Faculty Development Workshops
   
 

Critical Thinking:
How Can We Enhance Critical Thinking and
Self-Directed Learning by Our Students?
Workshop
   
 

Duration

6 hours (full day or two half-days)
   
 

Synopsis

The workshop goal is to help faculty structure courses and day-to-day interactions with students in ways that are most likely to stimulate critical thinking and encourage self-directed learning (SDL). Workshop participants analyze the mental tasks associated with critical thinking and then compare these tasks with other types of intellectual activities by students. Participants review research findings related to the question “How do individuals acquire critical thinking skills?” and complete a self-assessment of their teaching responsibilities to determine the degree to which best practices for promoting critical thinking are embedded in their courses and interactions with students. Strategies for assessing students’ capacity for critical thinking are described, and then participants use a checklist to determine the degree to which evaluation methods measure students’ critical thinking. Activities that are most likely to promote SDL are described, and examples of dental school courses that have incorporated SDL tasks are presented. Participants conclude the program by working in teams to recommend strategies for designing courses in ways that provide opportunities for students to develop critical thinking abilities and function as self-directed learners.
   
 

Objectives

At the conclusion of this workshop, participants will be able to:

  • Explain what critical thinking is, describe intellectual tasks associated with critical thinking, and give examples of student learning activities that require critical thinking.
  • Explain what self-directed learning (SDL) is, and give examples of learning activities in which students can use SDL to achieve objectives.
  • Discuss best practices for helping students develop critical thinking and SDL, based on research evidence.
  • Guided by a checklist, self-assess their courses and day-to-day teaching interactions with students to determine the degree to which best practices for promoting critical thinking and SDL are employed.
  • Describe strategies for assessing students’ capacity for critical thinking, and use a checklist to determine the degree to which their evaluation methods measure students’ critical thinking.
  • Recommend learning activities for courses that will provide opportunities for students to develop critical thinking and use SDL to achieve learning objectives.

If you would like additional information or would like to schedule this workshop at your institution, please contact the Academy for Academic Leadership.
 

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