Discussion #1 Week #9

Critical Thinking and Orientation to Peer-Reviewed Scholarly Research

Online school libraries are an essential tool and learning resource for students. It’s
within these libraries that students learn the best ways to access and use quality information
and resources that will help them enhance their study and research skills. To be able to
successfully persuade students to use these resources, instructors must create discussions that
encourage student critical thinking. by doing so, encouraging students to analyze and reason
the information they need, as well, to make judgment and decisions about the information they
obtained

Therefore, being in the scenario of having to develop an online teaching strategy that
encourages student’s critical thinking skills in the first week of class through the use of the
online library, I will use debates on controversial subjects within the discipline. I will give them
the reference of a paper they need to read and debate from the information within, giving
opinions and providing examples and data to support their reasoning and opinion. By giving
them just the reference of the article, the students will be obligated to go through the library,
making them familiar with the process of searching and reading. Which involves the use of
three critical thinking processes; reasoning, making judgments and decisions and problem-
solving. Critical thinking refers to the ability to analyze information objectively and make a
reasoned judgment. Involving the evaluation of resources, such as data, facts, observable
phenomena, and research findings. Through the use of critical thinking and the use of library
resources, students focus on the processes of learning, rather than just attaining facts about
phenomena. Helping learners to create and apply new knowledge to real world-situations.

Debates on controversial subjects provide students with the opportunities to use all of
the critical skills, with emphasis on analyzing, local reasoning and discriminating. Helping
learners to be able to discuss complicated topics calmly, clearly and competently. They cultivate
persuasion skills, communication skills, to say more with fewer words. They learn to analyze
and resect others' opinions, helping them to think out of the bow. Enhancing the ability to think
and communicate clearly and quickly.

References:

Doyle, A. (2019, October 6). Critical Thinking Definition, Skills, and Examples. Retrieved from
https://www.thebalancecareers.com/critical-thinking-definition-with-examples-2063745

Richardson, J. C., & Ice, P. (2010). Investigating students' level of critical thinking across
instructional strategies in online discussions. Internet and Higher Education, 13(1–2), 52–59.
Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.