Fostering Critical Thinking Skills in Lower Secondary School Students by Using Group Discussion Articles and Clues Box
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This study aimed to assess and compare the development of students' critical thinking skills using group discussion articles and Clues Box as instructional tool in a lower secondary classroom at The Prince Royal’s College, Chiang Mai Province, Thailand. Twenty purposively sampled students participated, evaluated through a critical thinking skills test and group discussion assessments. The findings revealed a significant improvement in students' critical thinking abilities post-intervention. The pre-test average score was 60.2, increasing to 72.8 in the post-test, indicating a highly significant improvement. The paired t-test showed a substantial t-value of 19.69 (df = 19, p < 0.001), affirming the statistical significance of the results. Integrating group discussion articles and Clues Box effectively enhanced students' capacity to critically analyze information, consider diverse perspectives, and engage actively in discussions. These findings underscore the value of innovative pedagogical strategies in fostering critical thinking skills among secondary students, essential for success in today's dynamic global environment.
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