How do you foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills in informatics students?

3 Provide feedback and reflection

A third way to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills is to provide feedback and reflection opportunities for students to monitor and improve their own learning. For example, you can use formative assessment, such as quizzes, polls, or peer review, to give students immediate and constructive feedback on their understanding and performance. You can also use reflective activities, such as journals, portfolios, or blogs, to encourage students to think critically about their own learning process, goals, strengths, and challenges.

4 Align learning outcomes and assessments

A fourth way to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills is to align your learning outcomes and assessments with these skills. For example, you can use Bloom's taxonomy or other frameworks to define and measure the cognitive levels of your learning outcomes, such as remembering, understanding, applying, analyzing, evaluating, or creating. You can also use rubrics or other tools to assess the quality and depth of your students' critical thinking and problem-solving skills, such as their ability to define problems, generate alternatives, select criteria, apply logic, or justify decisions.

5 Use technology and tools

A fifth way to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills is to use technology and tools that support and enhance these skills. For example, you can use online platforms, such as Moodle or Canvas, to create and manage your informatics courses, and to facilitate communication, collaboration, and feedback among students and instructors. You can also use software tools, such as Excel, R, Python, or Tableau, to enable students to manipulate, analyze, visualize, and present data and information.

6 Model and cultivate a culture of inquiry

A sixth way to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills is to model and cultivate a culture of inquiry in your informatics courses. For example, you can demonstrate your own critical thinking and problem-solving skills by asking open-ended questions, showing curiosity, exploring multiple perspectives, acknowledging uncertainty, and admitting mistakes. You can also cultivate a culture of inquiry by creating a safe and supportive learning environment, where students are encouraged to ask questions, share ideas, challenge assumptions, and respect diversity.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?