Increasing critical thinking through motivation and metacognition intervention

Abstract

[EN]We report the results obtained in a recent innovative teaching project aimed at fostering Critical Thinking (CT) skills through a metacognitive and motivational intervention. We developed a program aimed at fostering Metacognition and Motivation for the most optimal development of such skills. Students participating in the study were 134. All were evaluated by PENCRISAL test, Modified Archievement Motivation Scales (AMS-M) and MAI pre-post intervention measurement. All students received instruction in CT but only half of the sample also participated in a Meta-Motivational program. The results show that the instruction in CT skills was successful, getting better performance in the group subjected to the Meta-Motivational program. Moreover, there were significant differences in favor of the experimental group in Motivation variable, but not in Metacognition. In conclusion, the Meta-motivational intervention was successful to a large extent, it would thus be possible to acquire a pedagogical tool to study and work the motivational and metacognitive factors in skills training programs.