Abstract

OLIVARES OLIVARES, Silvia Lizett  and  HEREDIA ESCORZA, Yolanda. Development of Critical Thinking in Settings of Problem-based Learning among Students in Higher Education. RMIE [online]. 2012, vol.17, n.54, pp.759-778. ISSN 1405-6666.

Problem-based learning is a teaching technique that seeks to promote critical thinking. The current study consisted of comparing the levels of critical thinking obtained on Facione's (2000) California Critical Thinking Skills Test (CCTST-2000) by students in the health sector, who had been taught through problem-based learning, versus students in the same school who had not been exposed to this teaching technique. The results of newly enrolled and graduating students were compared. Although the literature review showed little evidence of a relation between problem-based learning and critical thinking, the results of this study show higher levels of critical thinking among students who were taught in educational settings that consider problem-based learning. An additional finding was greater balance in the development of inductive and deductive thinking among students taught with the teaching technique of problem-based learning.

Keywords : higher education; critical thinking; learning strategies; medical education; problem-based learning; Mexico.

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