Developing Critical Thinking in Undergraduate Courses: A Philosophical Approach

This paper is centred on twentieth century philosophers of science. I will examine how they have influenced current physics educational research by others and myself. I will also examine how I have introduced a study of these philosophers in several courses including the calculus-based introductory physics course on optics and modern physics. Students study one philosopher all semester as a group project and report regularly on how their philosopher would view the subject matter of the course. As a consequence of this use of philosophers of science, the students seem to have made a marked improvement in their critical thinking skills and in their grasp of the underlying concepts of the subject matter of the courses.     

Enhancing critical thinking using team-based learning

This study examines students’ perceptions of the development of academic and critical thinking skills in college, with a specific focus on team-based learning (TBL), an active learning strategy designed to increase student interaction and engagement. Six hundred and fifty students in five different courses were surveyed at the beginning of the semester about the extent to which they felt the typical college course enhances various academic and critical thinking skills. These responses were compared to their responses after a semester of TBL regarding the extent to which the TBL environment enhanced these same skills. Students expressed significantly greater improvement in critical thinking skills in a TBL environment in comparison to typical courses for most of the skills assessed and greater improvement in all of these skills in comparison to lecture-based courses. These results held for every demographic subgroup examined, including males, females, freshman, sophomores, juniors and seniors, as well as all levels of academic achievement as measured by grade point average.     

认知分层理论视域下思辨能力培养研究——以外语技能课程为例

外语人才培养的软肋是缺乏思辨能力,培养外语专业学生的思辨能力成为外语界的基本共识。基于布鲁姆认知分层理论的思辨能力培养关系到外语技能课程革新与专业人才培养的目标实现。外语技能课程在加强语言基本功的同时,应从适当调整外语专业技能课程设置、改革外语技能课程的教学方法、改进语言技能课程的教学内容、外语技能课程与课外实践教学有机结合和变技能课程学习为自主选择学习的视角来注重提高学生的思辨能力。造就具有人文素养和思辨能力的外语人才对学生的表达能力、自主学习能力、创新能力发展能够起到巨大的促进作用。     

探索性数据分析方法在成绩分析中的应用

英语、物理、高数、线代、概率论基础、概率论与数理统计等高校公共基础课程旨在帮助学生建立科学的知识结构,培养学生基本的思维能力、分析解决问题的能力和英语运用能力,为后期专业课程的学习奠定基础,因此这类课程的教学质量与教学效果具有尤为重要的意义。本文利用探索性数据分析方法对某高校2002-2009级学生公共基础课程的考试成绩进行了统计分析(采用SPSS软件),以期通过成绩状况探讨此类课程的教学效果及其影响因素,并提出此类课程教学改革的建议。     

提高线性代数课堂教学效果的几点体会

线性代数是理工科重要的基础课程,结合教学实践以及一些思考,从线性代数的课程主线、概念教学、技能培养、思想方法等方面,就如何提高线性代数课程教学效果的谈几点体会。     

The impact of the pre-instructional cognitive profile on learning gain and final exam of physics courses: a case study

The case study described in this paper investigates the relationship among some pre-instructional knowledge, the learning gain and the final physics performance of computing engineering students in the introductory physics course. The results of the entrance engineering test (EET) have been used as a measurement of reading comprehension, logic and mathematics skills and basic physics knowledge of a sample of 47 Computing Engineering freshmen at the University of Palermo (Italy). These data give a significant picture of the initial knowledge status of a student choosing engineering studies. The students' physics learning gain has been calculated using a standardized tool in mechanics: the force concept inventory (FCI). The analysis shows that mathematical and physical background contribute to achieve a good final preparation in physics courses of engineering faculties; however the students' learning gain in physics is independent of students' initial level of mathematics skills and physics knowledge. Initial logic skills and reading comprehension abilities are not significant factors for the learning physics gain and the performance on physics courses.     

Designing and Evaluating the Effectiveness of Physlet-Based Learning Materials in Supporting Conceptual Learning in Secondary School Physics

Many educational researchers have investigated how best to support conceptual learning in science education. In this study, the aim was to design learning materials using Physlets, small computer simulations, and to evaluate the effectiveness of these materials in supporting conceptual learning in secondary school physics. Students were taught in two different physics courses (conditions): one group of students (n = 40) was taught using Physlet-based learning materials, and the other (n = 40) was taught using expository instruction. To evaluate the designed materials, we assessed students’ thinking skills in relation to physics after the course and analyzed the results using an independent t test, multiple regression analyses, and one-way analysis of covariance. The results showed better thinking skills among students in the experimental group and supported a clear relationship between the physics course using Physlet-based materials and this improvement (p < 0.05). These results indicate that properly designed Physlet-based materials can effectively support conceptual learning.     

公共英语演讲课程中的思辨技能培养——基于医学生专业学习需求的教学探索

对当下医学院校的公共英语演讲课程做出了三点调整:一是将公共英语演讲课程的定位从跨文化交际类通识课逐渐过渡到专门用途英语课.二是在教学内容的选择上凸显医学学科特色;提升对思辨能力的系统性认识;增加对说理演讲的学习,达到专业、技能、思辨的深度融合.三是在教学模式上,采用线上线下混合式教学.通过上述方法并举,力求使医学院校开...     

Learning to improve: using writing to increase critical thinking performance in general education biology

Increasingly, national stakeholders express concern that U.S. college graduates cannot adequately solve problems and think critically. As a set of cognitive abilities, critical thinking skills provide students with tangible academic, personal, and professional benefits that may ultimately address these concerns. As an instructional method, writing has long been perceived as a way to improve critical thinking. In the current study, the researchers compared critical thinking performance of students who experienced a laboratory writing treatment with those who experienced traditional quiz-based laboratory in a general education biology course. The effects of writing were determined within the context of multiple covariables. Results indicated that the writing group significantly improved critical thinking skills whereas the nonwriting group did not. Specifically, analysis and inference skills increased significantly in the writing group but not the nonwriting group. Writing students also showed greater gains in evaluation skills; however, these were not significant. In addition to writing, prior critical thinking skill and instructor significantly affected critical thinking performance, whereas other covariables such as gender, ethnicity, and age were not significant. With improved critical thinking skill, general education biology students will be better prepared to solve problems as engaged and productive citizens.     

The Influence of Tablet-Based Technology on the Development of Communication and Critical Thinking Skills: An Interdisciplinary Study

The purpose of this interdisciplinary study was to explore the impacts of tablet technology in a college classroom on students' perceptions of their own learning. Students were asked about oral, written, and graphical communication and critical thinking skills. Mid-semester and end-of-semester surveys were administered to tablet-enabled classes for collection of self-report data. Additionally, objective performance data were gathered from sections of the same courses taught using traditional methods and compared with learning outcomes of those taught using tablets. Students reported that using tablet technology was beneficial for all three types of communication skills. Findings also indicated that tablet usage contributed to a positive effect on dimensions of critical thinking. Implications for these findings are discussed.     

Designing Learning Environments for Critical Thinking: Examining Effective Instructional Approaches

Fostering the development of students’ critical thinking (CT) is regarded as an essential outcome of higher education. However, despite the large body of research on this topic, there has been little consensus on how educators best support the development of CT. In view of some of the controversies surrounding the teaching of CT skills in higher education, this study examined the effects of embedding CT instruction systematically in domain-specific courses (Immersion vs. Infusion) on the acquisition of domain-specific and domain-general CT skills and course achievement. First-year university students (N = 143) enrolled in an introductory physics course were assigned to one of three instructional conditions: Immersion, Infusion, and control. The Immersion and Infusion conditions followed lessons designed systematically based on the First Principles of Instruction model, whereas the control condition followed a regular instruction. Results showed that participants in the Immersion and Infusion conditions significantly outperformed those in the control condition on domain-specific CT proficiency and course achievement. However, neither the Immersion nor the Infusion condition was helpful in fostering the acquisition of domain-general CT skills. The findings generally demonstrated that embedding CT instruction systematically in domain-specific courses requires greater clarity about what set of CT skills could be targeted in domain-specific instruction, how specific subject-matter instruction could be designed considering CT as an integral part of domain-specific instruction, and how best CT outcomes be assessed. Some considerations for the design of CT-supportive learning environments are discussed.     

What They Learned: Using Multimedia to Engage Undergraduates in Research

Today’s employers seek high levels of creativity, communication, and critical thinking, which are considered essential skills in the workplace. Engaging undergraduate students in critical thinking is especially challenging in introductory courses. The advent of YouTube, inexpensive video cameras, and easy-to-use video editors provides opportunities to increase students’ skill levels in these areas. In this article I explain the assignment of producing a public service announcement that integrates research, collaborative learning, and creativity into an introductory survey course; and I discuss the support necessary for students’ success. Their products demonstrate increased levels of media literacy, creativity, and critical thinking skills.     

Becoming a Design Thinker: Assessing the Learning Process of Students in a Secondary Level Design Thinking Course

Design thinking is a collaborative problem solving and human‐centric approach that fosters innovation by elevating participants’ creative thinking abilities. Design thinking techniques and practices have been implemented into different curricula in secondary and post‐secondary education to address the need for new skills to be learned for the twenty‐first century. However, little work has been conducted to clarify how to evaluate the students’ design thinking skills gained in these courses. This study reports on a successful evaluation of an interaction design thinking curriculum in secondary level education. Several types of data sources, including participant observation, open‐ended questions and document analysis were employed to gather extensive data on students’ skills gained during the course. The results of the study inform design thinking researchers about how to evaluate design thinking skills of students in a secondary level design thinking course.     

本科物理教学法课程改革的思考与实践

本文在指出当前基础教育形势要求高师本科教法课必须改革的基础上 ,根据我们近两年对物理教育专业本科生有关课程改革的理论思考与实践 ,讨论了物理教学法的课程设置、教学内容、教学方式与教学管理等问题 ,特别是在有关适应中学物理新课程标准的理念与要求 ,以及如何进一步落实以学生为主体这两个方面进行了探索。     

逻辑悖论与批判性思维

批判性思维既用来指一套可以由逻辑学或类似课程所提供的具体思维技能和方法,也用来指一种思维方式和思维习惯。发现和清理逻辑悖论既需要使用和遵循批判性思维的具体方法,也需要具备批判性思维的方式和习惯。由于逻辑悖论是一种特殊的逻辑矛盾,对它们的清理往往会促成相关理论的重大创新,从而体现批判性思维与创造性思维的关联。解悖式思维是批判性思维的一种极致表现,引导这样一种思维方式既有助于批判性思维技能和方法的训练,也有助于批判性思维方式与人生态度的培育。     

Exploring the Relationship Between High School Students’ Physics-Related Personal Epistemologies and Self-regulated Learning in Turkey

This article reports on an empirical exploration of the relations and strengths among Turkish grades 9–11 students’ (n = 209) personal epistemologies (justification of knowledge, certainty of knowledge, source of knowledge, development of knowledge), self-regulated learning (extrinsic motivation, intrinsic motivation, rehearsal, elaboration, organization, critical thinking, metacognitive self-regulation), and achievement in physics (course grades). Established instruments were used to collect data on these students’ beliefs about knowledge and components of self-regulated learning (SRL) such as goal orientations (extrinsic and intrinsic motivation) and learning strategies, critical thinking, and metacognitive regulation. Results from structural equation modeling revealed that students’ personal epistemologies directly influenced their motivation (extrinsic and intrinsic goal orientations), rehearsal and organization strategies, and metacognitive self-regulation to learn physics. Furthermore, students’ personal epistemologies indirectly (mediated through motivation beliefs) influenced rehearsal, elaboration and organization strategies, critical thinking, and metacognitive self-regulation to learn physics. Students’ ideas about knowledge and knowing about the source and development of knowledge significantly contributed to students’ self-regulatory skills and physics course grade. Implications and future directions are discussed.     

Assessing participation skills: online discussions with peers

Many tertiary-level courses assess students’ participation in tutorial or online discussions. However, in educational and pedagogical research literature, criteria for assessing students’ skills in engaging with peers remain unclear. This article describes an online assignment with a set of participation criteria and a method for assessing the quality of students’ interactions with peers. The assignment focuses on students’ ability to utilise their critical thinking skills while engaging with peers on a particular topic. This includes abilities such as responding to criticism, justifying one’s view and contributing to discussion. While the assignment is designed for a critical thinking course in a philosophy curriculum, the method and participation criteria may be adapted for assessment in other discipline areas.     

线性空间的直和分解思想的地位和作用

论述了线性空间的直和分解思想在数学中和在学生学习过程中所处的地位;并论述了直和分解思想对学习本课程和后继课程以及对培养学生思维能力方面所起的重要作用．     

A project-based learning approach: a case study in China

The goal of higher education is to cultivate graduates’ creative capability, critical thinking skills, and other professional qualities. This paper describes a project-based course and its application in graduate-level education. This course is to improve students’ creative capability, collaboration capability, and self-direction. It includes many new elements such as project-oriented, up-to-date textbooks and research results, and peer-review grading systems. Compared with conventional courses, the evidence suggests that the project-based learning approaches used in this study will be quite successful for providing postgraduate students with more autonomy and creative learning experience.     

Promoting Critical Thinking in an Online Certificate Program For Faculty in the Health Professions

Organizations governing education in the health professions have recently called for changes in teaching to promote students’ use of critical thinking (CT). Expectations for CT in courses to train educators should be aligned with the expectations of student use of CT. A growing number of certificate and master’s-level programs are being developed to address the needs of educators in the health professions who are unlikely to have experienced training in adult education, curriculum development, and assessment. This study explored the extent to which online course discussion forums in continuing profession education courses on teaching and curriculum design can play a role in the development of participants’ CT skills. It investigated an online pilot program of courses that relied heavily on discussions, with prompts designed to elicit higher-level thinking. The 190 discussion posts made over the four program courses were analyzed for CT. Posts were cross-coded by both authors. Frequency of CT increased substantially over the program. Metacognition use in particular rose sharply and consistently. We found that carefully structured online courses can promote CT among educators in the health professions.