Developing Critical Thinking Among Sabzevar Education Department Staff
Subject Areas : Ethics and Islamic EducationBenyamin Rah-Chamandi 1 , Moslem Charabin 2 * , Mohammad Karimi 3 , Ali Maghool 4
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Keywords: Critical thinking, education, learning, educational environment, quality of education.,
Abstract :
This article examines the development of critical thinking in the context of improving educational quality in Sabzevar County. In today's world, critical thinking is recognized as a key skill in the teaching and learning process. In terms of purpose, this study is developmental and applied in nature, employing a qualitative approach; it was conducted between May and November 2024. The study population consisted of 20 experts with at least 15 years of professional experience, serving as the decision-making team for the development of critical thinking A purposive (non-random) sampling method—specifically the snowball sampling technique—was employed among the staff. The findings indicated that developing critical thinking can lead to improvements in the teaching-learning process and social skills, as well as the examination of psychological dimensions, the identification of managerial skills, the optimal use of technology by staff, and the effective transfer of these skills to students. Research findings identified the factors and indicators influencing the development of critical thinking—comprising 75 indicators organized into 15 criteria and 5 dimensions: modern educational structures, social indicators and skills, cognitive dimensions, managerial skills, and technological development. The findings indicated that fostering critical thinking can help enhance students' educational and learning capabilities. Additionally, challenges such as a lack of resources and inadequate teacher training were identified. Developing critical thinking should be prioritized within the education system to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
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