Online learning & critical thinking

Human and social sciences are spheres where critical thinking is a necessity. Without it, those fields would not be able to grow and develop.

I believe that many academics were sceptical about the existence of critical thinking in the online learning model because of multiple reasons:

1. People tend to stick with the familiar. We all know how traditional education functions and what are the benefits of face-to-face education. That is our comfort zone. I am not surprised why online learning model arouses a question - How can we discuss effectively and communicate our critical view of a certain issue if we are on the other side of the screen.

2. Relationship "teacher-student" and "student-student" is important. It may be difficult to maintain a natural relationship using technology only. Why is this important for critical thinking? In order to question some beliefs or just to express an opinion, one must feel safe to do it. A student may refrain from doing these things if he feels that it may be rebutted without wider explanation or even ignored. Nonverbal speech is something that builds the relation and trust among people and we do not have it in the online learning environment.

3. Communication is slower. For example - in the traditional environment, a student can receive instant feedback from professor or peers, while in an online environment, there is no rule how soon the feedback will be given (unless there is a live online session at the moment). Also, it is unknown how far the discussion will go (for example - maybe it will be insufficiently elaborated). Critical thinking develops during communication, hence communication must be effective and efficient.

4. Structure of the online course is complex. If we want to grow a student's critical thinking, an online course must be well crafted - it must include a wide variety of learning materials, learning methods and types of assessment. We have to recognize what is best for the development of critical thinking.

5. Giving feedback. I believe that academics were concerned also regarding how will teacher manage to give feedback to every student for every task he accomplished or to answer to every aroused question. Engagement of teacher on online learning environment must be high.

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TED. (2012, August 1). Daphne Koller: What we're learning from online education [Video]. YouTube. www.youtube.com/watch?v=U6FvJ6jMGHU