Development of critical thinking skills in schoolchildren through project activities

Abstract

This article analyzes the challenges and prospects of cultivating critical thinking skills in students through project-oriented tasks. It explores essential concepts and strategies related to critical thinking and project-based learning within the framework of educational institutions. Through an evaluation of the extent to which project-based activities are utilized in schools, the need for developing critical thinking is highlighted. The article also discusses the practical application of a program aimed at enhancing critical thinking skills in tenth-grade students through project-based activities on the basis of individual profile subjects allowed to increase the level of critical thinking in students of the experimental group. The improvement of critical thinking indicators according to the methodology of Y.F. Gushchin and N.V. Smirnov was noted. The findings from the modified L. Starkey test also show notable advancements in all areas of critical thinking, particularly in drawing logical conclusions and analyzing information. These results collectively support the idea that project-based activities positively influence the enhancement of critical thinking skills in students. General recommendations for more effective use of project activities in the educational process for the development of flexible skills have been developed.