Using Active Learning to Enhance Critical Learning | Origin: EL113
This is a general discussion forum for the following learning topic:
Active Learning in an Online Environment --> Using Active Learning to Enhance Critical Learning
Post what you've learned about this topic and how you intend to apply it. Feel free to post questions and comments too.
This module focused on the differences between cooperative learning, collaborative learning, and problem-based learning. All can be done virtually to enhance critical thinking skills. I intend to use this to enhance the critical thinking skills of nurses preparing to take the NCLEX.
This module has deepened my understanding of collaborative and problem-based learning (PBL) as effective tools for fostering critical thinking in online environments. I learned that PBL encourages students to engage with real-world scenarios, which helps them integrate prior knowledge while developing innovative solutions. I intend to apply this by creating collaborative activities that encourage students to solve problems together and critically analyze different perspectives.
Critical thinking is one of the most challenging skills for learners to master, so active learning techniques must be engaged to promote this
Peer/Self reflection and "expert for a day" are incorporated in my style. To check knowledge, I ask the students to teach in their own words.
I do not think I have given the importance of critical thinking enough emphasis in an online environment. Giving the students active problems to solve rather than easy test-like review questions seems much more effective.
I love the idea of using real-life examples when teaching students how to use problem-based learning techniques in the material they are learning. This can help to engage and unite students on common issues and set the stage for them to use their newfound skills and apply them to classroom materials.
There are various types of learning that can be effective for students. Getting students together to learn in small groups in one of many techniques. Two examples of group based work are peer reflections and be the expert, which literally means allowing the students to be the expert in the specific topic at hand.
As instructors/ facilitators it is important to enhance students to utilize their critical thinking skills to help bridge the gap between what they are learning in theory and clinicals. Critical thinking skills helps the student engage in activities that will help them understand the material from a different perspective
Creating opportunities for critical thinking through group work, projects, and discussions are all great ways to keep students engaged. It is really important for students to be able to approach a problem by listening to their peers and being open minded.
Critical Thinking can be done through discussion, peer reviews and thinking outside of the norm. Lots of research and note taking, then put it all together and how would a critical thinker comes out with new idea to implement new strategies, they will have to be creative. Encouraging students to be explorers, mentoring them and guiding them help the outcome.
In an online environment, the instructor should provide opportunity for the students to critically think, the ability to build team work, and be in charge of how they will be successful. Proposing a problem to the students and have them work through and find the best course of how to solve said problem. Ask open ended questions to help facilitate critical thinking. Instructors need to realize they can learn from the student as a student can learn from the instructor.
Reflecting back to when I was completing my masters degree, I remember wondering why I had to write, what felt like a million, peer reviewed research papers. I now realize that it was almost exclusively to allow me to develop my critical thinking skills, in an active learning environment.
Active learning includes collaborative learning, cooperative learning, and problem solving. Each of these help with people skills, positive interactions, and help facilitate critical thinking. Taking notes during lecture does little to engage the brain. Use of technology can be beneficial. I like the idea of flipping the classroom where students are provided the answers in advance and should come up with the questions.
Critical thinking isn't easy for many students; they need to do more than just listen. They must actively read, write, discuss, and engage in problem-solving with their peers.
This section made me think about the fact that many students are now "digital natives" and have grown up their whole lives surrounded by technology, and that I must consider that, but I must balance that with the older students I have in my courses.
I am impressed by the versatility of wikis and their use in active learning and how they can facilitate self-reflection in students, understanding of themselves and their capacity and progress in their career.
I would apply it by encouraging its use in discussion forums.
Critical thinking skills will be utilized by every student at some point in their career. It is helpful to develop and strengthen those skills now so the student is ready to think independently to solve problems. Which leads me to problem based learning which teaches students to solve problems. Giving them real life scenarios to solve in small groups might be a fun active learning technique to help strengthen critical thinking skills.
From this module, I learned the critical thinking skills from the students point of view. From successfully evaluating differences to building rationale, I will encouraged students to think outside the box and be flexible with their ideas.
Problem based learning can teach students to critically think.
