November 19, 2008

Thinking Critically About Teaching Critical Thinking

by Zaid Ali Alsagoff, in Zaid Learn under the original title Coaching Critical Thinking to Think Creatively!

ONCE UPON A TIME ….

A long time ago (early 2007) in a galaxy far away (Malaysia), there was a little boy (34 years old) who happened to be me. This little boy was suddenly entrusted to transform a dying course at the University entitled ‘Critical Thinking’. Here I was leading a Learning and Teaching Unit (in the Quality Assurance department) facilitating change and improvements to our e-learning approach, and managing a University wide ‘Thinking Skills Infusion Programme’ (TSIP). Although, I had trained many lecturers, senior lecturers and professors in using technology to facilitate learning, I had ironically never had any real experience in managing an actual course at the University.

Now, one of the leaders from our academic world figured rightly out that perhaps I needed some real experience to understand what it is like to be a lecturer, before having the right to lecture to lecturers on how to teach and facilitate effective learning (which makes perfect sense!). Also, since I had been managing the TSIP programme for over six (6) months, the “Critical Thinking’ course would be the perfect challenge and opportunity to test all my untested theories and suggestions on effective learning.

In a nutshell, I was asked to lead and transform the ‘Critical Thinking’ course, which is a requirement for all undergraduate students.

Click on the following link to read more of Coaching Critical Thinking to Think Creatively!

Filed under: Coaching,Pedagogy,Training/Education

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