Inquiry: Critical Thinking Across the Disciplines

Volume 24, Issue 3, Spring 2005

Using Case Studies to Promote Critical Thinking

Using Cases to Improve the Critical Thinking Skills of Prospective Teachers

This essential that prospective teachers develop critical thinking skills. However, they cannot develop these skills simply by reading the assigned text, taking notes during lecture, and completing exams. The case method of instruction (CMI) relies on real-life situations to teach students general problem solving and decision making through active participation in the leaming process. Thus, CMI offers an effective means of developing the critical thinking skills of prospective teachers. This article presents guidelines teacher educators can follow to create case-based classrooms. Specific recommendations are offered regarding case selection, case presentation, case writing, and case evaluation procedures.