Effects of Active Learning on Enhancing Student Critical Thinking in an Undergraduate General Science Course

To enhance students’ critical thinking in an undergraduate general science course, we designed and implemented active learning modules by incorporating group-based learning with authentic tasks, scaffolding, and individual reports. This study examined the levels of critical thinking students exhibit...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Innovative higher education 2013-06, Vol.38 (3), p.223-235
Main Authors: Kim, Kyoungna, Sharma, Priya, Land, Susan M., Furlong, Kevin P.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Active Learning
Cognition
College students
Critical Thinking
Earth science
Education
Educational Environment
Educational Strategies
Educational Technology
Higher Education
Learning Modules
Learning Strategies
Scaffolding
Science Curriculum
Science Education
Science Instruction
Scores
Statistical Significance
Student Development
Thinking Skills
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate Study
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Summary:To enhance students’ critical thinking in an undergraduate general science course, we designed and implemented active learning modules by incorporating group-based learning with authentic tasks, scaffolding, and individual reports. This study examined the levels of critical thinking students exhibited in individual reports and the students’ critical thinking level change over time. Findings indicated that students’ average critical thinking level fell in the category of “developing”, but students’ scores on individual reports revealed a statistically significant increase. The study suggested that the active learning strategies employed in the study were useful to promote student critical thinking.
ISSN:0742-5627
1573-1758
DOI:10.1007/s10755-012-9236-x