Thinking In Education Research Articles

Different Approaches to Enhance Critical Thinking in Digital Education

. This paper explores the integration of critical thinking (CT) in English language teaching, emphasizing its vital role in both academic and professional settings. Although critical thinking is frequently highlighted in curriculum guidelines, many English language teachers find it challenging to effectively teach these skills. This study reviews various approaches to CT instruction, including general, infusion, immersion, and mixed methods, and evaluates their effectiveness in enhancing students' critical analysis and reasoning abilities. It highlights how CT is linked to language proficiency and cultural context, noting the potential resistance due to traditional teaching methods and lack of materials. The discussion includes practical strategies for fostering CT in the ESL classroom, such as Socratic questioning, genre awareness, corpus analysis, and collaborative work. Additionally, the study examines simulation/game-based approaches and content-based instruction as effective methods for embedding CT in language learning. Results indicate that the infusion and immersion approaches are particularly successful in subject-specific CT development, while the mixed approach provides a balanced methodology. The paper concludes by stressing the importance of teacher training in CT and the necessity of creating a supportive learning environment to reduce student anxiety. By fostering critical thinking, ESL educators can better prepare students to navigate complex academic and professional landscapes, ensuring their long-term success. This study underscores the need for a nuanced understanding of CT and the careful scaffolding of language to enhance students’ analytical skills.

Mathematical thinking in programming education: Applied to the solution of linear equations in Junior high school

Mathematical thinking in programming education: Applied to the solution of linear equations in Junior high school

Gatekeeping and fence-making: Themes and discourses of musicianship in UK music therapy training

Music therapy pedagogy remains under-researched in the United Kingdom, with much pedagogic knowledge held implicitly by experienced trainers and supervisors. Musical training requirements are further under-theorised, emphasising a ‘high degree of musicianship’ as a single criterion while leaving unclear how musical and therapeutic identities are integrated within the Music Therapist/musician. This article presents findings from interviews with five experienced UK trainers carried out in 2017–2018. Interviews were analysed from two perspectives: a thematic analysis identified trainers’ views on what ‘being a Music Therapist’ means in musical terms, while a discourse analysis helped show how trainers position music therapy in relation to musicianship more generally. Findings suggest trainers understand musicianship in music therapy as a combination of distinct musicianship characteristics, where exceptional achievement in one does not make up for lack in another. Trainers’ assessments of competence across these characteristics not only act to identify suitable candidates for training (gatekeeping) but also discursively construct the practice of music therapy itself and distinguish it from other musical practices (fence-making). The UK music therapy training context has developed rapidly since these data were collected. Nevertheless, this study gives an account of recent pedagogic thinking on musicianship which remains relevant to current music therapy training.

Exploring the multimodal affordances of digital coding devices in fostering creative thinking in early childhood education

Digital technologies are increasingly acknowledged for their potential to enrich early childhood learning experiences, particularly in the area of creativity. However, research has tended to focus upon end products and skill development, and little is known about creative development processes. This study sought to explore young children's creative processes as they engaged with three digital coding devices over an eight-week period as part of a Digital Discovery Program. It employed a microethnography to provide nuanced observations of five young children's (aged 4–5 years) interactions and behaviours. Data was collected through approximately 40 hours of video recordings, capturing the dynamic and multimodal aspects of the childrenʼs play and learning experiences. A multimodal interaction analysis was used to examine the multimodal design affordances of each device as mapped against Murcia et al.'s (2020) A-E of Creativity Framework. The findings revealed a clear interplay between digital technologies and various modes of communication, with children demonstrating creativity through their verbal expressions, manipulation of the devices, and spatial understanding of their physical environment. By understanding the multimodal affordances of digital devices aligned with educational frameworks and embracing child-specific definitions of creativity, educators, curriculum designers, policymakers, and researchers can collectively promote creativity and enrich digital learning and play for young children.

Innovative Interdisciplinary Approaches: Frontline Chinese Teaching Practices in the Digital Age

This article examines the integration of interdisciplinary thinking within the Chinese language curriculum in middle schools during the digitalization of education, particularly in the context of the 2022 edition of the "Chinese Curriculum Standards for Compulsory Education." The focus is on the current trends in interdisciplinary teaching, using case studies to explore how teachers can leverage interdisciplinary knowledge to enhance students' understanding of the Chinese language curriculum amidst digital transformation. The article underscores the significance of interdisciplinary thinking in Chinese education, highlighting its practical applications in areas such as blackboard design and overall lesson planning. By incorporating the international features of the Qingbaijiang District, it presents case studies that further illustrate the role of interdisciplinary thinking in advancing international education. The article aims to align theory with practice, adapt to the demands of educational digitalization, and concludes that interdisciplinary thinking effectively promotes subject integration, complements educational digitalization, enriches teaching content, strengthens students' global awareness, and lays a solid foundation for their comprehensive development and future career planning.

Research on the Impact of Teachers' Creative Thinking in Interdisciplinary Art and Science Education on Students' Comprehensive Competences in Higher Education

Research on the Impact of Teachers' Creative Thinking in Interdisciplinary Art and Science Education on Students' Comprehensive Competences in Higher Education

Computational thinking with Scratch or App Inventor in primary education

<p>Computational thinking (CT) is increasingly encouraged in subjects such as technology and digitalisation, and robotics. The effect on the development of generic competencies is of interest. This study investigates the use and effect of Scratch and App Inventor on the development of skills and competencies associated with CP (self-efficacy, motivation, creativity, collaborative work, algorithmic thinking, communication and social interaction) in primary education. A systematic review of articles in English and Spanish was conducted using the PRISMA statement, in the Web of Science (WOS), Dialnet and SCOPUS databases, obtaining 425 papers, from which 10 were finally selected. The results showed that both Scratch and App Inventor favour the development of skills and competencies for learning in the context of primary education and that these are underused strategies that should be promoted from the first years of compulsory education.</p>

Post-Modernism, Deconstruction of Christian Religious Education, and Cultural Projection in Central Kalimantan

The purpose of this research is to examine cultural participation in Central Kalimantan in the context of Christian education, whether as a curriculum, subject, or livelihood of Christian learning, in the midst of the postmodern wave. The aim is to explore postmodernist ideas in Christian education that are non-totalitarian, acknowledge the non-homogeneity of truth, and allow for diversity and freedom of thought. This research method prioritizes postmodernist thinking and culture in Christian religious education through a literature study. Secondary sources are taken from journal references (Scopus and Sinta) and several dissertations related to Christian education. The main sources for analysis are books by Karl Henri Nouwen, Franz-Magnis Suseno, Polanyi, and Jean-François Lyotard. The language used is clear, objective, and value-neutral, with a formal register and precise word choice. The logical structure ensures a clear and concise flow of information with causal connections between statements. The text is free from grammatical errors, spelling mistakes, and punctuation errors. The text adheres to conventional structure and formatting features, with consistent citation and footnote style. No changes in content have been made. The results indicate that postmodernism, which rejects grand narratives and totalitarianism, as well as the omission of imperialism in Christian education, plays a role in the form of a living culture in Central Kalimantan. This culture emphasizes the balance of life, respect for creation, and the ritualistic and spiritual sacredness of religion, which are reflected in education, including Christian education

Fostering STEM Learning: Exploring the Integration of Design Thinking in Islamic STEM Education

This study investigates the integration of Design Thinking in STEM education within an Islamic context, focusing on thermal packaging as a learning module. The research examines differences in STEM Interest, Design Thinking skills, and Subject Knowledge across 7th and 8th-grade students, as well as the relationships between these constructs. A quantitative approach was employed, involving 64 preparatory students from an institute of religious studies in Qatar. Participants engaged in a Design Thinking-based STEM workshop on thermal packaging, followed by a comprehensive survey assessing the three key constructs. The Independent-Samples Mann-Whitney U Test revealed no significant differences between grade levels for STEM Interest (U = 424.500, p = .434), Design Thinking skills (U = 494.000, p = .843), or Subject Knowledge (U = 469.500, p = .873). However, bivariate correlation analysis showed strong positive relationships among the constructs for both grade levels. For 7th-grade students, STEM Interest and Design Thinking Skills were strongly correlated (r = 0.856), while 8th-grade students showed a robust correlation between Design Thinking Skills and Subject Knowledge (r = 0.884). These findings suggest that integrating Design Thinking approaches in STEM education within an Islamic context can effectively enhance students' interest, skills, and knowledge simultaneously. The study highlights the potential of Design Thinking-based STEM workshops to create a synergistic learning environment that aligns with Islamic principles and values while preparing students for contemporary challenges. The research contributes to the growing body of literature on culturally responsive STEM education and provides insights for educators seeking to bridge traditional Islamic teachings with modern technological advancements.

Konsep Pemikiran Pendidikan Islam Abdullah Nashih Ulwan dan Ahmad Hassan serta Relevansinya dengan Pendidikan Saat Ini

Abdullah Nashih Ulwan and Ahmad Hassan are prominent thinkers in Islamic education who have long been involved in the field. Many of their works have been translated into Indonesian and can be studied and used as references. According to both, the concept of good education is one that produces children who are obedient and diligent in carrying out Allah's commands and avoiding His prohibitions, based on Islamic values, and embracing Islam as their religion. They also emphasize that the foundation of all educational activities should be the Qur'an and Hadith rather than other sources. They advocate for a curriculum that is integrated and comprehensive, with the Qur'an and Hadith as the primary sources in its formulation. The thoughts of Abdullah Nashih Ulwan and Ahmad Hassan are highly relevant to contemporary education, aiming to create education with the primary goal of fostering students to embrace monotheism, derive all sources from Islamic teachings, and cultivate students' morals so that their interactions do not deviate from Islamic guidance.

Evaluation in the Context of Early Language Education Activities

A subject around which a series of specialized debates revolve is evaluation, which is attributed the quality of being an integrative element of the educational process, alongside teaching and learning. In the context of current pedagogical thinking, evaluation is an action focused on the child's learning process, engaging their cognitive processes, as well as the regulation and self-regulation of knowledge. In other words, the process of evaluation goes beyond its traditional meaning – that of control, examination, and sanction – and tends towards a dynamic focused particularly on the child's mental processes, so that they can be aware of what they learn, how they learn, and especially why they learn. In this article, we have attempted to present some aspects related to didactic evaluation seen as a validation of the correctness of educational sequences, components of the didactic process, and a means of delimiting, fixing, and intervening in educational content and objectives. Educational activity in kindergarten is complex and requires varied, multiple forms of evaluation adapted to the particularities of preschoolers. The diversity of teaching situations, as well as the multitude of evaluation objectives, require the conception and application of different strategies to mediate the evaluative process

Fostering STEM Education in Primary Schools: A Review of strategies for enhancing science skills, design thinking, and inquiry-based learning

This systematic literature review investigates strategies and findings to enhance science process skills, design thinking, and inquiry-based learning in primary education. By analyzing 9 Web of Science and Scopus databases articles, the review identifies successful pedagogical approaches, the role of technology-rich environments and scaffolding strategies, and the impact of individual differences in developing these skills. The results highlight the effectiveness of innovative pedagogy, technology-rich environments, scaffolding, and differentiated instruction. However, the review also reveals research gaps, such as the need for long-term studies, exploring the effectiveness of technology-rich environments and scaffolding strategies in the leading science program, and assessing differentiated teaching and guidance strategies.

Teachers’ understanding of assessing computational thinking

ABSTRACT Background and context Assessment is one of the challenges related to the introduction of Computational thinking (CT) in compulsory education. Objective This study aims to explore teachers’ understanding of CT assessment and the associated possibilities and challenges when CT is integrated into school subjects like mathematics and science. Method We conducted interviews with teachers from Norway and Finland, where CT is included in the national core curricula. The interviews were analysed thematically by adapting a framework for CT integration into subjects. Findings Teachers found CT assessment to be challenging, due to its broader scope beyond coding. Formative assessment was found to be suitable for assessing CT, whereas national exams could become prescriptive amid assessment uncertainties. Implications Definitions of CT and vague curricular goals are not enough for teachers to assess CT. Professional development or clearer assessment guidelines could ameliorate the difficulties with assessing CT..

Teaching value-loaded critical thinking in philosophy education

Value-loaded critical thinking refers to a combination of critical thinking, moral value development and reflection. It is important to teach value-loaded critical thinking in secondary education and philosophy seems the pre-eminent subject to do so. This article describes the theoretical foundations of value-loaded critical thinking, its educational objectives, and what is known about effective teaching strategies. Value-loaded critical thinking is best taught in teacher-led philosophical dialogues. Four design principles summarize effective teaching strategies for teaching value-loaded critical thinking in dialogue: teachers should (1) explicitly address moral values in dialogue; (2) apply moral values to engaging or realistic examples; (3) promote critical reasoning about moral values; and (4) provide opportunities for reflection.

The Analyze Comparative of Physics Computational Thinking Skill (CTs) in Experiment Laboratory

Objective: This study aimed to analyze students' response to the use of computational thinking from the perspective of computational tools and to analyze the influence of gender on students' computational thinking skills. Method: Research design using a comparative approach with data collection techniques involved a survey using a Likert scale questionnaire comprising 25 items, covering five dimensions of computational thinking skills: abstraction, decomposition, algorithm thinking, evaluation, and generalization. The study subjects involved five classes: physics, physics education, geography, mining engineering, and vocational-technical education, focusing on students' ability to analyze data using JASP and IBM SPSS. The data analyze methods included: (1). Comparative Analyze; (2). Correlation analyzes (Spearman); (3). Chi-square test. Finding: The results showed that the computational thinking skills of students from various classes varied, with significant correlations between the skill dimensions. Physics and Physics Education stood out with exemplary achievements, while Geography and Mining Engineering also showed good progress. The vocational-technical education program displayed nearly perfect correlations in all aspects of computational thinking skills. Meanwhile, from the gender aspect, gender significantly influenced computational thinking skills (Sig<0.00). The analyze highlighted the differences in computational thinking skills between classes and the significant influence of gender. Implication: This emphasized the importance of developing computational thinking skills in higher education and the need for inclusive approaches to enhance computational excellence among students. The implications of this study give valuable insights for improving the teaching of computational thinking in physics education. Steps that might be addressed include identifying and enhancing weak components, such as abstraction and generalization, and using particular tactics to increase students' knowledge.

Critical Thinking in Education: Skills and Strategies

Critical Thinking in Education: Skills and Strategies

Development of Scientific Thinking in Contemporary University Education: An Amplified Analysis

The present paper elucidates the issue of developing scientific thinking in contemporary university education systematically, taking into account certain principles. The problem of forming scientific thinking in university education resides in two aspects. The first is related to students, their attitudes, skills, and motivation to develop scientific thinking. The second aspect concerns the ability of highly qualified teaching staff to ensure optimal development of scientific thinking in students. In this context, several internal and external factors contributing to the development of scientific thinking in university education are presented. As a result, three directions of intervention are proposed to shape scientific thinking at the initial and continuous training stage. As a basis, the analysis of the Domain-Specific Learning Model is proposed, which would allow students to assimilate scientific concepts limited to the field of their studies.

Reflections: enhancing critical thinking in science education by implementing philosophy elements into training.

In this work, I describe the trajectory of philosophy and science as separate disciplines from their early days as quite overlapping fields to their clear divergence in the latest centuries. From personal experience, I discuss the benefits of exposure to philosophy and closely related courses in undergraduate studies and bring to the forefront the positive aspects of integrating philosophy of science courses in graduate science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) curriculum. I also briefly offer some additional steps institutions can take to foster unity between areas of science and philosophy by incorporating interdisciplinary activities.

The System Architecture-Function-Outcome Framework for Fostering and Assessing Systems Thinking in First-Year STEM Education and Its Potential Applications in Case-Based Learning

Systems thinking is crucial for understanding and solving complex problems and is considered an important thinking skill in engineering. Active learning is considered an effective approach for fostering STEM students’ systems thinking. However, viable methods for teaching and assessing systems thinking with active learning across STEM disciplines, particularly in first-year undergraduate education, are still under-researched. In this paper, we introduce a research-based framework named System Architecture-Function-Outcome to help first-year STEM instructors both foster and assess students’ introductory systems thinking. To conduct an initial evaluation of the framework’s suitability in active learning settings, we designed a directed case-based learning assignment with an adapted article and a rubric for assessing ‘introductory systems thinking’, as defined in the framework. We deployed the assignment among 84 first-year STEM students and successfully tested its inter-rater reliability, with 75–100% inter-rater agreement across all assessment criteria. We discuss the implications of our results on fostering and assessing first-year STEM students’ systems thinking, and outline examples for potential applications of the framework, pending further validation, in case-based learning settings of varying degrees of learner autonomy, from lecture-based to problem-based learning.

The place of microlearning in foreign language teaching methodology: historiographic study

Introduction. This study investigates the evolution of language teaching methodology in Russia and Western countries over time, with a focus on analysing the features of the microlearning concept as it relates to the everchanging landscape of language education. Aim. The aim of the study is to examine the development and evolution of foreign language teaching methodology in Russia and Western countries, with a particular focus on the Russian context. By conducting a thorough review of relevant scientific and professional literature, we aim to trace the progression of methodology in general, identify prevailing trends in language teaching, and evaluate the role of microlearning in the contemporary language education framework. Research methods. In order to gain a comprehensive understanding of the topic, the study employed historiographic analysis, which entails a systematic review of relevant literature, data collection, and data analysis. Results. Our study has uncovered that both in Russia and Western countries, there is a rich historical background for methodological thinking in language education. The study also revealed that language teaching methodologies have evolved to include a diverse range of novel approaches based on societal demand. Our findings suggest that microlearning, which is a recent addition to language education methodologies, is gaining popularity as a teaching method, while some modern foreign language teaching models have already incorporated the use of microlearning tools and strategies. Conclusion. In spite of microlearning being gradually implemented in language education, there is still a need for theoretical and practical research to refine and develop this method for effective language learning. The findings presented in this article can be used as a basis for further development of the microlearning concept as a distinct educational approach in language instruction.