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Project Title: Promoting Students' Critical Thinking by Using Weblogs (Jan 2007 - Feb 2009)

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

 Name: Wang Qiyun 

 Appointment: Ast Prof 

 Academic Group: LST 

 Telephone number: 6790 3267

 Fax number: 68968038 

 Email address: qiyun.wang@nie.edu.sg

PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Name: Woo Huay Lit 

Appointment: Lecturer 

Academic Group: LST 

Telephone number: 6790 3262

Fax number: 68968038

Email address: huaylit.woo@nie.edu.sg

Abstract

Although Singapore students regularly rank at the top of international competitions in mathematics and science, they are often considered as passive, quiet, and lacking thinking and leadership skills (cf. Warschauer, 2001). How to promote students’ critical thinking becomes crucial in the Singapore education. In recent years, the use of weblogs has attracted numerous people’s attention, and a large number of weblogs have been created on the Internet. However, very little research on the use of weblogs for teaching and learning in primary or secondary schools has been conducted. In this research, secondary school students will write online reflections in weblogs by following three different approaches: i) without ongoing scaffolding; ii) peer review; and iii) teacher feedback. We will examine how to effectively promote students’ critical thinking by using weblogs on the secondary school level.

Objectives

The main objectives of the research are to investigate:

• To what extent writing online reflections by using weblogs can promote students’ critical thinking;
• How to effectively promote students’ critical thinking when they are writing online reflections by using weblogs

Achievement

The above objectives have been achieved. This research confirms that writing online reflections has the potential to promote students’ critical thinking, as a high number of positive critical thinking indicators were found in the students’ blogs.

Also, this research identifies that various interaction strategies affected students’ critical thinking to a certain extent. It seems that interaction with any peers in a class (Class 2-1) helped to promote student’s critical thinking, while interaction with the same peers in each topic (Class 2-2) was not that helpful for critical thinking development. In addition, the natural way of writing online reflections without interaction with others remained helpful for students’ critical thinking development.

In addition, a training session of three hours was conducted on each class (four classes altogether) to help the students create weblog accounts, post messages and write reflections critically. As an outcome of this research, the students in the classes all know how to blog and write reflections online.

Related Publication

Refereed journal papers:

• Wang, Q. Y., & Woo, H. L (2008). The affordances of weblogs and discussion forums for learning: A comparative analysis. Educational Technology, 48(5), 34-38. (PDF)
• Wang, Q.Y., Woo, H.L., & Zhao, J.H. (2009). Investigating critical thinking and knowledge construction in an interactive learning environment. Interactive learning environments, 17(1), 95-104.  (Online)

Refereed conference papers:

• Wang, Q.Y. & Woo, H.L (2008). An Exploratory Study on Promoting Students’ Critical Thinking by Using Weblogs. In Learning Sciences (Ed.) International Perspectives in the Learning Sciences (pp. 1-3). Utrecht: ICLS. (PDF)
• Woo, H.L., & Wang, Q. (2009). Using Weblog to Promote Critical Thinking - An Exploratory Study. In Ardil, C. (Ed.) Proceedings of World Academy of Science, Engineering and Technology (pp. 431-439). Paris: World Academy on Science, Engineering and Technology. (Online)

Non-refereed (book chapter)

• Wang, Q.Y., & Woo, H.L (2008). Affordances and Innovative Uses of Weblogs for Teaching and Learning. In Kobayashi, R (Ed.), New Educational Technology (pp. 183-199). NY: Nova Science Publishers. (PDF)

More Publications...