In the 21st century, critical thinking skills are essential for learning and career development, as they involve analyzing, interpreting, evaluating, and reflecting for effective problem-solving. Therefore, it is crucial to cultivate preservice teachers' ability in critical-thinking instruction. To enhance mindful learning and professional development in critical-thinking instruction, this study designed a 7-week intervention for 50 preservice teachers, by which we investigated the relationship between mindful learning and the perceived professional knowledge and teaching efficacy in critical-thinking instruction after the intervention. The intervention focused on teaching strategies for critical thinking and mindful learning, and the participants were guided through four teaching modules: "Uncover Your Mind," "Mind Your Mind," "Sharpen Your Mind," and "Rebuild Your Mind." Various strategies, such as attention to the moment, a weekly reflection on life events, presentation of argumentation skills, and reflection on learning, were practiced. Three inventories were employed to measure the participants' professional knowledge of critical-thinking instruction, teaching efficacy of critical-thinking instruction, and mindful learning. Results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that professional knowledge partially mediated the impact of mindful learning on teaching efficacy. The Sobel test was used to examine the mediation effect, and the results were consistent with the original findings. The results of this study suggest that mindful learning plays a vital role in preservice teachers' development of professional knowledge and teaching efficacy. Therefore, future preservice programs should consider incorporating mindful learning to enhance professional development in critical-thinking instruction.

Authors:
Jui-Ling Chiang, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
Yu-Chu Yeh, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
Sheng-Ling Chang, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
Yu-Shan Ting, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
Chih Min Wang, National Chengchi University, Taiwan

About the Presenter(s)
Professor Yu-chu Yeh is a University Professor/Principal Lecturer at National Chengchi University in Taiwan

See this presentation on the full schedule – On Demand Schedule

Bookmark