REVIEW AN ARTICLE

 

Promoting students’ critical thinking through online learning in higher education: Challenges and strategies

The article discusses critical thinking in the field of education. The topic of critical thinking in education is covered in the article. The term "critical thinking" is defined throughout the article in a number of different ways, one of which is the capacity for argument and judgment. People with critical thinking abilities are able to discriminate between legitimate and unjustified arguments and base their conclusions accordingly. To accomplish learning goals, critical thinking is essential in the field of education, particularly in higher education. The responsibilities of students and teachers are also significantly influenced by critical thinkers. 

Today's world has seen the value of online education. The article claims that there are several definitions of online learning, including "distance learning" and "technology-based learning." Since students have more time in online classes than traditional ones, critical thinking skills may be developed more effectively through online learning. Students who learn online have access to a wide range of internet resources that can aid in their quest for novel insights. Additionally, studies have demonstrated the various advantages of online education for pupils. Online debates allow students to fight and share ideas, which has been shown to improve critical thinking. Additionally, online learning makes greater use of the cognitive domain. Because they may deliberate more before answering questions, students who take classes online feel more at ease and more engaged.

The development of critical thinking in distant learning also presents a number of difficulties, particularly for educators in the socio-cultural area. Students are used to studying socially by engaging with others, but online learning exposes them to a greater degree to the digital world. The socio-cultural aspects of education must be acknowledged and taken into consideration. According to research, because Asian students' critical thinking methods differ from those of other students, they may find it difficult to reflect on analyses performed in English. Infrastructure is a problem for educators as well since many of them are not tech-savvy and online learning, which has gained popularity recently, requires it.

Critical thinking instruction is challenging to implement in Indonesian schools. This might be linked to the teacher-centered nature of the educational system. This approach, known as lecture-based teaching, denies students adequate time for critical thought and has been shown to impair students' capacity for it. Additionally, English and mathematics, two courses meant to improve critical thinking, are ineffectively taught to pupils, not in Indonesia. According to research findings, which place Indonesia 38th out of 42 nations in terms of mathematical education, this is true.

In the article's conclusion, methods for integrating critical thinking into online learning are presented. Teachers are essential to the adoption of online learning. The four crucial elements of online learning are content, instructional techniques, practice examples, and feedback, according to Clark and Mayer (2008). All of these elements should help pupils develop their critical thinking skills. Students are also required to actively participate in the learning process, for example, by participating in class discussions and question-and-answer sessions. 

In conclusion, the article highlights the importance of promoting critical thinking in higher education, particularly through online learning. Critical thinking is defined as the ability to assess arguments and make informed judgments. Online learning offers unique opportunities for developing critical thinking skills, including access to diverse resources and engaging in online debates. However, challenges exist, such as the socio-cultural aspects of education and the need for tech-savvy educators. The teacher's role is crucial in integrating critical thinking into online learning, and the article suggests elements such as content, instructional techniques, practice examples, and feedback to foster critical thinking. Active student participation, such as through class discussions, is also emphasized. Overall, integrating critical thinking into online learning requires a collaborative effort between students, teachers, and the educational system.