Impact of integrated explicit instruction on development of critical thinking skills and dispositions among adolescents

Abstract

Critical thinking is an essential skill that is required for survival in the twenty first newlinecentury. Educational institutions are gearing up to align their curriculum to ensure the development of critical thinking skills and dispositions among their candidates. However, there are few empirical studies that layout a clear road map of instructional strategies for the teaching of critical thinking. Given that adolescents are the most receptive to neurobiological skill and disposition development and that Literature is one of the best platforms that connects to real life, this research uses the educational design research method to develop an Integrated Explicit Instruction (IEI) module that could be used in English classes to teach adolescents critical thinking skills and develop in them critical thinking dispositions. This research not only bridges the gap in an empirically tested instructional strategy to teach critical thinking but also lays the foundation for further longitudinal studies that could measure the development of critical thinking skills and dispositions long term in participants who have been exposed to the intervention.