Purposeful Use of Technology to Support Critical Thinking

A mixed methods research study was undertaken to examine undergraduate nursing students ‘perspectives one course redesigned to include purposeful integration of technology to support an inquiry-based approach to critical thinking instruction. The face-to-face and online technology-enhanced environments of learning were developed as settings to generate inquiry to achieve the desired student outcome of critical thinking. Critical thinking is necessary for graduates from higher education programs. With technology’s growth in use, diversity, and prevalence, technology has become a significant component in work and educational contexts. A course was planned to include inquiry to facilitate the development of critical thinking plat formed within two technology-enhanced environments. The findings of the study revealed student perspective of the use of technology with the instructional approach of inquiry, and their demonstration of the desired learning outcome of critical thinking. Thus, identifying factors important to the designing of a course to appropriately use technology to support student learning.