Vieira, R. M., Tenreiro-Vieira, C., & Martins, I. P. (2011). Critical thinking: Conceptual clarification and its importance in science education. Science Education International, 22(1), 43-54.
The authors of this theoretical research article explained how critical thinking skills are crucial to develop in students within the context of science education. The authors also presented arguments as to why education should incorporate the facilitation of critical thinking in students, highlighting the relevance of critical thinking skills to promotion of scientific literacy.
The authors stated that critical thinking skills help students to be successful, because these skills are necessary in order to be a contributing citizen in a democratic society. Students need to be able to get along with one another, critically evaluate societal messages, and make rational decisions. The authors then noted that using critical thinking skills in science education allowed students to better understand the way in which science and scientific information has evolved over time and the way in which technology has influenced this change. Scientific information should be examined from different perspectives in order to gain understanding of the topic. The authors also explored critical thinking as it related to scientific literacy; the underlying skills used in critical thinking are also skills students need to develop scientific literacy.
Educators should be aware that critical thinking skills must be developed in their students, and the integration of critical thinking in the science classroom also helps to develop students’ scientific literacy. Educators can use this information by incorporating questioning of arguments and credibility, and identification of underlying assumptions or intentions into science curriculum. Through discussion and analysis of journal articles, and writing exercises, educators can develop higher level thinking skills in students.
The authors of this theoretical research article explained how critical thinking skills are crucial to develop in students within the context of science education. The authors also presented arguments as to why education should incorporate the facilitation of critical thinking in students, highlighting the relevance of critical thinking skills to promotion of scientific literacy.
The authors stated that critical thinking skills help students to be successful, because these skills are necessary in order to be a contributing citizen in a democratic society. Students need to be able to get along with one another, critically evaluate societal messages, and make rational decisions. The authors then noted that using critical thinking skills in science education allowed students to better understand the way in which science and scientific information has evolved over time and the way in which technology has influenced this change. Scientific information should be examined from different perspectives in order to gain understanding of the topic. The authors also explored critical thinking as it related to scientific literacy; the underlying skills used in critical thinking are also skills students need to develop scientific literacy.
Educators should be aware that critical thinking skills must be developed in their students, and the integration of critical thinking in the science classroom also helps to develop students’ scientific literacy. Educators can use this information by incorporating questioning of arguments and credibility, and identification of underlying assumptions or intentions into science curriculum. Through discussion and analysis of journal articles, and writing exercises, educators can develop higher level thinking skills in students.