  
Writing Course ◽  
Logical Fallacies

Critical thinking has gained popularity in the English as a foreign language (EFL) educational arena of late in Japan due to the Ministry of Education (MEXT) updating its requirements of English education to include logical thinking. This has caused the need for educators in Japan to quickly adapt to the inclusion of logical thinking, and by extension, critical thinking in their curriculum (MEXT, 2011) from 2013. Even though MEXT has required critical thinking to be included in the classroom, it seems very little has been done to include true critical thinking into textbooks and institutions’ curriculum designs. One crucial component of the language teaching curriculum is the ability to think rationally, objectively, and deeply about a topic, or in other words, to think critically. Critical thinking has been shown to foster students’ abilities to analyze, evaluate, and judge the value of the information presented to them both inside, and outside, the classroom (Lund, 2016). Critical thinking also helps students to make their own decisions related to their academic, and future employment, success (Nold, 2017). In a university-level reading and writing course in Japan, for example, students must create manuscripts at beginner to advanced levels that somewhat adhere to the expectations of academic English communities (Fang & Schleppegrell, 2010) when it comes to topic development and utilizing source information. In order to reflect on, and thereby judge the veracity of, the information presented to them either by their textbook in the classroom or by external sources, critical thinking skills allow students to deconstruct, reflect upon, and assign value to information sources. This also allows them to construct their own content on two levels, one, projecting their creativity as independent thinkers, and two, linguistically as writers who can think about a topic more deeply. The purpose of this paper is to share the planning, design, and implementation of a critical thinking reading and writing project which was introduced into the second-year EFL reading and writing focused courses at Tokai University from the spring and fall semesters of 2019. The reading and writing course, named Academic English (AE), was split into three levels depending upon the students’ performance in their first-year English courses. Each level of the AE course had a project book that was individualized for their corresponding textbook and level. The project’s focus, for all levels, was to develop critical thinking skills through the introduction of reflective thinking, logical fallacies, and research skills. At the end of the project, students were asked to apply their critical thinking skills to their textbook and research the veracity of the information presented to them in one of their required readings during the course. The overall reception of the project by the students was positive and results of a post-project questionnaire showed that students felt they had gained some mastery over critical thinking on subjects both in the classroom and in their lives. The project has seen success in allowing students to become learners who are more independent in their thinking, more critical in their reception to information provided to them, and better writers who are able to think on a topic more deeply and logically.

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