Developing Critical Thinking in Younger Pupils Using ICT

Abstract

A methodology for developing critical thinking in younger pupils using information and communication technologies (ICTs) has been developed based on the study of the pedagogical experience of O. Diachuk, a teacher from M. Ostrovsky comprehensive school No 1 (I-III levels) in Shepetivka (Khmelnytskyi Region), and O. Svystak, a teacher from specialized school No 30 (I level) in Khmelnytskyi. The paper determines its goals, objectives, stages (problem statement, information search, clear argumentation, decision-making) and results from using it. Also, it presents the results obtained from the study of its effectiveness based on the observation of younger pupils’ educational and cognitive activities, their questionnaires, surveys of primary school teachers, as well as the study of pupils’ compositions. It states that the use of the developed methodology helps to enhance the activity of primary school pupils, their thinking skills and abilities to justify their decisions, search for new information using digital devices and develops their communication skills. At the same time, the paper points out the following disadvantages and difficulties in using the developed methodology: potential problems in using it due to technical bugs and slow Internet connection; a long preparation for those stages of the lesson during which this methodology is applied; certain difficulties in supervising pupils’ search activities in case there are more than 30 pupils in the class. Further research should aim to study the characteristics of implementing the methodology for developing critical thinking in younger pupils using ICTs during adaptation-and-game-related (Grades 1 and 2) and main (Grades 3 and 4) stages of pupils’ learning.