Exploring Critical Thinking as an Outcome for Students Enrolled in Community Colleges

2020 ◽  
Vol 48 (3) ◽  
pp. 330-351
Author(s):  
Katrina C. Roohr ◽  
Kri Burkander
Keyword(s):  
Community College ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
College Experience ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Future Research ◽  
College Level ◽  
Performance Differences ◽  
College Programs

Objective: Using data from HEIghten® Critical Thinking, a student learning outcomes assessment, the purpose of this study was to evaluate what variables are associated with higher critical thinking performance for students enrolled in various community college programs and to evaluate performance differences across demographic and college-level subgroups as well as student perceptions. Method: With data from 1,307 students enrolled across 34 U.S. and Canadian higher education institutions (72% enrolled in 2-year institutions), we utilized a hierarchical regression to identify variables associated with critical thinking performance. Critical thinking performance differences were evaluated using analyses of variance (ANOVAs) and t-tests across student demographic and college experience subgroups and across student perceptions. Results: Results of this study showed (a) consistent significant predictors associated with higher critical thinking performance; (b) a positive relationship between critical thinking performance and the frequency of using critical thinking in college courses; (c) significant, but relatively small performance differences across demographic and college experience subgroups; and (d) positive relationships between student perceptions and critical thinking performance. Conclusion: This study added to the limited literature evaluating critical thinking skills for community college students. Overall, results suggest that institutions should focus attention to the frequency at which students are using critical thinking throughout their courses, which could increase student performance in this particular area, especially if critical thinking is an explicit outcome within the course. Results also suggested the need to emphasize critical thinking skills more across various community college programs and across non-STEM-focused programs. Suggestions for future research are discussed.

Persistent anchoring to default rates when electing 401(k) contributions

2018 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 88-104
Author(s):  
Bryan Foltice ◽  
Priscilla A. Arling ◽  
Jill E. Kirby ◽  
Kegan Saajasto
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Financial Education ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
College Level ◽  
Contribution Rate ◽  
Enrollment Rate ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Default Rates ◽  
Default Rate

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to investigate how the 401(k) auto-enrollment rate influences the size of elected contribution rates in defined contribution plans for new, young enrollees. Design/methodology/approach The authors survey 324 undergraduate students at a mid-sized Midwestern university, and compare the elected contribution rates for two groups who were randomly given two default rates: 3 and 15 percent. Findings The results indicate widespread evidence of the anchoring and adjusting heuristic in regards to the provided auto-enrollment rate, as the 3 percent default rate group selects a contribution rate of approximately 2 percent less than the group that was provided with the 15 percent default rate. The results also provide support to the benefits of financial education: those who were taking or had already taken a college-level finance course provide higher contribution rates by about 1.7 percent overall. Additionally, individuals with the lowest critical thinking skills elect approximately 2 percent less in annual contributions overall than those who demonstrate higher critical thinking skills. Originality/value Interestingly, all groups seem to be susceptible to the anchoring and adjustment heuristic, as the default rate plays a significant role in the elected contribution rate, regardless of an individual’s financial sophistication or critical thinking skill level. The authors hope that these findings prompt benefit plan administrators and policy-makers to reconsider default rates in their retirement plans that would allow for maximum savings and participation rates. The findings also speak in favor of developing programs that would assist enrollees with financial education and critical thinking skills that would yield better retirement savings decisions when asked to make their employee benefit selections.

scholarly journals Use Of Video-Based Cases As A Medium To Develop Critical Thinking Skills In Health Science Students

2010 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Genevieve Pinto Zipp Zipp ◽  
Cathy Maher
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Classroom Environment ◽  
Learning Strategy ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Health Science ◽  
Physical Therapy Education ◽  
Real Patient ◽  
Therapy Education

One learning strategy that, at present, has not been widely used in graduate Physical Therapy education is “video based cases”. The use of visually unfolding case-based experience provides students a unique opportunity to experience real patient scenarios in their classroom environment. The purpose of this paper is to provide data on student perceptions of usefulness of the video based case experience in promoting their ability to organize, prioritize, and integrate content knowledge for the development of effective critical thinking skills.

scholarly journals EXPLORING STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS OF COLLABORATION AND CRITICTHINKING SKILLS FOLLOWING AN ESCAPE ROOM EXPERIENCE

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 5-16
Author(s):  
Frances Hamilton ◽  
Kimberly Hile ◽  
Dana Skelley ◽  
Sarah Roller ◽  
Sandra Lampley ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Secondary Students ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Descriptive Statistics ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Comparison Analysis ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
Collaboration Skills ◽  
Skills Use

Collaboration and critical thinking are 21st century skills employers value. Campus programming offers a space where, through intentional design, post-secondary students may develop critical thinking and collaboration skills. This study investigates survey data collected after a campus program that engaged participants in an escape room experience. Descriptive statistics were utilized to investigate students’ perceptions of collaboration and critical thinking skills use and improvement during the experience. Comparison analysis was employed to explore if the structure of the escape room produced any difference in results. Findings indicate the majority of participants reported being able to practice and improve collaboration and critical thinking skills in the escape room experience. Patterns suggest that the escape room structure may impact participants’ perceptions of collaboration and critical thinking skills. Limitations and recommendations for areas of future research are discussed.

The Role of Student Feedback in Building Reflexive Teachers

2019 ◽  
pp. 76-90
Author(s):  
Kerri Pilling Burchill ◽  
David Anderson
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Teaching Practice ◽  
Individual Case ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Student Feedback ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Education Environment ◽  
Tacit Assumptions

The contemporary demands of the education environment today require that teachers refine their reflective thinking skills and shift towards the deeper critical thinking skills inherent in reflexive thinking. Reflexivity is a deeper level of critical thinking that assumes a degree of metacognition and “knowing-in-action” (Schon, 1983, p. 50). Metacognition is a critical tool in helping individuals become more aware of their deeply seeded biases and tacit assumptions about the way the world works. Through a phenomenological analysis of four individual case studies, this study found that student feedback was a key catalyst for building reflexivity skills. Specifically, the study details the key ways by which feedback prompted novice teachers to metacognitively think through their knowing-in-action and ultimately improve their teaching practice. The research details important implications in three areas: 1) practice, 2) theory, and 3) future research.

The Erosion of Critical Thinking Development in Post-Secondary Education

2015 ◽  
pp. 68-96
Author(s):  
Michael Robert Hepner
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Development Strategies ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Assessment Instruments ◽  
College Level ◽  
Post Secondary ◽  
History Of ◽  
Definition Of

A quick look at virtually any list of college-level learning outcomes will almost certainly uncover the desire to develop critical thinking skills. While prioritizing the development of critical thinking skills on campuses nationwide is a noble cause, issues quickly arise because the definition of critical thinking varies widely amongst the different disciplines, so this chapter provides a history of the idea of critical thinking in higher education, as well as various critical thinking development strategies and assessment instruments. This chapter also outlines the need for the academe to move from simply mentioning the development of critical thinking skills in various institutional documents to prioritizing such skills through the return of liberal education.

Are We Teaching Critical Thinking in the Classroom?

2001 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 53-67 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert C. Kersting ◽  
Ann Marie Mumm
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Social Work ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Teaching Methodology ◽  
Social Work Programs ◽  
Generalist Practice ◽  
Work Education

The Council on Social Work Education (CSWE) requires social work programs to integrate critical thinking into their curriculum (CSWE, 1992). This article reports results from a pilot study designed to assess how well students integrate critical thinking skills after a one-semester generalist practice course. Forty-six students completed a pre- and posttest assessing critical-thinking skills and their attitudes about critical thinking. The results show some minimal changes in critical thinking. It is concluded that critical thinking is a difficult set of skills to develop and it requires more than a single, one-semester course to develop those skills. We suggest changes in teaching methodology. The article concludes with a discussion of issues regarding measurement of critical thinking for future research.

scholarly journals Using Experiential Learning to Enhance Student Outcomes in a Didactic Program in Dietetics Foodservice Management Course

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Holik ◽  
Scott Heinerichs ◽  
Jena Wood
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Experiential Learning ◽  
Learning Styles ◽  
Student Perceptions ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Course Content ◽  
Hands On ◽  
Foodservice Management

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe student perceptions of their learning following experiential learning (EL) activities in a foodservice management course. Nutrition and dietetics education programs have a range of competencies students must learn and demonstrate throughout their curriculum. Learning styles differ amongst students and research has demonstrated they prefer to engage in EL (direct experience) activities to develop their knowledge. Foodservice management is one area of the curriculum that teaches students the basic functions of management; planning, organizing, directing, controlling, and staffing related to food, materials, facilities, and human resources. While this can be taught didactically, engaging in EL for this content may be a more valuable form of pedagogy to improve student understanding and use of content. Methods: After undergoing review and gaining approval from the Institutional Review Board, 196 nutrition and dietetic students from a regional comprehensive institution with an accredited undergraduate didactic program in dietetics were invited to participate in two experiential learning activities. At the conclusion of the activities, students completed an 8-question survey of their experiences. Results: Over 88% of students agreed EL activities promote better understanding of course content and 90% of students were in agreement that EL activities create an environment conducive to applying theory. Additionally, over 81% of students agreed that the activities encouraged the utilization of critical thinking skills, and 76% believed the activities promoted the value of teamwork and working independently. Finally, students were asked to respond to how the EL activity helped them understand course content and objectives. Two predominate themes emerged in the review of the open-ended responses. The first, EL helped connect and reinforce didactic theory to the real world ultimately assisting students to better prepare themselves for their career. The second focused on learning styles and students’ appreciation for the non-traditional way of learning, outside the classroom, with hands-on application. Conclusions: The results of the study provide support for the use of EL activities in foodservice management courses in a dietetics program. Participation in EL activities helped students close the loop between theoretical and applied learning. EL helped the development and utilization of skills employers are seeking such as critical thinking, teamwork, and independence. EL allows students to be hands-on in their learning and engage in activities aligned with theory and content necessary to meet competencies for entry-level practice in the field. Future research should include other types of foodservice establishments where a registered dietitian nutritionist is employed to determine if those environments have a positive impact on student learning.

scholarly journals Application of Teachers’ Knowledge of Socratic Questioning in Developing EFL Critical Thinking Skills among Omani Post-Basic Learners

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Moosa Ahmed Ali Sulaiman
Keyword(s):  
Critical Thinking ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Critical Thinking Skills ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Intervention Phase ◽  
Socratic Questioning ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Efl Teachers ◽  
Actual Use ◽  
Teachers And Students

With the premise that effective use of Socratic Questioning in instructional practices is of vital importance in EFL/ESL classrooms, this study was undertaken to investigate application of Omani EFL teachers’ knowledge of Socratic Questioning (SQ) on Students’ Critical thinking (CT) in post basic schools. This study is conducted in two phases of investigation. Phase I examined the correlation between teachers’ knowledge and actual use of SQ. Phase II study investigated the application of Omani EFL teachers’ knowledge of SQ on students’ CT in post-basic schools. The present study made an attempt to (a) Determine the relationship between teachers’ knowledge of SQ and their actual use of SQ. (b) Ascertain whether there is any statistically significant difference between mean scores of those who are taught through SQ and those who are taught CT skills in a normal setting. (c) Identify CT strategies, the students were able to develop and apply at the end of the intervention phase. A total of 230 EFL teachers, which comprises a 100% of the total population of all EFL post-basic female teachers in Dhofar region of Oman, participated in this study. The multi-method procedures and data analyses showed that (a) There is a strong positive relationship between teachers’ perceived knowledge and their actual use of SQ; (b) There are significant differences between mean scores of those who were taught CT through SQ and those who were taught CT skills in a normal setting; (c) There is a clear evidence to suggest that students in the experimental group were able to develop effective CT strategies during the intervention phase. The findings of this study offer a number of implications: (a) For instructional practice that involves the teachers and students; (b) For policy and decision makers; and (c) For syllabus designers and testing and evaluation. In addition, it identifies and proposes certain areas related to pedagogy for future research.

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