Share Paper: Learner Engagement in an Online Graduate Teacher Education Course Designed to Foster Critical Thinking

  1. Joyce Miller, Texas A&M University-Commerce, United States
Wednesday, March 8 3:20-3:40 PM Capitol G

Abstract: What types of discussion prompts trigger critical thinking in an online teacher education graduate class? What types of discussion prompts cause in-service teachers to connect, to apply and to create novel ideas? A qualitative analysis of the discussion prompts and posts from selected online teacher education courses taught since 2007 was conducted. Edward DeBono's Six Thinking Hats strategy was used to classify the discussion posts. Application of DeBono’s strategy revealed that discussion prompts designed to yield critical thinking accomplished its purpose. The application of Edward DeBono’s Six Thinking Hats resulted in the demonstration of how teachers can use the strategy ...