The Critical Thinking Movement in Kazakhstan: A Progress Report

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Title: The Critical Thinking Movement in Kazakhstan: A Progress Report
Language: English
Authors: Burkhalter, Nancy, Shegebayev, Maganat
Source: Research in Comparative and International Education. 2010 5(4):434-445.
Availability: Symposium Journals. P.O. Box 204, Didcot, Oxford, OX11 9ZQ, UK. Tel: +44-1235-818-062; Fax: +44-1235-817-275; e-mail: subscriptions@symposium-journals.co.uk; Web site: http://www.wwwords.co.uk/rcie
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 12
Publication Date: 2010
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Tests/Questionnaires
Education Level: Higher Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Critical Thinking, Educational Change, Social Change, Thinking Skills, Skill Development, Teaching Methods, Teacher Attitudes, Surveys, Knowledge Base for Teaching, Plagiarism
Geographic Terms: Kazakhstan
DOI: 10.2304/rcie.2010.5.4.434
ISSN: 1745-4999
Abstract: Having gained independence in 1991, Kazakhstan is making major adjustments in its educational system to meet the demands of its changing workplace. To that end, the Ministry of Education has mandated that critical thinking be incorporated into all levels. Given the importance of this goal, the authors surveyed teachers' understanding and use of critical thinking in their classrooms. This article reports the survey results, which provide a brief overview of the status of the teaching and learning of critical thinking in Kazakhstan today. The results point to a growing understanding of critical thinking among Kazakhstani teachers in this region. That said, 10 per cent of respondents plagiarized their surveys, suggesting that many feared looking incompetent, despite assurances of anonymity. The authors recommend the survey be conducted in other regions in Kazakhstan and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to assess the status of critical thinking. (Contains 5 tables.)
Abstractor: As Provided
Number of References: 24
Entry Date: 2011
Accession Number: EJ915107
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Having gained independence in 1991, Kazakhstan is making major adjustments in its educational system to meet the demands of its changing workplace. To that end, the Ministry of Education has mandated that critical thinking be incorporated into all levels. Given the importance of this goal, the authors surveyed teachers' understanding and use of critical thinking in their classrooms. This article reports the survey results, which provide a brief overview of the status of the teaching and learning of critical thinking in Kazakhstan today. The results point to a growing understanding of critical thinking among Kazakhstani teachers in this region. That said, 10 per cent of respondents plagiarized their surveys, suggesting that many feared looking incompetent, despite assurances of anonymity. The authors recommend the survey be conducted in other regions in Kazakhstan and the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) to assess the status of critical thinking. (Contains 5 tables.)
ISSN:1745-4999
DOI:10.2304/rcie.2010.5.4.434