Supporting the Development of Critical Thinking Skills Through Work-Based Learning Activities: A Pilot Experience in the Educational Science Context

The present paper aims to illustrate the learning results of a pilot experience focused on the development of critical thinking (CT) skills through work- based activities, as an example of continuous instructional improvement in higher education institution (HEI) contexts. Specifically, more than 100 university students of two master’s degree programs at University Roma Tre participated in two different online learning paths, carried out by the Centre for Museum Studies research group during the academic year 2020–2021, containing activities of analysis, interpretation, argumentation, and critical evaluation of work-based experiences in the educational fields. Specific online meetings with stakeholders were carried out within the paths, together with experiences based on the following teaching methodologies: problem solving, oral dissertation, digital storytelling, analysis, and critical reflection. Formative and summative evaluation activities were carried out in the pilot experience in order to collect and analyze data in relation to the promotion of professional and CT skills. Results from the pilot experience show a statistically significant improvement in some CT indicators within students participating in the activity and an overall good evaluation of the learning courses, stakeholder meetings, and assigned work-based activities. In addition to CT, collaboration and creativity skills were also self-assessed by the students, as stimulated by the online activities.