Pedagogical strategies for the development of critical thinking in university students

Abstract

Introduction: The aim of this paper is to present pedagogical strategies that facilitate the development of critical thinking in university students, since they arrive at university without having developed these skills that are the basis for the formation and understanding of all subjects. Materials and methods: A mixed method was used with a transactional design with which second semester students of the Faculty of Philosophy, Letters and Education Sciences, Basic Education Degree of the University of Guayaquil were observed, to whom instruments such as questionnaires of individual generic competencies were applied, it was observed that the students have a good predisposition to do the proposed activities. Results: The results indicated the need to work with strategies to enhance critical thinking in which a proposal is presented in this regard. Discussion: University students face significant difficulties in key areas of critical thinking. It is evident that they present challenges in decision making and planning, especially when addressing exercises that require solving problems. Conclusions: The urgent need to cultivate and strengthen critical thinking in all areas of society is highlighted, as a means to promote integral development and progress at both individual and collective levels.