International Journal for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Volume 2, Number 1, January 2008
Return to current issues pageResearch Article
Abstract
Full-Cycle Assessment of Critical Thinking in an Ethics and Science Course
Enhancing critical thinking skills for undergraduate students is important across the curriculum and between disciplines. We report on a method of improving critical thinking skills, which was studied through an Ethics and Science First-Year Seminar course. We used full cycle assessment over a three-year period to assess students’ development and to modify the course teaching and assignments with the goal of increasing student development of critical thinking skills. Data were obtained from student writing throughout the semester during each offering. Modest, but significant, overall gains of ~0.7 on a 4 point scale are reported between early and midterm assignments in the course using a seven trait assessment rubric. Key factors that contribute to the increase in critical thinking skills are identified including peer review, scaffolded assignments, and the use of a grading rubric for each assignment.
Keywords: Critical thinking, assessment, rubric, writing
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Jennifer Blue
bluejm@muohio.edu
I did my graduate work at the University of Minnesota, earning a M.S. in physics and a Ph.D. in physics education. I am now an Assistant Professor of Physics at Miami University. I teach introductory physics to a variety of audiences: education majors, pre-medical students, engineers, and non-science majors. I believe in keeping students as actively engaged as possible during class. My research interests are critical thinking, laboratory activities, professional development of teachers, and gender issues in the sciences. Currently I am studying critical thinking in written work, including lab reports, as well as in problem solving. In addition, I am co-facilitating an extensive professional development program for teachers.
Website: http://www.users.muohio.edu/bluejm
Beverley Taylor
taylorba@muohio.edu
I received my Ph.D. from Clemson University in quantum field theory in 1978. Currently I am Professor of Physics and Faculty Associate for Assessment at Miami University. In 1999 I was elected a Fellow of the American Physical Society in recognition of my contributions to the field of physics education. I have also received a Distinguished Service Citation from the American Association of Physics Teachers. My scholarly work includes development of curriculum materials for middle school science and investigation of issues related to the success of females in science at both middle school and college levels. Recently I have worked with department chairs on planning program assessment and with faculty on assessing and improving their teaching of critical thinking.
Jan Yarrison-Rice
Miami University
Oxford, Ohio, USA
yarrisjm@muohio.edu
I received my Ph.D. from the University of Arkansas in nonlinear optics in 1990. In fall 1990, I joined the Physics faculty at Miami University and was promoted for Full Professor in Summer 2007. My teaching interests include the use of active learning techniques in large classes and the fostering of critical thinking skills in both non-majors and majors courses. I am also concerned with the recruitment and retention of women in sciences. My current research projects are centered on the fabrication and optical characterization of nanostructures and nanoscale devices, in particular photonic band gap devices and semiconductor nanowires and their use for applications like biosensing. Website: http://www.cas.muohio.edu/~yarrisjm