Critical thinking in nursing involves decision making and problem solving in clinical situations that are unlike ordinary human experiences. Teaching critical thinking is a subject of intense interest among nursing educators. Faculty are using interactive assignments on the Internet, research on the Worldwide Web, and the use of e-mail to promote independent student learning, improved and increased communication, and more active participation by students.

Kowalski and Louis (2000) conducted a study comparing the critical thinking scores of students using web-based teaching strategies with the scores of students in a traditional classroom engaging in lecture and discussion, accompanied by various audiovisual aids. The results showed a slightly higher critical thinking score among the students using web-based technology.

Bonnie Duldt points out that, "As faculty, we are the very ones, to a significant degree, who are alumni of an educational system which historically has omitted the very thing we are now to teach. In fact, there is some research which shows that the critical thinking ability of the faculty was not significantly higher than that of their sophomore nursing students if age is statistically controlled as a factor." This is a sobering thought to say the least! Duldt goes on to say that fortunately nurse educators are "renaissance people" and willing to do the research needed to develop and then teach critical thinking skills. (http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/longview/ctac/winners.htm)

The literature suggests that effective critical thinking strategies are those that incorporate the case study method, questioning, active engagement, the nursing process, and research activities. These strategies can help students understand how they think.

References:

• Kowalski, S.D. & Louis, M.A. (2000). Using Computer Technology to Teach Critical Thinking. Nurse Educator, 25(5), pp 210-212.

• http://www.kcmetro.cc.mo.us/longview/ctac/winners.htm