Challenging endocrinology students with a critical-thinking workbook

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology Education
• Science Education

Background:

• Science education aims to develop higher-order thinking skills.
• Classrooms should foster scientific and critical-thinking skills.
• Postsecondary education needs effective tools for complex subjects like endocrinology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a workbook for postsecondary students to learn endocrinology.
• To engage students in critical thinking through workbook activities.
• To improve science education by integrating critical thinking into endocrinology.

Main Methods:

• Workbook development based on core biological concepts in endocrinology.
• Content aligned with seminal science education reports.
• Application of Numrich's Sequence of Critical-Thinking Tasks for skill development.
• Chapter sections designed to target specific critical thinking skills (modeling, sequencing, application, research, simulation).

Main Results:

• A five-chapter workbook was created, focusing on key endocrinology topics.
• The workbook incorporates various critical thinking tasks.
• Student learning, experiences, and behaviors were assessed for evaluation.
• The workbook was revised into a publicly available second edition based on feedback.

Conclusions:

• The workbook effectively engages postsecondary students in endocrinology.
• The integrated approach fosters scientific and critical thinking skills.
• The resource supports the broader goal of improving science education outcomes.