This study examined the effects of professional development in the form of a teacher study group and a particular discussion approach, Collaborative Reasoning (CR) (Anderson, et al., 2001) upon teachers' questioning and students' levels of thinking during discussion of text. The study explored how five middle school teachers achieved a deeper understanding of teachers' authentic questioning and the facilitation of CR discussion. The Formative and Design Experiment (FandDE) framework was used in this investigation. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected. Teachers coded transcripts of one baseline and four CR discussions for each teacher. Transcripts were coded for teachers' CR instructional moves, CR features incorporated by the students in discussion, and the levels of thinking supporting students' responses. Data indicated that the nature of discussions progressed from recitation to more dialogical discussion patterns. Teachers implemented more authentic questioning, and students were observed to use more higher-order thinking in the responses. Students discourse showed a higher incidence of exploratory talk and uptake. Students used multiple kinds of evidence from personal experience, texts, and knowledge from previous reading/lecture/discussion to support their arguments. The data suggest that the implementation of a specific discussion model may enhance teachers' questioning and encourage students to engage in higher-order thinking and reasoning when discussing text. / Ph. D.

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Research has it that students in institutions of higher learning the world over evidence stifled critical thinking dispositions in their studies. Some researchers in countries like the United States of America have come up with findings about critical thinking dispositions peculiar to their contexts and hence not universally applicable. Factors that stifle critical thinking dispositions of students in Zimbabwean institutions of higher learning had not been studied per se. This research focuses on factors that stifle critical thinking dispositions of third year students at Morgenster Teachers’ College in Zimbabwe. Both the qualitative and the quantitative research approaches were employed in this research. Focus group interviews and questionnaires were used to generate data. Third year students at Morgenster Teachers’ College were studied. The research findings reveal that the factors that stifle critical thinking dispositions in the students are individualistic, structuralistic, socio-cultural and political. In this study, it is recommended that the lecturers can alleviate the effects of the factors that stifle critical thinking dispositions by exposing students to critical thinking situations. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.(Philosophy of Education)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / This thesis is a conceptual exploration of the concept "critical thinking" and is chiefly aimed at everyone involved in education in the new South Africa. The investigation is contextualised by critically examining certain motives for such an investigation and by assessing the importance of encouraging people to think critically. The focus is first on the relationship between the concepts "critical thinking", "thinking" and "rationality". Then follows a thorough analysis of the concept "critical thinking". Preconditions for the use of the concept are identified. The last part of the thesis deals with the relationship between critical thinking, learning and critical thinking can level. teaching, and a discussion on how be improved and promoted at school / Hierdie verhandeling is ·'n konseptuele verkenning van die begrip "kritiese denke" en is veral gerig aan almal wat by die opvoeding in die nuwe Suid- Afrika betrokke is. Die verkenning word gekontekstualiseer deur sekere motiewe vir so 'n ondersoek krities te bespreek en die belangrikheid daarvan om mense aan te moedig om krities te dink te bepaal. Daar word vervolgens eers gekonsentreer op die verhouding tussen die begrippe "kritiese denke", "denke" en "rasionaliteit". Daarna volg n grondige bespreking van die beg rip "kritiese denke". Voorwaardes vir die gebruik van die begrip word nagegaan. Die laaste gedeelte van die verhandeling handel oar die verhouding tussen kritiese denke, leer en onderrig en daar word beredeneer hoe kritiese denke op skoolvlak verbeter en bevorder kan word. / Philosophy, Practical & Ststematic Theology / M.A. (Wysbegeerte)

published_or_final_version / Education / Master / Master of Education

The primary objective of this research was to determine if a specific set of reflective practices enhance university undergraduate students’ abilities to: 1) reflect on their thinking processes to become more aware of their own intellectual habits and how they form; 2) inquire with open-minded curiosity, including suspension of assumptions long enough for them to be challenged; and 3) generate justifiable, contextual understandings and judgments, individually and in collaboration. “Reflective practices” refers to a specific set of reflective learning activities introduced to undergraduates in two courses: mindfulness practice extended into journal writing, listening, inquiry and dialogue. The purpose of the reflective practices in this research was to support independent, critical thinking: well-reasoned, evaluative judgments based on evidence, contextual understanding, and respect for others. Students were instructed in both individual, introspective activity as well as in paired and group interaction while preserving a degree of mindfulness. Indicators of the dispositions for critical thinking were developed using grounded theory methods to study students’ experiences, as well as those dispositions previously identified in the research literature. Qualitative results showed increased self-confidence, engagement with multiple points of view, and an unexpected sense of connectedness that was stronger between students who disagreed with each other than between students who found easy agreement in their interaction. Quantitative results showed statistically significant gains in the average number of indicators of critical thinking dispositions appearing in student journals comparing week 1 to week 11. There was also positive correlation between final essay exam scores graded for critical thinking skills and the total number of indicators found in students’ journals. / This thesis presents primary research on the impacts of mindfulness applied to introspective and interactive learning activities in undergraduate university courses.

Research has it that students in institutions of higher learning the world over evidence stifled critical thinking dispositions in their studies. Some researchers in countries like the United States of America have come up with findings about critical thinking dispositions peculiar to their contexts and hence not universally applicable. Factors that stifle critical thinking dispositions of students in Zimbabwean institutions of higher learning had not been studied per se. This research focuses on factors that stifle critical thinking dispositions of third year students at Morgenster Teachers’ College in Zimbabwe. Both the qualitative and the quantitative research approaches were employed in this research. Focus group interviews and questionnaires were used to generate data. Third year students at Morgenster Teachers’ College were studied. The research findings reveal that the factors that stifle critical thinking dispositions in the students are individualistic, structuralistic, socio-cultural and political. In this study, it is recommended that the lecturers can alleviate the effects of the factors that stifle critical thinking dispositions by exposing students to critical thinking situations. / Educational Studies / M. Ed.(Philosophy of Education)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / This thesis is a conceptual exploration of the concept "critical thinking" and is chiefly aimed at everyone involved in education in the new South Africa. The investigation is contextualised by critically examining certain motives for such an investigation and by assessing the importance of encouraging people to think critically. The focus is first on the relationship between the concepts "critical thinking", "thinking" and "rationality". Then follows a thorough analysis of the concept "critical thinking". Preconditions for the use of the concept are identified. The last part of the thesis deals with the relationship between critical thinking, learning and critical thinking can level. teaching, and a discussion on how be improved and promoted at school / Hierdie verhandeling is ·'n konseptuele verkenning van die begrip "kritiese denke" en is veral gerig aan almal wat by die opvoeding in die nuwe Suid- Afrika betrokke is. Die verkenning word gekontekstualiseer deur sekere motiewe vir so 'n ondersoek krities te bespreek en die belangrikheid daarvan om mense aan te moedig om krities te dink te bepaal. Daar word vervolgens eers gekonsentreer op die verhouding tussen die begrippe "kritiese denke", "denke" en "rasionaliteit". Daarna volg n grondige bespreking van die beg rip "kritiese denke". Voorwaardes vir die gebruik van die begrip word nagegaan. Die laaste gedeelte van die verhandeling handel oar die verhouding tussen kritiese denke, leer en onderrig en daar word beredeneer hoe kritiese denke op skoolvlak verbeter en bevorder kan word. / Philosophy, Practical and Ststematic Theology / M.A. (Wysbegeerte)

In 1992 Maxine Hairston "Diversity, Ideology, and Teaching Writing" claimed that instead of teaching writing and critical thinking skills, First year Composition (FYC) instructors were instead using their classrooms as coercive political platforms that were detrimental to students' educational needs.

The health care field has become increasingly more complex, requiring new nurses to be prepared upon graduation to respond to a variety of complex situations. Unfortunately, many graduates from associate degree nursing (ADN) programs are not able to think critically upon entering the work force. This presents a major problem for the nurse and for the employer. The purpose of the study, therefore, was to gain a deeper understanding of the graduates' perceptions of their ability to critically think during their first year of clinical practice, and if they believed their program prepared them to be critical thinkers. The key research questions focused on how the novice nurses reconciled their performance on a critical thinking, online assessment, the Health Sciences Reasoning Test (HSRT), with their perception of their critical thinking skills, and if they felt prepared, during their first year of clinical practice, to critically think. The conceptual framework applied was Bloom's Taxonomy and Tanner's clinical judgment model. A purposeful sampling of 7 novice nurses from 3 ADN programs was chosen. After completing the HSRT, audio-taped phone interviews were conducted. The data indicated that the participants felt unprepared to respond to emergent patient situations, thus undermining their self-worth and clinical competency. The participants agreed there was a need for a critical thinking course in ADN curriculum. A project was created for a 9-week critical thinking course, incorporating theory, clinical practice, and simulation exercises. Social change is expected to occur when student nurses are able to critically think upon graduation, resulting in positive patient outcomes, both of which will benefit patients, their families, and their communities.