Introduction to Part IV – fostering critical thinking in different classroom settings

Jonathan Olsen and Vivienne Born

Chapter 13 in Teaching Critical Thinking in Political Science, 2025, pp 130-132 from Edward Elgar Publishing

Abstract: This chapter introduces our section on critical thinking in different classroom settings. Many higher education instructors today face one or more problematic conditions in the classroom – issues like large class sizes or unprepared students that make it impossible to utilize a classical, seminar-style model of instruction. The two chapters in this section offer innovative strategies for moving away from a strict lecture and guided discussion model of learning and toward one that engages students dynamically, regardless of classroom size or level of student preparation. The contributors in this section utilize different strategies to promote active learning in their classrooms. The first advocates for a team-based activity approach, focusing on group work to increase engagement, while the second makes extensive use of in-class writing exercises to promote habitual reflection. Both find that incorporating pre-planned active learning activities helps stimulate students’ development of critical thinking skills.

Keywords: Critical thinking; Large classrooms; Scaffolding; Team-based activities; In-class writing (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
ISBN: 9781035327539
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