using critical learning and how to post it is important to problem solving.
I really liked the idea of using jigsaw activities, in which students bring their own pieces of knowledge together with their classmates' to solve a question or problem. I can see multiple scenarios in which I might use this type of activity, and this could be both motivating and beneficial to the students. For example, students could contribute multiple sources to a group forum for a research activity, and then they could evaluate classmates' sources and choose from among them for sources to use in a research essay. Everyone would be equally invested in finding, evaluating, and using the sources.
The statement by Mr. Bernie Dodge “thinking required while attending a lecture is low level comprehension that goes from the ear to the writing hand and then leaves the mind untouched.” was a very reflective saying. It makes you wonder how much a student is actually learning from lectures?
Critical thinking plays a huge impact in learning and applying.
I am a proponent of the PBL approach and actually use that in my classrooms.
In this module I learned different methods to measure critical thinking skills by using best practices including Cooperative learning and Problem-Solving Learning. The importance of group activity and self-reflection for students can increase their self-esteem and create a community of learners who can collectively increase their critical thinking skills. I like how the Problem Based Learning can be used to solve any problem that exists in the real world and having the students find solutions by using resources and prior knowledge, this enhances their ability to resolve issues and increases their critical thinking.
A good balance integration of methods has a tremendous value which is also dependent on appropriate methods being applied to specific courses and course material. One additional benefit of students using technology to contribute to a class would be if that is guiding, the students would then know where trusted sources of information can be found.
Critical thinking can is essential for the students to learn and apply what they've learned to different problems.
I found the mention of Second Life interesting since I used it in my doctoral degree program some 5-6 years ago. I didn't find it to be very relevant then or now, but it was interesting to consider how it might be used. I suppose were I a 'gamer' and into that sort of virtual reality stuff it might have been more applicable to my interests, but as it stood, all I took away was - 'been there and done that!"
Learning all about different methods of engaging students and encouraging active learning has greatly shaped my efforts moving forward.
I have found teaching students to be critical thinkers and to fully undestand informatiion and systems to be the biggest challenge and am constantly trying new things. A good example is teaching how pressures try to equalize and how that knowledge is applied to industry and machinery. I have found that if you keep it simple, fun, and easy to assimulate, the better they understand it.
Critical thinking can be challenging to some students. Instructor has to guide and encourage the students to trust themselves
I learned that the professor needs to do that the students used critical thinking.
Problem based learing gets the students to avtively particpate in things that matter to them.
We have really started to progress with problem based learning scenarios. It started with Covid and trying to replace our hands-on activities with activities they can do online. For example, our welding instructors had pictures of good and bad welds and had students identify which ones were bad, why/how the bad weld happened and how to fix it.
I learned that:
Problem-based learning is defined as instruction which starts with a problem. The problem can be anything,
and scenarios that exist in the real world are quite rewarding to use. Students can delve into particular topics
and build their opinions, thoughts and ideas based on their prior knowledge and course resources, as well as
the direction of the online instructor.
Problem based learning is particularly effective at getting students to think through a difficult concept.
Using active learning to enhance critical learning is so beneficial to both instructor and student. Not only are students learning through active learning, but instructors are learning as well. Students can learn without even realizing that they are learning through engagement and open communication with one another. Also, instructors can use open/ended questions rather than yes/no answers to allow the students to really think out of the box.
Critical is a great way to empower students to promote responsibility of learning. Discussion boards and group work is great but still lack the human interaction factor. I like the idea of group work but some how the online group discussion is lost on me. I feel that participation is not as productive as F2F. However, there are pros & cons to online discussion. By dictating specific parameters, online learners could have more freedom to complete the assignments assuming that time management is successful. Often time, online learners lack time management due to the fact the assumption of "too much" time left to complete an assignment. I feel for younger adults, the responsibilites of critical thinking and online discussion lack motivation vs the adult learners for the same subject matter.
Critical thinking can be an incredible useful tool to engage with for active learning but it may take some direction to cultivate it. Using collaborative and cooperative learning can help engage critical thinking and lead to fruitful discussions. There are many activities that can be used sychronously and asychronously use active learning and in particular activce learning.
