Utilizes a quasiexperimental design to examine the impact of microcomputer simulations on environmental problem solving by community college students. The experimental group of students (n=34) showed a highly significant improvement in problem-solving skills after being exposed to three simulation models that focused on lake pollution analysis,…

An Australian study investigated the extent to which media literacy education for secondary school students met its objectives for teaching critical thinking about mass media, both print and television. Results give insight into this cohort's ability to make sense of media messages and about differences in different demographic groups. (MSE)

Excerpts from the second edition (199) of the Association of American Colleges and Universities' report, "Integrity in the College Curriculum," describe the minimum required college curriculum to meet its objectives, which include: inquiry, critical thinking, literacy, numerical skills, historical consciousness, scientific literacy,…

Describes the use of primary source documents and maps in a seventh-grade geography class. Maintains that 90 separate topics were divided into 6 main categories for student research. Asserts that the use of primary documents encouraged the development of the students' critical thinking skills. (CFR)

This study used qualitative and quantitative methods to examine the effects on students' learning, motivation, attitude, participation, and critical thinking when prediction activities were used in teaching genetic concepts in high school biology. The prediction activities enhanced students' critical analysis, interest, and participation.…

Recommends that secondary social studies teachers help students recognize their own thought processes to develop critical thinking skills. Provides examples of applying the Social Studies Strategies Survey's cognitive strategies to case studies dealing with first amendment issues. Contends that teachers must understand their own cognitive…

A survey of approximately 60 college faculty members in several disciplines, all opposed to the Persian Gulf War, demonstrates their commitment to bringing the Gulf Crisis into the classroom democratically, not as an attempt to mobilize antiwar sentiment, but as an exercise in critical thinking. (SLD)

A study correlated the results of 25 medical school course examinations (largely multiple-choice), a standardized critical thinking inventory, undergraduate and medical school grade point averages, and medical college admissions test scores for 196 preclinical medical students. Findings suggest that objective multiple-choice examinations can at…

Recommends academic history departments review present course listings and devise more structured programs. Describes four one-semester core courses designed to promote world history perspectives. Includes a brief outline for each course. Reviews past college and university history department programs and changes in the curriculum since the 1960s.…

This series of roundtable papers explores the attempt of writing instructors to empower students by teaching them both to write within the discourse of the academic community and to write critically against it, resisting its accepted forms of thought and discourse. (CJS)

Proposes enhancing the critical thinking skills of secondary school students with learning activities centered on predicting U.S.-Philippines military bases negotiations. Explains objectives and suggests several teaching-learning activities. Lists start-up resources to support objectives and activities. (NL)

Presents a class activity that uses the dime novel in a critical mode as an avenue to increase student's knowledge of the concepts and themes of women's experiences during the nineteenth century. Provides background of the dime novel. Asks students to compose their own dime novel, and provides a student handout that outlines the process. (RW)

Describes the planning and introduction of model activities that integrate subject-specific critical thinking skills through library media skills instruction. Activities for the English curriculum are described for grades 9-12 and include the roles of the library media specialist, teachers, and students. Student reactions are also described.…

Describes a college-level psychology course in which students learn how to think about the ideas of psychology instead of memorizing psychological information. Suggests modeling of thought in lectures and other classroom activities. Recommends strategies for class discussions and student evaluation. (CFR)

Asserts that social studies teachers generally agree that critical thinking and cooperative learning skills are two primary instructional goals. Describes a class activity utilizing roleplaying and the cooperative "jigsaw" approach to study the U.S. Constitution. (CFR)