scholarly journals Critical Thinking Competence and its Impact on Acquisition of Basic Principles of Enterpreneurship Among Business Students in Latvia

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 (15) ◽  
pp. 47-55
Author(s):  
Iveta Linina ◽  
Velga Vevere
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Information Processing ◽  
Business Education ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
The Self ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
Study Process

Critical thinking is mental process of analysis and evaluation of information. The source of information can be experience, reflection, observation, communication, etc., as well as study process. Business education is based on the ability to navigate the market situation and make informed decisions. The aim of the research is to determine correlation between business students information processing skills according to certain criteria and students’ self-evaluation of their information processing skills. Based on this, the authors of the investigation study the theoretical basis of critical thinking with the monographic or descriptive method, with the help of a questionnaire assess students' ability to critically evaluate the situation and make decisions based on it. This study will provide an understanding the need for critical thinking and its development in the process of business education. Two research questions are put forward: (1) What is the self-assessment of critical thinking skills by the business students? (2) What are the differences between the self-assessment and the assessment according to the proposed criteria? In the result, the authors conclude that by studying the importance of critical thinking in educating business students, it is possible to increase market understanding and decision-making competence for students. Critical thinking is the skills of business students to start a successful business.

scholarly journals Self-Assessment of Critical Thinking Skills in EFL Writing Courses at the University Level: Reconsideration of the Critical Thinking Construct

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arab World English Journal ◽  
Youssef Nadri ◽  
Adil Azhar
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Formative Evaluation ◽  
Evaluation Process ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Two Dimensions ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Assessment Practices ◽  
Metacognitive Skills ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Efl Writing

The Critical Thinking (CT) component has by now secured a key place within EFL curriculum aims and objectives. The integration of a CT dimension into the teaching of the writing skill in particular has received considerable attention in research. However, research has also pointed to the failure of assessment practices to evaluate CT development. It is within this context that the present work advocates a standard based approach to the assessment of CT in EFL writing that aligns assessment criteria to the critical abilities articulated in the learning outcomes (i.e., standards). This fosters a conception of CT measures that associates components of CT with higher order writing skills. Accordingly, the first objective of the study is to empirically test the relationship between CT dispositions and metacognitive strategy use in an attempt to establish a model of writing (self-)assessment that combines these two dimensions. As assessment is viewed as a formative evaluation process subservient of learning, the study also targets the students’ self-assessment strategies during the writing process. To this purpose, a questionnaire has been designed, and administered to 100 students at the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences in Rabat to tap their perceptions and use of CT skills. The data analysis revealed that critical thinking development and assessment are metacognitive in nature; it follows that metacognitive skills such as planning, self-evaluating and reflecting are to be used as an essential vehicle in the development of Critical Thinking skills. This points to the paramount role of CT-informed formative (self-)assessment practices in benefiting ELT writing learners.

scholarly journals The Effectiveness of a Suggested Model for Learning through Projects Based on Shared Learning Using Social Communication Networks in Developing Critical Thinking Skills and Self-Efficiency in PNU Students

2016 ◽  
Vol 10 (3) ◽  
pp. 561
Author(s):  
Wadha H. Al-Otaibi
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Communication Networks ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
The Self ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Suggested Model ◽  
Shared Learning ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Experimental Group

The study aimed at identifying the effectivness of a suggested model for learning through projects based on shared learning in developing critical thinking skills and self-efficiency in Princess Nourah bint Abdularhman University (PNU). The study included a sample of 76 students from the specialization of primary level teachers in PNU randomly chosen, in which 39 students represented the experimental group. This group was taught the course of learning through projects using a suggested model. The other 37 students formed the control group and were taught the course in the conventional teaching manner. The critical thinking test and the self-efficiency scale were both administered before and after the experiment. The study revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in the means between the experimental and control groups in the critical thinking skills test and the self-efficiency sclae in favor of the experimental group. 

scholarly journals Developing critical thinking skills to improve reading comprehension

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 170-178
Author(s):  
María Piedad Rivadeneira-Barreiro
Keyword(s):  
Reading Comprehension ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Teaching Practices ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Self Evaluation ◽  
The Relationship

The aim of this study is to determine the relationship between critical thinking skills and reading comprehension.  Data was collected from treatment sessions, a self-evaluation and a test on critical thinking skills with two groups of learners from a language department at an Ecuadorian university.  The results showed insignificant relation between critical thinking skills and learners' reading comprehension.  The findings also revealed both groups had small differences during the pretest and posttest.  The pretest and posttest showed minimal changes between groups, as well.  Participants’ lack of concentration in texts, the unawareness and scarce use of their critical thinking skills were evidenced in their grammar, syntactic and semantics’ mistakes.  The implications of these findings suggest further research in this area, exploring teaching practices that foster students’ critical thinking skills and reading comprehension.

Fostering Critical Thinking Using Instructional Strategies in English Classes

2019 ◽  
pp. 299-316
Author(s):  
Şenol Orakcı ◽  
Mehmet Durnali ◽  
Osman Aktan
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Learning Strategies ◽  
Language Learners ◽  
Critical Literacy ◽  
English Language ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
English Language Teaching ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
English Classes

The aim of the chapter is to provide both theoretical and practical ideas about critical thinking development within English language teaching contexts. Encouraging language learners to be critical thinkers is important in teaching English as a foreign language. However, achieving the goal remains a challenge. Using various strategies together seem to be effective when properly implemented. Therefore this chapter outlines these strategies which include communicative language tasks, using authentic meaningful texts, using critical literacy, being aware of whole-brain learning, adopting a reflective teaching, enabling students to become autonomous, using explicit instruction, teacher questioning, using active and cooperative learning strategies, using literature in English classes, using creative drama, and adopting self-assessment. Teachers can enable learners to have critical thinking skills and more efficient English lessons by combining these strategies in a new way or by designing critical thinking activities in the classroom.

Accumulation of Content Validation Evidence for the Critical Thinking Self-Assessment Scale

2017 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 156-170 ◽  
Author(s):  
Girija Gopinathan Nair ◽  
Laurie-Ann M. Hellsten ◽  
Lynnette Leeseberg Stamler
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Content Validity ◽  
Cognitive Skills ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Assessment Instrument ◽  
Assessment Scale ◽  
Monitoring Methods ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Content Relevance

Background/Purpose: Critical thinking skills (CTS) are essential for nurses; assessing students’ acquisition of these skills is a mandate of nursing curricula. This study aimed to develop a self-assessment instrument of critical thinking skills (Critical Thinking Self-Assessment Scale [CTSAS]) for students’ self-monitoring. Methods: An initial pool of 196 items across 6 core cognitive skills and 16 subskills were generated using the American Philosophical Association definition of CTS. Experts’ content review of the items and their ratings provided evidence of content relevance using the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) and Aiken’s content validity coefficient (VIk). Results: 115 items were retained (range of I-CVI values = .70 to .94 and range of VIkvalues = .69–.95; significant atp< .05). Conclusion: The CTSAS is the first CTS instrument designed specifically for self-assessment purposes.

scholarly journals Reflexivity as a Vital Skill for Future Researchers and Professionals

2021 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
pp. 14-26
Author(s):  
Anna Kimberley
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Cultural Identity ◽  
International Business ◽  
Narrative Analysis ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Methodological Approach ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Business Professionals ◽  
Story Writing

The emergence of a reflective paradigm in higher education in the last two decades, has been emphasised as a necessary skill both for future business professionals and researchers. The development of these skills should therefore be included in business school curricula. The ability to critically reflect has been identified as a crucial part of employability. This calls for developing pedagogical approaches that will stimulate students’ critical thinking skills, encourage self-review as well as convey practice realities. This paper presents an application of such pedagogical methods applied in a set of course activities aimed specifically at developing reflexivity and self-efficacy of undergraduate business students, within the context of a university of applied sciences. It also demonstrates that the pedagogical solutions applied not only resulted in the desired learning outcomes, but also produced additional benefits to the students. A pedagogical approach was created and incorporated into one semester International Business Communication course taught to undergraduate international business students. It aimed at developing critical thinking skills, and reflexivity. It was incorporated in three activities: (1) introducing the students to the concept of reflexivity (reflecting on reflection), (2) writing reflectively about own cultural identity (reflection in action), (3) story writing and storytelling (reflecting on action). The methodological approach used was qualitative interpretation, and the method applied was narrative analysis of the data generated by reflective narratives created by the students. The findings showed that reflexivity was identified as a new concept, both necessary and helpful in self-development. Reflecting on one’s own cultural identity created different types of awareness, which contributed to developing deeper knowledge about one’s own cultural identity. Reflecting on story writing and storytelling showed the following learning benefits: discovering creative potential, as well as developing confidence in dealing with new, unexpected, and challenging situations. Moreover, the following additional learning benefits were identified: enhanced openness towards the immediate environment, improved understanding of otherness, and the applicability of the above skills for business professionals and researchers.

The Development of the Entrepreneurial Mindset, Critical Thinking Skills, and Critical Reflective Practices Through Experiential Learning Activities in Graduate Business School

2021 ◽  
pp. 210-231
Author(s):  
Sharon E. Norris
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Entrepreneurial Orientation ◽  
Business Students ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Learning Activities ◽  
Global Marketplace ◽  
Effective Performance ◽  
Reflective Skills

The value and relevance of graduate business education is enhanced when students are prepared for ongoing changes in the competitive global marketplace. Some of the most sought-after characteristics among business professionals include the entrepreneurial mindset and entrepreneurial orientation in addition to critical thinking and reflective skills. Individuals with an entrepreneurial mindset use self-leadership strategies. They are creative and possess improvisational abilities. People with an entrepreneurial orientation are innovative and proactive, and they are not risk-averse. Critical thinking skills along with the capacity for critical reflection allows individuals to make effective decisions, consider the consequences of their attitudes and actions, as well as make changes to reset trajectories of effective performance. Experiential learning activities embedded throughout the business curriculum will afford graduate business students the opportunity to develop these skills and competencies and thus equip them for service in organizations in the future.

Balancing Profit and People: Corporate Social Responsibility in Business Education

2017 ◽  
Vol 41 (5) ◽  
pp. 727-749 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Deer ◽  
Jill Zarestky
Keyword(s):  
Corporate Social Responsibility ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Social Responsibility ◽  
Business Education ◽  
Social Problems ◽  
Business Schools ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Bottom Line ◽  
Corporate Social

This qualitative study’s purpose was to evaluate how undergraduate business students’ perspectives, skills, and behaviors evolved through corporate social responsibility (CSR) education taught with a focus on critical thinking and sustainable problem solving. Business schools are struggling to incorporate CSR into their curriculum despite interest from students and pressure from accreditation agencies. This article primarily contributes practical tools for business schools teaching students to apply critical thinking skills and concepts gained through their business education to develop solutions to economic, social, and environmental problems. Instructors taught the following topics: definitions of CSR, the triple bottom line, stakeholder theory, exposure to social problems, businesses’ roles in exacerbating or mitigating social problems, specific sustainable solutions companies and nonprofit organizations have implemented, and analysis of public companies’ sustainability reports. Topics were taught using critical thinking tools, such as a decision-making model, a funneling exercise, a root problems activity, and reflection and metareflection. The instruction followed a specific teaching model to promote critical thinking skills development, which can be implemented by other faculty. We found CSR concepts motivated students by giving them the tools and confidence in their abilities to solve meaningful problems and learning outcomes for both CSR and critical thinking were achieved.

scholarly journals Critical Thinking as a Dimension of Constructivist Learning in Social Studies Education: A Study of Teachers’ Attitudes in Secondary Education

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 1
Author(s):  
Ali Emad Muhammad
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Social Studies ◽  
Instructional Strategies ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Social Studies Teachers ◽  
Self Assessment ◽  
Constructive Learning ◽  
Teachers Attitudes ◽  
Self Learning

This study examined social studies teachers’ attitudes towards critical thinking as a dimension of constructive learning. The purpose of this study was indeed to develop a better understanding of the use of instructional approaches by experienced teachers to enhance critical thinking skills and improve student learning of social studies. The study was conducted in the city of Erbil in Iraqi Kurdistan with 20 experienced social studies teachers in 8 public secondary schools. Qualitative approach was preferred for this study. The interview with each of the 20 teachers was conducted individually and their social studies classes are observed separately. The results of this study revealed that teachers have little knowledge and understanding of instructional strategies that foster critical thinking. The teachers believed that students can benefit from using self-learning, self-assessment, involving in peer learning, meaningful and reasonable response process and express curiosity through questioning how and why. This study also explored some obstacles when teachers practice instructional strategies that enhance critical thinking in learning social studies.

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