Developing Critical Thinking Abilities in Business and Accounting Graduates

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Critical thinking abilities are essential for modern business professionals, particularly in the high value-added knowledge economies of the information age. There have been clear and repeated calls for improving students’ abilities in this regard. Developing graduate critical thinking capability may be achieved in a variety of ways. One approach is based on experiential learning theory. In developing a Bachelor of Business Studies (BBS) degree programme (NQAI Level 8) at the Castlebar Campus, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology, an accredited module entitled Critical Thinking was designed and included as a core element in the curriculum. The concept of experiential learning is central to the module design. The purpose of the paper is to explain: the background and underlying rationale for the module; the nature and application of experiential learning; design issues and content; issues arising from the first delivery and initial feedback from students. This approach to fostering students’ critical thinking ability is considered to be potentially successful although a formal evaluation of the module impact has yet to be carried out. It is intended that the experience at Castlebar will serve as a model and stimulus for similar developments elsewhere.