ERIC Number: EJ1057053
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013
Pages: 8
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2153-2516
EISSN: N/A
Enhancing Critical Thinking across the Undergraduate Experience: An Exemplar from Engineering
Ralston, Patricia A.; Bays, Cathy L.
American Journal of Engineering Education, v4 n2 p119-126 2013
Faculty in a large, urban school of engineering designed a longitudinal study to assess the critical thinking skills of undergraduate students as they progressed through the engineering program. The Paul-Elder critical thinking framework was used to design course assignments and develop a holistic assessment rubric. The curriculum was re-designed to include deliberate teaching of critical thinking and assessment in at least one key course for every student each year of their undergraduate curriculum. The critical thinking scores for seniors using the holistic rubric were significantly higher than their baseline critical thinking scores as freshmen (p = 0.004). This case-study can serve as an exemplar for other units, departments, or programs to model or replicate.
Descriptors: Critical Thinking, Thinking Skills, Undergraduate Students, Engineering Education, Longitudinal Studies, Assignments, Scoring Rubrics, Holistic Approach, College Curriculum, Curriculum Development, College Seniors, College Freshmen, Case Studies, Statistical Analysis, College Outcomes Assessment, Student Evaluation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A