In the later years of undergraduate study, students read, process, and evaluate primary literature within specific fields of study. Shifting from textbooks to the vast amounts of peer-reviewed current literature can be difficult for students. This article details an innovative approach to helping students successfully make this transition through…

This study aimed at evaluating how students perceive the linguistic quality and scientific accuracy of ChatGPT responses to physics comprehension questions. A total of 102 first- and second-year physics students were confronted with three questions of progressing difficulty from introductory mechanics (rolling motion, waves, and fluid dynamics).…

Survey research tested the hypothesis that teachers support less rigorous curriculum for English language learners (ELLs) than for general-education (GE) students. Participating teachers worked in urban schools with large populations of ELLs. Teachers rated descriptions of instructional activities that differed in demand for critical thinking…

Purpose: To promote gains in cognitive complexity (measured by integrative complexity, IC) associated with recognition of validity in others' viewpoints/values, supporting peaceful conflict reduction. Design: Assessment of effectiveness of "Living Well with Difference" (LWWD) course designed to promote critical thinking about contested…

This report presents the findings from a United Kingdom pilot of selected questions from the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). 8,582 responses were gathered from nine institutions in Spring/Summer 2013. Also available to download are a full report of the cognitive testing by researchers from King's College London, a set of…

This study is based on our belief that mathematics should be challenging in any classroom and that mathematical challenge is among the central factors that determine the quality of mathematics lessons. Choosing challenging mathematical problem for the students is central in teachers' work while their conception of mathematical challenge can…

This report describes the design of a test of one aspect of critical thinking ability, the ability to correctly appraise observations. Intended for classroom use with senior high school students, the 50 item Test on Appraising Observations is based on a comprehensive set of principles modified from Robert Ennes' conception of good observation…