How to Teach Adults Critical Thinking: Criteria for a Good Course

Contents:

• What criteria for course effectiveness have researchers identified?
• What the course itself should be like?
• How to organize the program?
• How the teacher should behave?

Employees of the Institute of Education of the National Research University Higher School of Economics conducted a study aimed at identifying the criteria that should be taken into account when developing an effective course on Critical Thinking for Adults. The results of their work are published in the journal Thinking Skills and Creativity. The full text of the article is available with permission from Skillbox Media. The study emphasizes the importance of critical thinking skills for an adult audience, making it relevant for educational institutions and training programs.

The study focuses on specific educational programs delivered online using problem-based learning. This method involves focusing the learning process on solving practical cases that represent specific problems. Problem-based learning allows students to develop critical thinking, analysis, and decision-making skills, making it an effective tool for training specialists in various fields.

To evaluate the effectiveness of online courses on critical thinking, the researchers summarized best practices from around the world. In the process, they analyzed numerous previous studies on teaching critical thinking. This allowed them to identify key aspects that influence the success of educational programs in this area. The study resulted in the formulation of recommendations that will help improve the quality of online courses and increase their attractiveness for learners.

What criteria for course effectiveness have the researchers identified?

Experts emphasize that the key factors contributing to the effective teaching of critical thinking to adults are the intrinsic motivation of learners and the flexibility of the educational process. It is important that students are interested in the material being studied, which contributes to a deeper assimilation of knowledge. Flexibility in teaching allows for the adaptation of approaches and methods depending on the needs and preferences of students, which also increases the level of engagement and, as a result, the effectiveness of teaching critical thinking.

According to the authors, intrinsic motivation is not a guarantee of success. The teacher often needs to constantly maintain and develop this motivation throughout the curriculum. An effective method is to focus on discussing the goals and usefulness of training within a given program. This will help students understand the significance of the learning process and increase their engagement. Flexibility of learning is a key aspect in informal adult education. Effective adult learning occurs best without rigid time and space constraints, offering a variety of formats that suit students' individual learning styles and lifestyles. This is precisely what distinguishes high-quality online courses for adults, allowing them to adapt to the unique needs of each learner.

Experts identified key characteristics of a high-quality critical thinking course based on four main parameters.

• Course structure;
• Program organization;
• Instructor;
• Learning platform.

The platform characteristics represent key expectations from a modern LMS: ease of use, support for asynchronous and synchronous learning, the ability to organize group online activities, access to educational materials, and tracking student progress. We will not go into detail on these aspects but will focus on the program's features and teaching methods.

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A teaching style that promotes critical thinking emphasizes the active involvement of students in the learning process. Effective methods include problem-based learning, discussions, and project-based activities. Teachers who use these approaches create an environment where students can analyze information, challenge existing opinions, and develop their own arguments. Developing research and analytical skills is also important, allowing students to better understand complex concepts and make informed decisions. This approach not only improves critical thinking but also fosters students' ability to learn independently and take personal responsibility for their own education.

What the Course Should Be Like

The study's authors believe that a critical thinking course for adults should last at least two months. During this time, the group should study six hours a week. They note that shorter courses may be ineffective, while more intensive classes can cause stress and cognitive overload in students. This highlights the importance of carefully planning educational programs to achieve the best results in developing critical thinking.

While online programs are discussed, it should be noted that some classes can be held in a traditional format if necessary.

Class size plays a key role in the educational process. It is important for the instructor to be able to provide personalized feedback to each participant. This promotes a deeper understanding of the material and improves learning effectiveness. The optimal group size ensures interaction, takes into account the individual needs of students, and helps create a supportive atmosphere.

The program should consist of a limited number of lectures and instructions, while the main content should be presented through practical assignments aimed at solving specific cases. An effective program includes both individual and group work, allowing for a synchronous or blended learning format. This approach promotes deeper learning and the development of skills necessary for practical work.

Tasks should be structured to encourage students to ask further questions, conduct analysis, and discuss the topic. Tasks should be based on real-world examples and be contextualized within a context familiar to students. It is important to exclude tasks that students lack the necessary subject knowledge to understand. This approach will create a more effective learning environment that promotes deep learning and active engagement in the learning process.

Using formative assessment instead of a traditional point system helps maintain students' intrinsic motivation. This approach allows for a focus on the learning process and skill development, not just the end result. An important aspect is communicating the learning objectives and the benefits of developing critical thinking to students. This creates a deeper understanding of the material and helps students approach their learning consciously, which ultimately leads to more effective results.

How to Organize the Program

Clarity of learning objectives, methodology, and assessment methods is a key aspect of an effective educational process. Students need to understand what they should achieve, how the learning will take place, and how their progress will be assessed. Discussion of these elements should begin not only before the start of the course but also continue throughout the course, which contributes to a deeper understanding of the material and increases motivation. Student participation in this process allows them to better navigate the curriculum and adapt to the requirements of the course.

For effective completion of group assignments, it is recommended to form groups of no more than four participants. It is important to carefully structure, organize, and monitor the assignments themselves to ensure maximum productivity and interaction between participants.

The main stages of problem-based learning should be clear to both teachers and students. Instructors should clearly explain the structure and objectives of each stage to enable students to participate effectively. Understanding these stages promotes better learning and the development of critical thinking, a key aspect of problem-based learning. Effective interaction between instructor and students at all stages of learning fosters an active learning environment where each participant can contribute to solving the assigned tasks.

Class discussions should be open and constructive. It is important to base comments on discussion topics on facts and reliable information, rather than personal opinions. This will help create a more productive atmosphere for the exchange of knowledge and ideas, and will also improve the quality of the learning process.

When completing assignments, students are required to search for information online. It is important for teachers to guide this process, helping students develop critical thinking skills. Students should be able to distinguish between reliable sources of information and those that do not meet high standards of reliability. This skill not only contributes to successful completion of assignments but also lays the foundation for the effective use of information in the future.

Results assessment can be carried out using various methods and tools. It is important to use appropriate criteria for analyzing and interpreting data. This will ensure objective and accurate results, which in turn facilitates informed decision-making. Use modern technologies and analytical tools to increase the accuracy of assessment and improve business processes.

• analytical criteria (for example, quantitative assessment of student interactions, their comments, and other metrics);
• results-based assessment (these can be reports or reports on problem solving);
• free-form survey assignments to which students respond in writing (assessment based on argumentation or essays).

It is recommended to reduce the number of multiple-choice assignments and give preference to questions that require detailed answers. Such questions promote deeper learning and develop students' analytical thinking.

How a Teacher Should Behave

The teacher acts as a facilitator in courses, supporting effective group interaction. Their task is to maintain participants' motivation, provide feedback, and help them plan for achieving goals. An important aspect of their work is to encourage reflection in students and stimulate the exchange of feedback between them. This approach promotes a deeper understanding of the material and the development of critical thinking skills, which in turn improves the overall learning atmosphere and increases the effectiveness of the course.

In the context of courses using a problem-based approach, the teacher must have skills in working with this methodology. An important aspect is the ability to motivate students to deeply understand the material. The teacher should ask questions and give prompts that will stimulate students to further reflection and research. This not only promotes the development of critical thinking, but also deepens knowledge, making learning more effective and meaningful.

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• Why don't students ask questions? An excerpt from the book "Interactive Questioning"
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