Developing Critical Thinking: A Comparison of Three Disciplinary Approaches
Abstract
Critical thinking is considered one of the most important results of university education. However, approaches to its development are controversial: there is very conflicting empirical data on the effectiveness of different approaches to the development of critical thinking.
Comparing approaches is difficult because different studies differ in the sets of critical thinking skills diagnosed, the learning conditions and the disciplines in which these approaches are implemented. Therefore, to carry out a comparative study of the effectiveness of infusion, immersion and mixed approaches to the development of critical thinking, a single discipline was chosen - “Concepts of modern natural science”, the differences between the approaches were formulated, which determined the general and different conditions for their implementation, a local definition of critical thinking for natural science was created, based on which identified a single set of diagnosable skills and developed a tool for their assessment. The study, covering 2019-2022, involved 619 students of the Faculty of Philology of RUDN University.
The mixed approach turned out to be optimal; it statistically significantly improved all groups of critical thinking skills. The infusion approach is less effective in developing decision-making skills and formulating inferences, but in other respects is not inferior to the mixed approach. The immersion approach is the least effective and primarily affects the group of information comprehension skills. The duration of the formation of critical thinking skills has a significant impact on the results: an impact spread over two semesters is more effective than one compressed into one semester. The difference in results between first and second year students may be explained by the cumulative nature of cognitive growth: learning has a delayed effect and there are epistemological crises in the perception of knowledge.
Downloads
References
Abrami P.C., Bernard R.M., Borokhovski E., Waddington D.I., Wade C.A., Persson T. (2015) Strategies for Teaching Students to Think Critically: A Meta-Analysis. Review of Educational Research, vol. 85, no 2, pp. 275–314. https://doi.org/10.3102/0034654314551063
Adams D. (2000) Critical Thinking, the Scientific Method, and Page 25 of Gilbert. Available at: https://www.sdbonline.org/sites/archive/sdbeduca/dany_adams/critical_thinking.html (accessed 8 November 2023)
Al-Ghadouni A.M. (2021) Instructional Approaches to Critical Thinking: An Overview of Reviews. Revista Argentina de Clínica Psicológica, vol. 30, no 1, pp. 240–246. https://doi.org/10.24205/03276716.2020.2020
Bailin S., Case R., Coombs J.R., Daniels L.B. (1999) Daniels Common Misconceptions of Critical Thinking. Journal of Curriculum Studies, vol. 31, no 3, pp. 269–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/002202799183124
Baxter Magolda M.B. (1992) Knowing and Reasoning in College Students: Gender-Related Patterns in Students’ Intellectual Development. San Francisco: Jossey-Bass.
Beer de D., Matthee M. (2021) Approaches to Identify Fake News: A Systematic Literature Review. Integrated Science in Digital Age 2020 (ed. T. Antipova), Cham: Springer, pp. 13–22. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49264-9_2
Behar-Horenstein L.S., Niu L. (2011) Teaching Critical Thinking Skills in Higher Education: A Review of the Literature. Journal of College Teaching & Learning, vol. 8, no 2, pp. 25–42. https://doi.org/10.19030/tlc.v8i2.3554
Bellaera L., Weinstein-Jones Y., Ilie S., Baker S.T. (2021) Critical Thinking in Practice: The Priorities and Practices of Instructors Teaching in Higher Education. Thinking Skills and Creativity, vol. 41, September, Article no 100856. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2021.100856
Bezanilla M.J., Fernandez-Nogueiraм D., Poblete M., Galindo-Domınguez H. (2019) Methodologies for Teaching-Learning Critical Thinking in Higher Education: The Teacher’s View. Thinking Skills and Creativity, vol. 33, no 9, Article no 100584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2019.100584
Bourn D. (2018) Understanding Global Skills for 21st Century Professions. Cham: Palgrave Macmillan. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-97655-6
Daniel M., Auriac E. (2011) Philosophy, Critical Thinking and Philosophy for Children. Educational Philosophy and Theory, vol. 43, no 5, pp. 415–435. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-5812.2008.00483.x
Davies M. (2015) A Model of Critical Thinking in Higher Education. Higher Education: Handbook of Theory and Research (ed. M. Paulsen), Cham: Springer, pp. 41–92. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-12835-1_2
Dwyer C.R., Hogan M.J., Steward I. (2014) An Integrated Critical Thinking Framework for the 21st Century. Thinking Skills and Creativity, vol. 12, June, pp. 43–52. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsc.2013.12.004
Ennis R.H. (2011) Critical Thinking: Reflection and Perspective Part I. Critical Thinking across the Disciplines, vol. 26, no 1, pp. 4–18. https://doi.org/10.5840/inquiryctnews20112613
Ennis R.H. (1989) Critical Thinking and Subject Specificity: Clarification and Needed Research. Educational Researcher, vol. 18, no 3, pp. 4–10. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X018003004
Facione P.A. (1990) The Disposition toward Critical Thinking: Its Character, Measurement, and Relationship to Critical Thinking Skill, Informal Logic, vol. 20, no 1, pp. 61–84. https://doi.org/10.22329/il.v20i1.2254
Einstein A. (2003) Physics & Reality. Daedalus, vol. 132, no 4, pp. 22–25. Available at: http://www.jstor.org/stable/20027877 (accessed 30 October 2023).
Fung D., Liang T.W. (2019) Fostering Critical Thinking Through Collaborative Group Work. Insights from Hong Kong. Singapore: Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-13-2411-6
Gann D. (2013) A Few Considerations on Critical Thinking Instruction. Available at: https://www.academia.edu/4212254/A_Few_Considerations_on_Critical_Thinking_Instruction (accessed 30 October 2023).
Garavito J.V., Rodríguez M.S. (2019) Critical Thinking and Its Importance in Doctoral Education. Revista Lasallista de Investigacion, vol. 16, no 2, pp. 179–186. https://doi.org/10.22507/rli.v16n2a15
Halpern D.F. (2014) Thought and Knowledge. An Introduction to Critical Thinking. New York, NY: Psychology Press.
Hamouda A.M.S., Tarlochan F. (2014) A Learning Factory: Enhancing Societal Needs Awareness and Innovation through Manufacturing Class. Engineering Education Letters, vol. 2015, iss. 1, pp. 1–5. https://doi.org/10.5339/eel.2015.7.pp1-5
Hatcher D. (2015) Critical Thinking Instruction: A Realistic Evaluation. Inquiry: Critical Thinking across the Disciplines, vol. 30, no 3, pp. 4–19. https://doi.org/10.5840/inquiryct201530313
Johnson R.H. (1992) The Problem of Defining Critical Thinking. The Generalizability of Critical Thinking (ed. S.P. Norris), New York, NY: Teachers College, рр. 38–53.
Koreshnikova Yu.N., Froumin I.D., Pashchenko T.V. (2021) Organizatsionnye i pedagogicheskie usloviya formirovaniya navyka kriticheskogo myshleniya u studentov rossijskikh vuzov [Organizational and Pedagogical Conditions for the Development of Critical Thinking Skills among Russian University Students]. University Management: Practice and Analysis, vol. 25, no 1, pp. 5–17. https://doi.org/10.15826/umpa.2021.01.001
Koreshnikova Yu.N., Frоumin I.D. (2020) Professional'nye kompetentsii pedagoga kak faktor sformirovannosti kriticheskogo myshleniya studentov [Teachers’ Professional Skills as a Factor in the Development of Students’ Critical Thinking]. Psychological Science and Education, vol. 25, no 6, pp. 88—103. https://doi.org/10.17759/pse.2020250608
Kurfiss J.G. (1988) Critical Thinking: Theory, Research, Practice, and Possibilities. ASHE-ERIC Higher Education Report no 2. Washington DC: George Washington University.
Kurennoy V. (2020) Filosofiya liberal´nogo obrazovaniya: printsipy [Philosophy of Liberal Education: The Principles]. Voprosy obrazovaniya / Educational Studies Moscow, no 1, pp. 8–39. https://doi.org/10.17323/1814-9545-2020-1-8-39
Leighton J.P., Cui Y., Cutumisu M. (2021) Key Information Processes for Thinking Critically in Data-Rich Environments. Frontiers in Education, vol. 6, Article no 561847. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2021.561847
Lipman M. (2003) Thinking in Education. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University.
McClure С. (2007) A Test of Leadership: Charting the Future of U.S. Higher Education. Final Report of the Secretary's Commission on the Future of Higher Education. The Library Quarterly, vol. 77, no 1, pp. 89–92. https://doi.org/10.1086/512957
McPeck J. (1981) Critical Thinking and Education. New York, NY: St. Martin’s Press.
Moore T. (2013) Critical Thinking: Seven Definitions in Search of a Concept. Studies in Higher Education, vol. 38, no 4, pp. 506–522. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2011.586995
Moseley D., Baumfield V., Elliott J., Gregson M., Higgins S., Miller J., Newton D. (2005) Frameworks for Thinking. A Handbook for Teaching and Learning. Cambridge: Cambridge University. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9780511489914
Mulnix J.W. (2012) Thinking Critically about Critical Thinking Educational, Philosophy and Theory, vol. 44, no 5, pp. 464–479. https://doi.org/10.1111/epat.2012.44.issue-5
Niu L., Behar-Horenstein L.S., Garvan C.W. (2013) Do Instructional Interventions Influence College Students’ Critical Thinking Skills? A Meta-Analysis. Educational Research Review, vol. 9, June, pp. 114–128. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.edurev.2012.12.002
Orhan A., Çeviker Ay Ş. (2022) How to Teach Critical Thinking: An Experimental Study with Three Different Approaches. Learning Environ Research, vol. 26, pp. 199–217. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10984-022-09413-1
Palavan Ö. (2020) The Effect of Critical Thinking Education on the Critical Thinking Skills and the Critical Thinking Dispositions of Preservice Teachers. Educational Research and Reviews, vol. 15, no 10, pp. 606–627. https://doi.org/10.5897/ERR2020.4035
Paul R.W. (2005) The State of Critical Thinking Today. New Directions for Community Colleges, no 130, pp. 27–38. http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/cc.193
Paul R., Elder L. (2008) The Thinkers’ Guide to Nature and Functions of Critical and Creative Thinking. Dillon Beach, CA: Foundation for Critical Thinking.
Paul R.W., Elder L., Bartell T. (1997) California Teacher Preparation for Instruction in Critical Thinking: Research Findings and Policy Recommendations. Sacramento, CA: California Commission of Teacher Credentialing.
Reed J.H. (1998) Effect of a Model for Critical Thinking on Student Achievement in Primary Source Document Analysis and Interpretation, Argumentative Reasoning, Critical Thinking Dispositions, and History Content in a Community College History Course (PhD Thesis), Tampa, FL: University of South Florida. Available at: https://www.critical thinking.org/resources/JReed-Dissertation.pdf (accessed 30 October 2023)
Rossi I.V., de Lima J.D., Sabatke B., Nunes M.A.F., Ramirez G.E., Ramirez M.I. (2021) Active Learning Tools Improve the Learning Outcomes, Scientific Attitude, and Critical Thinking in Higher Education: Experiences in an Online Course during the COVID-19 Pandemic. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education, vol. 49, no 6, pp. 888–903. https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21574
Scriven M., Paul R. (2008) Defining Critical Thinking. Available at: https://www.criticalthinking.org/pages/defining-critical-thinking/766 (accessed 30 October 2023).
Sedaghat M., Rahmani S. (2011) A Review of Approaches to Teaching Thinking: Appropriate Approach for Iran Education System. Procedia — Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 30, pp. 1037–1042. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2011.10.202
Solodikhina M.V. (2023) Transformatsiya distsipliny “Kontseptsii sovremennogo estestvoznaniya” pod tseli razvitiya kriticheskogo myshleniya [Transformation of the Discipline “Concepts of Modern Natural Science” for the Development of Critical Thinking]. The Education and Science Journal, vol. 25, no 6, pp. 38–68. https://doi.org/10.17853/1994-5639-2023-6-38-68
Solodikhina M.V. (2022) Kriticheskoe myshlenie v vysshem estestvennonauchnom obrazovanii: opredelenie i soderzhanie ponyatiya [Critical Thinking in Higher Natural Science Education: Definition and Content of the Concept]. Moscow: MPGU. https://doi.org/10.31862/9785426310650
Solodikhina М.V., Solodikhina A.A. (2021) Natural-Scientific Cases as a Tool for the Development of Critical Thinking. European Proceedings of Social and Behavioural Sciences EpSBS, vol. 116, pp. 1532–1545. https://doi.org/10.15405/epsbs.2021.09.02.171
Sosnina E.P., Starostina N.N. (2019) O vliyanii kriticheskogo myshleniya na kachestvo osvoeniya inostrannogo yazyka dlya spetsial´nykh tseley [Effects of Critical Thinking on Quality of Studying Foreign Language for Special Purposes] The Proceedings of the Samara Academy of Sciences, no 21(67), pp. 29–37.
Sousa A.S., Vieira R.M. (2021) Promoting Critical and Creative Thinking in Science Education: A Proposal for an Inservice Teacher Education Programme. Perspectives on Critical Thinking (ed. J.C. Sanders), Hauppauge, NY: Nova Science Publishers, pp. 51–87.
Tarasova K.V., Orel E.A. (2022) Izmerenie kriticheskogo myshleniya studentov v otkrytoj onlain-srede. Metodologiya, kontseptual’naya ramka i tipologiya zadanij [Measuring Students’ Critical Thinking in Online Environment: Methodology, Conceptual Framework and Tasks Typology]. Voprosy obrazovaniya / Educational Studies Moscow, no 3, pp. 187–212. https://doi.org/10.17323/1814-9545-2022-3-187-212
Tew E.W.K. (2015) Critical Thinking in the Context of Group Learning: A Qualitative Study of Postgraduate Accounting and Finance Students’ Perceptions (Thesis). University of the West of England Research Repository. Available at: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/835777 (accessed 30 October 2023)
Tiruneh D.T., Cock M.D., Elen J. (2018) Designing Learning Environments for Critical Thinking: Examining Effective Instructional Approaches. Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, vol. 16, pp. 1065–1089. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10763-017-9829-z
Willingham D.T. (2007) Critical Thinking: Why Is It So Hard to Teach? American Educator, vol. 31, pp. 8–19. Available at: http://www.aft.org/sites/default/files/periodicals/Crit_Thinking.pdf (accessed 30 October 2023).
.jpg){kind=small}
