Logic Models Used to Enhance Critical Thinking

• Published in: The Journal of nursing education Vol. 45; no. 6; pp. 220 - 227
• Main Authors: Ellermann, Caroline R., Kataoka-Yahiro, Merle R., Wong, Lorrie C.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Thorofare, NJ SLACK Incorporated 01.06.2006; SLACK INCORPORATED
• Subjects: Attitude of Health Personnel; Case studies; Clinical Competence; Cognition & reasoning; Concept Formation; Concept mapping; Critical thinking; Cultural Influences; Curricula; Curriculum; Data Collection; Diagnostic Tests; Education; Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate - organization & administration; Educational Needs; Faculty College Relationship; Hawaii; Health care industry; Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Humans; Hygiene; Hypotheses; Inferences; Logic; Logical Thinking; Medical Evaluation; Methods; Models, Educational; Models, Nursing; Models, Psychological; Nurses; Nursing; Nursing Assessment; Nursing care; Nursing Diagnosis; Nursing education; Nursing Education Research; Nursing Methodology Research; Nursing Process - organization & administration; Nursing Research; Nursing Students; Pathophysiology; Physical Examinations; Problem Solving; Program Evaluation; Psychology, Educational; Simulation; Students; Students, Nursing - psychology; Teaching; Teaching Methods; Thinking; Thinking Skills; Undergraduate Study; Hawaii; United States > US
• ISSN: 0148-4834; 1938-2421
• DOI: 10.3928/01484834-20060601-06

Over time, various methods have been used to stimulate critical thinking in undergraduate nursing students, and although many have been successful in helping students integrate the essential knowledge, experiences, and clinical reasoning that support practice, it is also useful to explore new methods. Faculty at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, School of Nursing and Dental Hygiene have taken an innovative approach of using logic models to further enhance critical thinking. This article presents an application of varying experiences and methods of using logic models to support the development of critical thinking and reasoning skills in nursing students. The processes in which logic models are used in the curriculum are described. The models are used to connect concepts from concrete to abstract levels in diverse and often nonlinear diagrams, guided discourse, and written assignments. The specific instructional methods used include concept mapping, concept papers, conceptual linking, and substruction.