Measuring Critical Thinking Skills in Engineering Mathematics using online forums

Abstract

The development of critical thinking skills is vital in the teaching and learning of Engineering Mathematics. Forty students of the subject were exposed to two ill structured problem solving sessions over the Blackboard discussion forums. They also attempted the CCTST (California Critical Thinking Skills Test) test to measure their general critical thinking skills prior to and after the forum sessions. The critical thinking is measured using an adapted model and the progress in the level of critical thinking is checked from first forum to the second. Statistical tests are performed to check if there is a significant progress from the pre-CCTST to the post-CCTST scores. Results indicate from the forum postings that critical thinking has progressed from first forum to the second, and results from the CCTST scores confirms significant differences.