Critical Thinking Development in Adult Learners through Problem-Based Learning in an Online Setting

Abstract

This paper analyzes the outcomes of the implementation of the "Critical Thinking" course, developed for the "Yandex.Practicum" platform. The course is designed within the paradigm of problem-based learning and is delivered in an online format, incorporating both synchronous and asynchronous components. It is targeted at an adult audience and includes tasks from a general professional context. The course development was preceded by a review of research on the formation of critical thinking in adults, which identified the advantages and disadvantages of using problem-based learning for this purpose. To assess the level of critical thinking, a test was developed and validated based on the evidence-centered design methodology. The study was conducted using an intervention model with a pretest and posttest, without a control group. During the final testing (n=184), significant changes were observed in the development of critical thinking components among participants who completed the course: information analysis (+0.12), logic (+0.1), and argumentation (+0.17). The data obtained support the hypothesis regarding the effectiveness of this course in developing critical thinking in adults. Further research using the developed tools will help clarify the impact of specific pedagogical tools and learning formats on the development of critical thinking.