Online Classes: Improving Critical Thinking Skills

Abstract

As online colleges continue to grow, the debate about the benefits of online classes continues. This perspective, based on personal teaching experiences, shows that when students are given a framework for thinking that assists in organizing their thinking, they are able to readily adapt to the online teaching format. The presentation of the material in the online classroom gives students a visual and hands-on experience of the organization of information. By weaving this hands-on experience with problem-solving, a framework is presented for developing a new way to think about thinking. This perspective provides college professors a template for encouraging students to use technology to develop the higher order process of critical thinking.