The implementation of critical thinking development strategies into technology education: The evidence from Slovakia

• Published in: Teaching and teacher education Vol. 109; p. 103555
• Main Authors: Brečka, Peter, Valentová, Monika, Lančarič, Drahoslav
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier Ltd 01.01.2022
• Subjects: Critical thinking; Curriculum organisation; Development strategies; Technological education; Development strategies; Curriculum organisation; Technological education; Critical thinking
• ISSN: 0742-051X; 1879-2480
• DOI: 10.1016/j.tate.2021.103555

This research study examines the issue of the implementation of strategies for developing students’ critical thinking skills in technical subjects at primary and secondary vocational schools, with a focus on cognitive, interpersonal, technical, and communication skills. Multivariate significance tests identified several significant factors — personal and professional teacher characteristics and characteristics of a school (age, gender, length of teaching experience, education degree, work position, establisher, location, and stage of education) — that influence the implementation of developmental strategies. The study focuses on Slovakia, whose education system is typical of post-communist countries, so its results are applicable to other education systems with the same context. •The study focuses on factors affecting the implementation of the developmental strategies in a post-communist education system.•The study specifically examines the implementation of strategies for the development of critical thinking.•The implementation is influenced by a teacher's personal and professional characteristics.•It also differs depending on the characteristics of a school.•The findings are interesting for teachers, school managers, and educational policy makers.