How can you teach critical thinking skills to students in a remote learning environment?

1 Use clear and relevant questions

One of the key elements of critical thinking is asking good questions. Questions can stimulate curiosity, challenge assumptions, and guide inquiry. However, not all questions are equally effective for promoting critical thinking. To teach critical thinking skills to students in a remote learning environment, you need to use clear and relevant questions that align with your learning objectives and the content you are teaching. You also need to vary the types of questions you use, such as open-ended, closed-ended, factual, inferential, and evaluative questions. You can use questions to introduce new topics, check understanding, spark discussions, and assess learning outcomes.

2 Incorporate multimedia and interactive tools

Another way to teach critical thinking skills to students in a remote learning environment is to incorporate multimedia and interactive tools into your lessons. Multimedia and interactive tools can enhance student engagement, motivation, and retention. They can also provide different perspectives, contexts, and formats for presenting and exploring information. For example, you can use videos, podcasts, infographics, simulations, games, and quizzes to present and reinforce key concepts, illustrate real-world examples, and test knowledge and skills. You can also use multimedia and interactive tools to create opportunities for students to practice critical thinking skills, such as comparing and contrasting, analyzing and synthesizing, and applying and transferring.

3 Encourage collaboration and peer feedback

A third way to teach critical thinking skills to students in a remote learning environment is to encourage collaboration and peer feedback. Collaboration and peer feedback can foster social learning, communication, and reflection. They can also expose students to different viewpoints, opinions, and experiences that can enrich their critical thinking. For example, you can use online platforms, such as Google Docs, Padlet, or Flipgrid, to create collaborative activities, such as brainstorming, mind mapping, or debating. You can also use online platforms, such as Peergrade, Peerceptiv, or FeedbackFruits, to create peer feedback activities, such as peer review, peer assessment, or peer coaching.

4 Provide scaffolding and modeling

A fourth way to teach critical thinking skills to students in a remote learning environment is to provide scaffolding and modeling. Scaffolding and modeling can support student learning, especially for complex or unfamiliar tasks. They can also demonstrate how to apply critical thinking skills in different situations and scenarios. For example, you can use scaffolding techniques, such as breaking down tasks into smaller steps, providing hints and prompts, and offering examples and templates. You can also use modeling techniques, such as thinking aloud, showing your own work, and sharing your own thought processes and strategies.

5 Monitor and adjust your instruction

A fifth way to teach critical thinking skills to students in a remote learning environment is to monitor and adjust your instruction. Monitoring and adjusting your instruction can help you assess student progress, identify strengths and weaknesses, and provide timely and specific feedback. They can also help you tailor your instruction to meet the diverse needs and preferences of your students. For example, you can use formative assessment tools, such as polls, surveys, or quizzes, to collect data on student learning and engagement. You can also use adaptive learning tools, such as Khan Academy, Coursera, or Duolingo, to customize the content, pace, and difficulty of your instruction.

6 Promote a growth mindset and a culture of curiosity

A sixth way to teach critical thinking skills to students in a remote learning environment is to promote a growth mindset and a culture of curiosity. A growth mindset is the belief that intelligence and abilities can be developed through effort and feedback. A culture of curiosity is the environment that encourages and rewards curiosity, exploration, and discovery. Both a growth mindset and a culture of curiosity can enhance student motivation, confidence, and resilience. They can also foster a positive attitude towards learning and critical thinking. For example, you can promote a growth mindset and a culture of curiosity by praising effort and improvement, not just results; by providing constructive and actionable feedback, not just grades; and by encouraging questions, not just answers.