Skip to main content

Changing Mindsets: Moving from the Acceptance of Facts to Critical Thinking

  • Chapter
Book cover Universities, the Citizen Scholar and the Future of Higher Education

Part of the book series: Palgrave Critical University Studies ((PCU))

Abstract

Most students who come to my first-year Introductory Life Sciences (ILS) classes are used to rote learning facts and hold the view that this ability is the most important aspect of their learning. The questions that this chapter seeks to answer are, why is this the case, and what strategies can be used to change their mindsets so that they become critical thinkers?

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 79.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Hardcover Book
USD 99.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Preview

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

Unable to display preview. Download preview PDF.

References

  • Bazerman, C. and Russell, D.R. (eds). (1994). Landmark Essays on Writing across the Curriculum. Davis, CA: Hermagoras Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bernstein, B. (1999). Vertical and horizontal discourse: an essay. British Journal of the Sociology of Education, 20, 157–173.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Brenner, E.A. (2013). Giving every student a ‘voice’ – The use of an interactive classroom technology to track and promote individual student learning in large classes. In Large-class Pedagogy: Interdisciplinary Perspectives for Quality Higher Education, ed. David J. Hornsby, Ruksana Osman, Jacqueline de Matos-Ala, 63–78. Stellenbosch: SUN Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Brenner, E.A. and Nichols, P. (2013). Critical Engagement through Writing (CEW): Using writing to promote critical thinking in large classes. In Large-class pedagogy: Interdisciplinary Perspectives for Quality Higher Education, ed. David J. Hornsby, Ruksana Osman, Jacqueline de Matos-Ala, 97–112. Stellenbosch: SUN Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Bloom, D.S. and Krathwohl, D.R. (1956). Taxonomy of Educational Objectives: The Classification of Educational Goals. Handbook I: Cognitive Domain.

    Google Scholar 

  • Craig, A. (1996). Education for all. South African Journal of Higher Education 10 (2), 47–55.

    Google Scholar 

  • Cross, M., Mungadi, R., and Rouhani, S. (2002). From policy to practice: curriculum reform in South African education. Comparative Education, 38 (2), 171–187.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Facione, PA. (1990). Critical Thinking: A Statement of Expert Consensus for Purposes of Educational Assessment and Instruction Executive Summary ‘The Delphi Report’. Sciences New York, 423(c), 0–19. Retrieved from http://www.insightassessment.com/pdf_files/DEXadobe.PDF, accessed 15 September 2014.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lombard, K. and Grosser, M. (2008). Critical thinking: are the ideals of OBE failing us or are we failing the ideals of OBE? South African Journal of Education, 28, 561–579.

    Google Scholar 

  • Jansen, J.D. (1998). Curriculum reform in South Africa: a critical analysis of outcomes-based education[1]. Cambridge Journal of Education, 28 (3), 321–331.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Todd, A. and Mason, M. (2005). Enhancing learning in South African schools: Strategies beyond outcomes-based education. International Journal of Educational Development, 25, 221–235.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Authors

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

Copyright information

© 2016 Elisabeth Brenner

About this chapter

Cite this chapter

Brenner, E. (2016). Changing Mindsets: Moving from the Acceptance of Facts to Critical Thinking. In: Arvanitakis, J., Hornsby, D.J. (eds) Universities, the Citizen Scholar and the Future of Higher Education. Palgrave Critical University Studies. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137538697_11

Download citation

Publish with us

Policies and ethics