Examining the impact of a strength-based program to enhance teacher-trainees’ critical thinking abilities: a pilot study
Purpose – The purpose of this study was to examine how well a strength-based program grounded in positive psychology principles can advance the practical critical thinking skills of those pursuing the teacher training course. Design/methodology/approach – This study used a single-group pre-test post...
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| Language: | English |
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Emerald Publishing
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Quality Education for All |
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| Online Access: | https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/QEA-12-2023-0019/full/pdf |
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| _version_ | 1832542855315324928 |
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| author | Divya Surendran Nair Seema Bhandare |
| author_facet | Divya Surendran Nair Seema Bhandare |
| author_sort | Divya Surendran Nair |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Purpose – The purpose of this study was to examine how well a strength-based program grounded in positive psychology principles can advance the practical critical thinking skills of those pursuing the teacher training course. Design/methodology/approach – This study used a single-group pre-test post-test design with 35 teacher-trainees from the Bachelor of Education course. The two-and-a-half-week strength-based program used the values in action survey to identify strengths. Pre- and post-test scores, measured with the Cornell Critical Thinking Test – Level Z, underwent Statistical Package for Social Sciences analysis including paired samples t-test for subcomponent and overall composite analysis. Findings – Analysis of the pre- and post-test scores demonstrated a statistical significance in the critical thinking scores obtained by the teacher-trainees. Post-test scores were consistently significant. Out of the elements of critical thinking, induction, meaning, observation and credibility were more prominent. Deduction and assumption identification were also having a significant effect. Originality/value – Most critical thinking programs focus on evaluating specific teaching methods for improving critical thinking skills. In education, positive psychology studies often center on students’ well-being, attention spans and academic success, aligning with wellness programs. Despite the importance of strengths in positive psychology, there is a lack of research on using a strength-based approach to boost critical thinking skills. This study aims to enhance teacher-trainees’ critical thinking by leveraging their individual strengths, moving away from traditional instructional strategies. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cfa065ae3492499e9aeec509b903508f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2976-9310 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | Emerald Publishing |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Quality Education for All |
| spelling | doaj-art-cfa065ae3492499e9aeec509b903508f2025-02-03T14:29:31ZengEmerald PublishingQuality Education for All2976-93102024-12-011112110.1108/QEA-12-2023-0019Examining the impact of a strength-based program to enhance teacher-trainees’ critical thinking abilities: a pilot studyDivya Surendran Nair0Seema Bhandare1School of Education and Research, MIT Art Design and Technology University, Pune, IndiaDepartment of Education and Research, Adarsha Comprehensive College of Education and Research, Pune, IndiaPurpose – The purpose of this study was to examine how well a strength-based program grounded in positive psychology principles can advance the practical critical thinking skills of those pursuing the teacher training course. Design/methodology/approach – This study used a single-group pre-test post-test design with 35 teacher-trainees from the Bachelor of Education course. The two-and-a-half-week strength-based program used the values in action survey to identify strengths. Pre- and post-test scores, measured with the Cornell Critical Thinking Test – Level Z, underwent Statistical Package for Social Sciences analysis including paired samples t-test for subcomponent and overall composite analysis. Findings – Analysis of the pre- and post-test scores demonstrated a statistical significance in the critical thinking scores obtained by the teacher-trainees. Post-test scores were consistently significant. Out of the elements of critical thinking, induction, meaning, observation and credibility were more prominent. Deduction and assumption identification were also having a significant effect. Originality/value – Most critical thinking programs focus on evaluating specific teaching methods for improving critical thinking skills. In education, positive psychology studies often center on students’ well-being, attention spans and academic success, aligning with wellness programs. Despite the importance of strengths in positive psychology, there is a lack of research on using a strength-based approach to boost critical thinking skills. This study aims to enhance teacher-trainees’ critical thinking by leveraging their individual strengths, moving away from traditional instructional strategies.https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/QEA-12-2023-0019/full/pdfStrengthsCritical thinkingStrength-based programPositive psychologyTeacher-traineesInduction |
| spellingShingle | Divya Surendran Nair Seema Bhandare Examining the impact of a strength-based program to enhance teacher-trainees’ critical thinking abilities: a pilot study Quality Education for All Strengths Critical thinking Strength-based program Positive psychology Teacher-trainees Induction |
| title | Examining the impact of a strength-based program to enhance teacher-trainees’ critical thinking abilities: a pilot study |
| title_full | Examining the impact of a strength-based program to enhance teacher-trainees’ critical thinking abilities: a pilot study |
| title_fullStr | Examining the impact of a strength-based program to enhance teacher-trainees’ critical thinking abilities: a pilot study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Examining the impact of a strength-based program to enhance teacher-trainees’ critical thinking abilities: a pilot study |
| title_short | Examining the impact of a strength-based program to enhance teacher-trainees’ critical thinking abilities: a pilot study |
| title_sort | examining the impact of a strength based program to enhance teacher trainees critical thinking abilities a pilot study |
| topic | Strengths Critical thinking Strength-based program Positive psychology Teacher-trainees Induction |
| url | https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/QEA-12-2023-0019/full/pdf |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT divyasurendrannair examiningtheimpactofastrengthbasedprogramtoenhanceteachertraineescriticalthinkingabilitiesapilotstudy AT seemabhandare examiningtheimpactofastrengthbasedprogramtoenhanceteachertraineescriticalthinkingabilitiesapilotstudy |