About this Presentation
This study investigated pre-service teachers’ perceptions and utilization of critical thinking in standard-based science education. A convenience sample of 120 pre-service teachers participated in the study by examining the United States’ National K-12 Science Education Standards, using the Critical Thinking Attribute Survey (CTAS) originally developed and validated by the authors to measure critical thinking attributes. The main results of the study identified the science standards that exhibit critical thinking from the pre-service teachers’ perspectives. The process-oriented standards, i.e., the inquiry, nature of science, technology, personal and societal perspectives had higher means than the content standards, of life, physical and Earth sciences. Several specific standard objectives are presented from top and bottom attribution to critical thinking. For example, standard benchmarks that are rated the highest included: think critically and logically to establish relationships between evidence and explanations; design and conduct scientific experiments; and acquire the abilities necessary to do inquiry investigations. Examples of the least standard benchmarks included: structure and function in living systems, transfer of energy, and properties and changes of matter. Discussion is provided to connect results with the current literature review and models of critical thinking, along with recommendations and implications to teacher education and K-12 science education practice and research.
What Will You Learn
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Instructor(s)
Sufian A. Forawi
Ms Alka Wadhwa
Alka Wadhwa is an experienced consultant and process improvement expert with over 24 years of expertise in the Theory of Constraints (TOC), Lean Six Sigma, and organizational performance optimization. She has successfully led projects in healthcare, financial services, and manufacturing, driving significant improvements such as a 67% boost in hospital operations and a 140% increase in outpatient visits.
Previously, Alka Wadhwa spent 17+ years at GE Global Research Center, where she led initiatives to enhance various GE businesses through advanced technologies, process redesign, and system optimization. Founder of Better Solutions Consulting, LLC, she specializes in using TOC, Six Sigma, and data analytics to streamline operations and build high-performance teams.
Her work has earned her multiple accolades, including the Empire State Award of Excellence in healthcare.
Dr Gary Wadhwa
Dr. Gary Wadhwa is a Board Certified Oral & Maxillofacial Surgeon with extensive experience in the field. He completed his Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery training at Montefiore Hospital, Albert Einstein College of Medicine in Bronx, NY, and has served as an Attending at prestigious institutions like St. Peters Hospitals, Ellis Hospital, and Beth Israel Hospital in NY. With a career spanning over two decades, he was the former CEO and President of a group specialty practice in NY from 1994 to 2015. Dr. Wadhwa holds an MBA from UT at Knoxville, TN, and has undergone additional training in System Dynamics at MIT, Health System Management at Harvard Business School, and Entrepreneurship and healthcare innovations at Columbia Business School. Committed to expanding access to Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery care, he is currently engaged in a meaningful project to provide healthcare services to underserved populations in inner city and rural areas through non-profit Community Health Centers.