On the Spot Scaffolding as the Hermeneutic Phenomenology Action Field: Critical Thinking Case for Medical Students in Iran.

Abstract

A major contribution to the humanities literature has been the development and application of Vygotsky's sociocultural theory in relevant fields. Constructivism as a paradigm is owed to Vygotsky and his efforts. On-the-spot scaffolding in this regard is one of the innovations that can be triangulated with hermeneutic phenomenology to pave the way for a paradigm shift in the educational system in a broad view and for critical thinking for medical students in a narrow view. This study aimed to illuminate the other side of the behavioristic lesson plan, which is on-the-spot scaffolding in implementing one of the modules of essential skills for doctors of medicine (Adab-e Pezeshki), which is critical thinking. This study was qualitative and longitudinal. It is longitudinal due to the 3 years of involvement and qualitative due to the study design approach and the use of discourse analysis and hermeneutic phenomenology as tools. Three main findings emerged from the study's qualitative nature: first, students who attended the sessions or who merely completed the assignments created an on-the-spot critical thinking scaffolding design, which is an alternative to a behavioristic lesson plan; and second, the students wrote numerous movie reviews in both Persian and English. One of the components of reflective autobiography is these film critics and a student-written, instructor-edited paper submitted to ICHPE 2023. There is an urgent need for a paradigm shift and comparative-historical investigations in the medical education system in Iran.