Learning to Call Bullsh*t via Induction: Categorization Training Improves Critical Thinking Performance

Participants performed a categorization training task, where each trial presented an example scenario in which an individual makes a claim based on an observation, and participants marked which fallacy or bias, if any, the individual in the scenario was committing. In two studies, we measure the effect of this training task on critical thinking, measured using an open-ended critical thinking assessment, both pre- and post-training. In Study 1, we pilot these materials in an online college course across a full academic semester and observe credible improvements in critical thinking performance. In Study 2, we conduct a pre-registered randomized controlled experiment using online research participants and observe credible improvements in critical thinking relative to no training, and relative to comparable learning activities focused on conventional curricular content. We infer that the categorization training task facilitated inductive learning of patterns of biased and flawed reasoning, which improved participants’ ability to detect and identify such patterns in the delayed open-ended critical thinking assessment. Such categorization training shows promise as an effective and practical method for improving learners’ resistance to online disinformation.

The Development of Critical Thinking Assessment Instruments on Thematic Learning of Life Events in the Fifth Class of Elementary School Students

This study aims to: (1) investigate the feasibility level of developing a critical thinking assessment instrument in the fifth grade thematic lesson of state primary school number 107396 Paluh Merbau, (2) find out the level of effectiveness of critical thinking assessment in the fifth grade thematic lessons at the school, and (3) find out the practicality level of the assessment instrument for critical thinking in the fifth grade. The subject in this study is students of class V state primary school number 107396 Paluh Merbau and the object in this study is the developed critical thinking instruments. The data collection instruments used consisted of learning outcomes test and observation. The results show that the product of this critical thinking assessment instrument is validated by three expert evaluation lecturers who have expertise in their fields. The results of the analysis on three aspects of the evaluation expert are the aspect of content feasibility before the revision received a score of 95% with the criteria very feasible. In the construction aspect, it obtains a score of 87.50% with the criteria very feasible and the linguistic aspect obtains a score of 79, 16% with the feasible criteria. The product of critical thinking assessment-based test instruments for mapping primary school student learning outcomes on cognitive competencies is able to facilitate and benefit teachers in conducting assessments. It is in line with the formulation of the problem which states that critical thinking assessment-based test instruments are for mapping student learning outcomes in effective critical thinking used by the teacher in assessing students' critical thinking assessment.