Ultimate goal

• Assessment of several tools developed to address different aspects of higher reasoning and scientific thinking

– Tools informed by philosophy of science, education, and cognitive science

– Major difference: philosophy of science

Iglika Pavlova

Question to investigate

• Does the tool “scales of evidence and belief” increase scientific thinking?

– This tool addresses the complexity of the process of using evidence to form beliefs

– Tool for both learning and assessment

– Development of metacognition

– Quantitative component

Iglika Pavlova

Scale of belief

Iglika Pavlova

100 % [+]100 % [-] 0%

Believe claim is TRUE

withhold belief

Believe claim is NOT true

Context• Issues in evidential support

– Levels of evidence– Disconfirming evidence– Ethical component of belief– Possibility and necessity – Withholding belief

• Course– Non-bio majors, ~20 students– Second of 2 required “core” courses at U of C– Students have a menu of courses to choose from– Reasoning component

Explicit Infusion within “Evolution and intelligent design”

Iglika Pavlova

Assessment1. Pre- and post- concept assessment– Select critical thinking skills

2. Records of student work using “scales of evidence and belief” tool– Written; Video to record process of change?

3. Diary-style analysis of events in their life, personal and professional

4. Final paper

*Longitudinal study

Iglika Pavlova