Listed below are selected learning outcomes in the area of critical
thinking that Western Washington University is actively integrating
into its curriculum. The Environmental Studies course was
designed to achieve many of these goals. Each learning outcome is
listed with its definition, along with a description of how the
course met each of these student learning outcome goals. See also
Institutional
Goals.
Critical Thinking
| Learning Outcomes |
Definition |
Course Outcomes |
| Identification |
Accurately identifies and interprets
evidence. |
By analyzing site specific situations
in which scientific evidence has played a role in human understanding
of environmental problems, students had an opportunity to
assess, discuss, and critique the role of data collection
and analysis in interpreting evidence.
|
| Accurate Conclusions |
Draws warranted, judicious, non-fallacious
conclusions. |
Students used the scientific method
and other analytical processes to reach, evaluate and verify
their own conclusions and to evaluate the conclusions of others. |
| Justification |
Justifies key results and procedures,
and explains assumptions and reasons. |
Students studied the role of results,
procedures, assumptions, and reasons and the complex interplay
among these constructs. |
Source: Adapted from the California Academic Press's Holistic
Critical Thinking Scoring Rubric available at: http://www.calpress.com/rubric.html
|
