Developing Critical Thinking Among Sabzevar Education Department Staff
Subject Areas : Ethics and Islamic EducationBenyamin Rah-Chamandi 1 , Moslem Charabin 2 , Mohammad Karimi 3 , Ali Maghool 4
1 -
2 -
3 -
4 -
Keywords: Critical thinking, education, learning, educational environment, quality of education.,
Abstract :
This article examines the development of critical thinking in the context of improving educational quality in Sabzevar County. In today's world, critical thinking is recognized as a key skill in the teaching and learning process. In terms of purpose, this study is developmental and applied in nature, employing a qualitative approach; it was conducted between May and November 2024. The study population consisted of 20 experts with at least 15 years of professional experience, serving as the decision-making team for the development of critical thinking A purposive (non-random) sampling method—specifically the snowball sampling technique—was employed among the staff. The findings indicated that developing critical thinking can lead to improvements in the teaching-learning process and social skills, as well as the examination of psychological dimensions, the identification of managerial skills, the optimal use of technology by staff, and the effective transfer of these skills to students. Research findings identified the factors and indicators influencing the development of critical thinking—comprising 75 indicators organized into 15 criteria and 5 dimensions: modern educational structures, social indicators and skills, cognitive dimensions, managerial skills, and technological development. The findings indicated that fostering critical thinking can help enhance students' educational and learning capabilities. Additionally, challenges such as a lack of resources and inadequate teacher training were identified. Developing critical thinking should be prioritized within the education system to improve the quality of teaching and learning.
Aliakbari, M. and A. Sadeghdaghighi (2013). "Teachers’ Perception of the Barriers to Critical Thinking." Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences 70: 1-5
Belluigi, D. and G. Cundill (2015). "Establishing enabling conditions to develop critical thinking skills: a case of innovative curriculum design in Environmental Science." Environmental Education Research 23: 1-22.
Changwong, K., A. Sukkamart and B. Sisan (2018). "Critical thinking skill development: Analysis of a new learning management model for Thai high schools." Journal of International Studies 11: 37-48.
Eze, I., C. Iwu and J. Dubihlela (2022). "Students’ views regarding the barriers to learning critical thinking." International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147- 4478) 11: 355-364.
Facione, P. (2015). "Critical Thinking: What It Is and Why It Counts." Insight Assessment.
Franco, A. and R. Vieira (2019). Promoting critical thinking in higher education in the context of teacher professional development.
Guo, J., X. Tang, H. Marsh, P. Parker, G. Basarkod, B. Sahdra, M. Ranta and K. Salmela-Aro (2021). The Roles of Social-Emotional Skills in Students’ Academic and Life Success: A Multi-Informant, Multi-Cohort Perspective.
Haryani, E., W. Coben, B. Pleasants and M. Fetters (2021). "Analysis of Teachers' Resources for Integrating the Skills of Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, Collaboration, and Communication in Science Classrooms." Jurnal Pendidikan IPA Indonesia 10: 92-102.
Heard, J., C. Scoular, D. Duckworth, D. Ramalingam and I. Teo (2020). Critical thinking: Skill development framework.
Ho, Y.-R., B.-Y. Chen, C.-M. Li and E. G.-Y. Chai (2023). "The distance between the humanities and medicine: Building a critical thinking mindset by interdisciplinary dialogue through mind mapping." Thinking Skills and Creativity 50: 101420.
Iyer, L. (2019). Critical Thinking and it's Importance in Education.
Jia, N., X. Luo, Z. Fang and C. Liao (2023). "When and How Artificial Intelligence Augments Employee Creativity." Academy of Management Journal 67.
Kadrija, R., Z. Gashi Shatri and V. Këndusi (2022). "Effects of Critical Thinking Implementation on Enhancing of Teaching Quality." Journal of Educational and Social Research 12: 236.
Kalukar, V., A. Krobo, M. Pessireron and S. Yudistira (2024). "Enhancing Critical Thinking Skills Through Collaborative Learning in Modern Educational Practices." The Journal of Academic Science 1: 1145-1153.
Lauer, T. (2005). "Teaching Critical-Thinking Skills Using Course Content Material: A Reversal of Roles." Journal of College Science Teaching.
Leibovitch, Y. M., A. Beencke, P. J. Ellerton, C. McBrien, C.-L. Robinson-Taylor and D. J. Brown (2025). "Teachers’ (evolving) beliefs about critical thinking education during professional learning: A multi- case study." Thinking Skills and Creativity 56: 101725.
Meirbekov, A., I. Maslova and Z. Gallyamova (2022). "Digital education tools for critical thinking development." Thinking Skills and Creativity 44: 101023.
Mirza, B. and R. Jabeen (2024). "Exploring Teaching Strategies to Encourage Critical Thinking in Students." Academy of Education and Social Sciences Review 4: 554-564.
Mohamed Nor, H. (2021). "Critical Thinking Skills in Education: A Systematic Literature Review." International Journal of Research in Business and Social Science (2147-4478) 11,2021: 2222-6990.
Phillips, H. (2023). "Developing critical thinking in classrooms: Teacher responses to a Reading-for-Meaning workshop." Reading & Writing 14.
Pinza, E., V. Toro, K. Salcedo-Viteri and F. Paredes (2021). "The Use of Critical Thinking Activities through Workshops to improve EFL Learners' Speaking Skills." International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research 20: 444-460.
Poláková, M., J. H. Suleimanová, P. Madzík, L. Copuš, I. Molnárová and J. Polednová (2023). "Soft skills and their importance in the labour market under the conditions of Industry 5.0." Heliyon 9(8): e18670.
Prakong, S. (2024). "The Role of Critical Thinking in Enhancing Students' Problem-Solving Abilities in Higher Education." Journal of Education, Humanities, and Social Research 1: 10-16.
Purnamasari, A., K. Binar and Suryanti (2025). "Analyzing the Critical Thinking Skills of 5th Grade Students on the Respiratory System Material Using a Qualitative Descriptive Method." Jurnal Komunikasi Pendidikan 9: 1-12.
Raj, T., P. Chauhan, R. Mehrotra and M. Sharma (2022). "Importance of Critical Thinking in the Education." World Journal of English Language 12: 126.
Rusmin, L., Y. Misrahayu, F. Pongpalilu, R. Radiansyah and D. Dwiyanto (2024). "Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Skills in the 21st Century." Join: Journal of Social Science 1: 144-162.
Shafiyeva, U. (2021). "Assessing Students’ Minds: Developing Critical Thinking or Fitting into Procrustean Bed." European Journal of Education 4: 79.
Tadeo, R., D. Jr and D. C. Bueno (2024). Fostering Critical Thinking Skills among Students: Ensuring Rigorous Examination Questions in a Graduate-Level Program.
Thornhill-Miller, B., A. Camarda, M. Mercier, J.-M. Burkhardt, T. Morisseau, s. Bourgeois-Bougrine, F. Vinchon, S. Hayek, M. Augereau-Landais, F. Mourey, C. Feybesse, D. Sundquist and T. Lubart (2023). "Creativity, Critical Thinking, Communication, and Collaboration: Assessment, Certification, and Promotion of 21st Century Skills for the Future of Work and Education." Journal of Intelligence 11: 54.
Trixa, J. and K. Kaspar (2024). "Information literacy in the digital age: information sources, evaluation strategies, and perceived teaching competences of pre-service teachers." Front Psychol 15: 1336436.
Uribe Enciso, O., D. Uribe-Enciso and M. Vargas-Daza (2017). "Critical thinking and its importance in education: some reflections." Rastros Rostros 19.
Wani, S. A. and Z. Hussian (2024). Developing Critical Thinking Skills: Encouraging Analytical and Creative Thinking: 114-130.
Youcef, L. (2023). "Exploring Teachers’ Perceptions of Critical Thinking in English Language Classrooms in Higher Education: A Case of EFL Teachers." ALTRALANG Journal 5: 271-286.
