Critical thinking skills have been identified as learning outcomes expected of students for most courses of tertiary education in many countries including Malaysia. One of the courses where critical thinking is required is academic writing. Producing academic writing which is well argued, insightful, thought-provoking, characterised by evidence and wide reading is a challenge for undergraduate students. Not only do the students need to have a good command of the language, they also need to be critical as they examine viewpoints, facts and arguments and synthesise them. This thesis explores several approaches to developing critical thinking skills in an academic writing course for undergraduate students. The use of a rubric or a checklist and discussion with peers were identified in the study to support the development of critical thinking. Their potency was explored in a quasi- experimental study involving undergraduate students taking English for Academic Writing course. The three treatments groups were: peer review where students used a checklist and discussed their ideas; peer evaluation where students used the rubric and discussed their ideas and evaluations; self-evaluation where students used the rubric but did not discuss their ideas. The level of critical thinking for each groups and a control group who received no treatment, was measured before and after learning interventions using two instruments: the Cornell Critical Thinking Test Level X (CCTT-X) and the English for Academic Writing term paper. In addition, students’ and instructors’ perspectives on the learning activities were elicited by means of questionnaires and interviews. Classroom observations were also carried out. The rubric which was used in the peer evaluation and self-evaluation activities is called the Critical Thinking for Academic Writing Analytical Rubric (CAWAR). It contains 12 criteria with descriptions of the two ends of performance domains i.e. the best and the weakest points and a commentary space. The checklist used in the peer review activity, on the other hand, replicates the CAWAR except that it does not have the grading element. The study found that all treatments showed some potential for fostering the development of critical thinking skills. Theoretically, it is argued that peer evaluation has the greatest potential of the three treatments provided that both teachers and students understand the value of collaborative learning and the importance of giving sufficient time for discussion. The introduction of either the rubric or checklist or promoting peer discussion has promoted critical thinking in an academic writing course.

Critical thinking skills have emerged as a vital tool for the professional nurse confronting an explosion of technology and compressed plans of treatment. The purpose of this research was to compare the critical thinking skills of experienced registered nurses from two practice settings: the operating room and general medical-surgical floors. Critical thinking was defined as a "composite of attitudes, knowledge, and skills" (Watson-Glaser, 1980, p. 1).The research of Benner (1984) provided the foundation for this research. Benner documented the development of knowledge and skill in nursing practice. Nurses at the proficient and expert stages of development were the focus of this research.A non-random, convenience sample containing fifty one nurses was drawn from two Midwestern hospitals. Demographic data was gathered to further describe the sample. Participation in the study was voluntary and anonymity of subjects was assured.The Watson-Glaser Critical Thinking Appraisal (WGCTA) (1980) was the instrument utilized to measure the critical thinking skills of the experienced nurses. This tool has established validity and reliability and is considered a benchmark for measuring critical thinking ability.Analysis of the WGCTA (1980), results revealed a mean of 54.29, SD 9.66 for the total group of experienced registered nurses (N=5 1). For the operating room nurses (n=28) a mean of 52.71 with a SD of 9.41 was obtained. Among the medical-surgical nurses (n=23), the mean score was 56.21 with a SD of 9.81. T-test and MANOVA analysis was carried out. No significant statistical differences were found between the means in either the total scores of the WGCTA or on the five sub-tests for the two groups. The data submitted for analysis reflected a very experienced group (51 % with > 15 years nursing experience) and predominate Associate and Diploma preparation (61 %). Norming information available for the WGCTA indicated the scores obtained in this research were comparable to much larger samples drawn from nursing students and police officers.A conclusion of this research is that critical thinking, as measured by the WGCTA (1980), develops uniformly across diverse practice areas. An examination of the usefulness of the WGCTA to accurately measure the process of critical thinking in experienced nurses is recommended. More research into the important issues of critical thinking and experienced nursing practice is recommended. / School of Nursing

The lack of the teaching of scientific critical thinking is seen as a major problem in the American educational system by many current educators, theorists, and researchers. Using Introductory Psychology students as subjects, the present study attempted to improve these skills by teaching students using new research method materials as part of classroom instruction. The students were measured with a test developed for the study. The new materials were found to improve students' scientific critical thinking ability over students in courses not using the new materials. These materials can be helpful in improving students' ability to evaluate scientific claims presented in the media. / Department of Psychological Science

Nursing schools today are bound by accreditation agencies to produce graduate nurses who can think critically. Clinical instructors play the dominant role in transitioning students from the didactic experience to the clinical experience. The clinical experience is where students practice higher levels of thinking under the supervision and guidance of a clinical instructor in order to arrive at safe patient care decisions. Regardless of the teaching method used to develop critical thinking skills, it is the underlying questioning skill of the instructor that facilitates the growth of critical thinking (Giddings, Dyson, Entwistle, Macdiarmid, Marshall, & Simpson, 2000; Hermiz, 2001, p. 183; Myrick & Yonge, 2002).The purpose of the descriptive study was fourfold: (a) to examine the cognitive characteristics of questions asked by clinical nurse faculty of baccalaureate nursing students, (b) to examine faculty perceptions of the questions being asked in the clinical setting, (c) to examine the questions asked under the categories posed by Myrick and Yonge (2002) of theoretical knowledge, clinical decision-making and action in an effort to determine if systematic questioning is occurring that moves students from theoretical knowledge through to nursing action, and (d) to compare faculty perceptions of the questions asked. Questions were examined for level and type as defined by Craig and Paige (1981); and context in which the question was posed utilizing the guidelines posed by Myrick and Yonge (2002) as theoretical knowledge, clinical decision-making and action. The academic and professional characteristics of clinical faculty were captured utilizing a demographic survey.Findings mirror that of previous research. Clinical faculty continue to ask low cognitive level questions of baccalaureate nursing students. Approximately 71.8% of the questions represented the categories of knowledge, comprehension and application. In addition, over 21% of the questions posed fell into the category of "other" representing questions that were primarily yes/no, and information seeking type questions When looking at sequencing of questions, again, primarily the questions fell into the theoretical knowledge category, and did not move the student through to the evaluation of nursing care. / Department of Educational Studies

The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the effectiveness and necessity of managing the teaching of critical thinking skills in English Home Language to second language speakers in the Further Education and Training phase, by focusing on critical thinking skills; classroom management; management skills of professional teachers; the relationship between teaching and management; guidelines for effective classroom management; the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12; the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 English Home Language; critical thinking skills as indicated in the language curriculum; and factors that influence the teaching and learning of critical thinking skills. The literature study reveals that the managing of teaching critical thinking skills is paramount to the effectiveness of the teaching of English Home Language to second language speakers in the Further Education and Training (FET) phase. However, due to several factors, namely: curriculum change; the acceptance and implementation of the new curriculum; professionally qualified and trained educators; background of learners; English Home Language being the language of learning and teaching of many second language speakers, the deliberate managing of teaching critical thinking skills has been overlooked and is totally non-existent. The lack of managing the teaching of critical thinking skills in the English classroom ultimately generates learners who lack the ability to present and understand arguments, think logically and rationally and who fail to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired in becoming well-adjusted citizens in a competitive society. Research evidence has shown that cognition and language development are closely related. It is through language that children come to know the world. Higher-order thinking skills promote higher-order learning skills which in turn enable learners to reach higher levels of language proficiency. A major finding emanating from the research is that educators should become familiar with and embrace the National Curriculum Statement grades 10-12 English Home Language. The learning environment should also be designed to support and challenge the learner’s thinking. English language educators should integrate the promotion of thinking skills into the language curricula. The critical goal is to support the learner in becoming an effective critical thinker. Educators should be professionally trained and qualified to teach English Home Language, especially to second language speakers. Educators must also have good classroom and professional management skills. Educators must exude, disseminate and nurture critical thinking skills in their learners. Educators must be more thorough in the planning and execution of lessons and deliberately incorporate critical thinking skills into lessons. This study recommends on the basis of the literature review, guidelines to assist educators in managing the teaching of critical thinking skills in English Home Language to second language speakers in the Further Education and Training phase. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

The purpose of this study is to investigate and analyse the effectiveness and necessity of managing the teaching of critical thinking skills in English Home Language to second language speakers in the Further Education and Training phase, by focusing on critical thinking skills; classroom management; management skills of professional teachers; the relationship between teaching and management; guidelines for effective classroom management; the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12; the National Curriculum Statement Grades 10-12 English Home Language; critical thinking skills as indicated in the language curriculum; and factors that influence the teaching and learning of critical thinking skills. The literature study reveals that the managing of teaching critical thinking skills is paramount to the effectiveness of the teaching of English Home Language to second language speakers in the Further Education and Training (FET) phase. However, due to several factors, namely: curriculum change; the acceptance and implementation of the new curriculum; professionally qualified and trained educators; background of learners; English Home Language being the language of learning and teaching of many second language speakers, the deliberate managing of teaching critical thinking skills has been overlooked and is totally non-existent. The lack of managing the teaching of critical thinking skills in the English classroom ultimately generates learners who lack the ability to present and understand arguments, think logically and rationally and who fail to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired in becoming well-adjusted citizens in a competitive society. Research evidence has shown that cognition and language development are closely related. It is through language that children come to know the world. Higher-order thinking skills promote higher-order learning skills which in turn enable learners to reach higher levels of language proficiency. A major finding emanating from the research is that educators should become familiar with and embrace the National Curriculum Statement grades 10-12 English Home Language. The learning environment should also be designed to support and challenge the learner’s thinking. English language educators should integrate the promotion of thinking skills into the language curricula. The critical goal is to support the learner in becoming an effective critical thinker. Educators should be professionally trained and qualified to teach English Home Language, especially to second language speakers. Educators must also have good classroom and professional management skills. Educators must exude, disseminate and nurture critical thinking skills in their learners. Educators must be more thorough in the planning and execution of lessons and deliberately incorporate critical thinking skills into lessons. This study recommends on the basis of the literature review, guidelines to assist educators in managing the teaching of critical thinking skills in English Home Language to second language speakers in the Further Education and Training phase. / Thesis (M.Ed.)-North-West University, Vaal Triangle Campus, 2011

No description available.

Thesis (Ph.D.)--Tufts University, 2004. / Adviser: Rebecca S. New. Submitted to the Dept. of Child Development. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 153-167). Access restricted to members of the Tufts University community. Also available via the World Wide Web;

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Alabama at Birmingham, 2007. / Additional advisors: Lois M. Christensen, Lynn D. Kirkland, Maryann Manning, Deborah Strevy. Description based on contents viewed Feb. 8, 2008; title from title screen. Includes bibliographical references (p. 108-114).

Thesis PlanB (M.S.)--University of Wisconsin--Stout, 2007. / Includes bibliographical references.