During our production classes, the students have to show their " battle plan" which they write after the Instructors demo the day before.This exercise requires them to use their critical thinking skills.
I feel that critical thinking is key. We instill a proccess that will be applied in the auto repair industry. Our students will take this proccess and apply it to the vehicle. They must demonstrate critical thinking skills for the correct steps in the proccess. As I observe the proccess I will ask open end questions about what they are accomplishing. There responce is part of my evaluation. Great course.
In the Electrical courses that I teach, I constantly stress to my students the importance of critical thinking skills. When they are working on a lab exercise I remind them to think as well as understand the tasks they are perfoming and not just completing them just for a grade.
I did something similar in a Career Development class-students loved it.
I teach a Mental Health class for Human Services students. Every student is given an article to read (the article will deal with a mental illness - ex Bipolar). One student is considered the "point-person" for that article and is in charge of leading discussion on the article and providing other information regarding the disorder. The follow-up with a paper on how they prepared, how the discussion went, etc. I was surprised how much the students really liked doing this. I had one particularly "shy" student who excelled at this assignment and it really boosted her self-confidence.
Hi lilia,
Case studies, scenarios, role playing, and mock learning are my favorites for generating critical thinking as well as analytical thinking. Students also have to use problem solving with these activities as well.
Patricia Scales
When teaching the novice dental hygiene student to apply the information learned to patient care has always been a challenge. I found that during pre-clinic sessions role playing with different case study scenarios and having the student respond following a clinical map thought process has helped. But do encourage additional critical thinking by asking other students "would they have treated the patient any differently." This really can get the discussion going and point brought home.
Hi Edward,
I love how you make your students think on their own. We need to promote more critical thinking from our students. We are not going to be with our students on the job. They have to think for themselves.
Patricia Scales
Hi Sheila,
Case studies are very effective in preparing students for things they will encounter in the real world. Students really have to do a lot of thinking when it comes to case studies because the answer is not in the book.
Patricia Scales
Hi Claire,
Students really have to use their own knowledge/experience with case studies. Case studies are good in preparing students for the real world. Students will encounter various situations in the real world.
Patricia Scales
I utilize the use of Case Studies to promote active learning. Following a short lecture format, students are given a case study of a mock patient to discuss. This has worked well in the promotion of student learning.
I teach a culinary course, and I challenge my students regarding different cooking methodologies vs. different cuts of meat and why this occurs, why certain items will yield one result and not another. My reasoning for this is that one day when they are in a management role, I want them to think about the hows and whys so they can give an answer, rather than me giving it to them and when they are asked why, the answer they give is "Because the chef at school said so". I strongly encourage critical thinking, since it is skill that will be necessary and evolve throughout their lives, regardless of their chosen profession.
Hi Connie,
Our students need to learn how to be more resourceful. This activity prepares the students for the real world.
Patricia Scales
Hi Tim,
This is a super way to get students exposed to what they will encounter on the job. Students enjoy this type of learning.
Patricia Scales
Accountants not only compile accounting information, they have to present it to others who are not financial experts.
I think that using case studies is a great way to get students to hone their critical thinking skills.
Facts of the case are presented and students are asked to answer questions or justify a position taken.
It really gets them thinking and it's very challenging because often there is no obvious best answer.
I put my class in groups and have them learn together how to do some simple tests like Strep quick vue, read directions and and learn how to perform the test and then discuss the outcome as a whole. This teaches them to use critical thinking when in the work field and have to learn how to perform skills not taught in school, and how to utilize rescources available to them.
We use critical thinking skills in a fun way in our Advanced Diagnosis course. The instructor sets faults in the live running training aids and gives the team of 3 to 4 students the symptoms or concern just as a customer or the service manager would in the real shop. The students have to troubleshoot the vehicle and give a full report back to the instructor on the needed correction. The instructor will role play with the students to reinforce their decisions as factual. These exercises are great training for the students confidence and critical thinking skills for the future.
Hi Maikel,
Case studies are great for generating critical thinking. You really pointed out information that requires high level thinking. I can tell you do a fine job to prepare your students for their careers.
Patricia Scales
Hi Cheryl,
This serves as a great way to prepare students for what they will encounter on the job.
Patricia Scales
Hi Eric,
This is a great way to also get students exposed to things that they will encounter on the job!
Patricia Scales
