MODERN EDUCATIONAL PRACTICES FOR DEVELOPING CRITICAL THINKING IN INDIVIDUALS

Abstract

The article is devoted to the systematization of modern educational practices for developing critical thinking among learners. The work provides a comprehensive theoretical analysis of the main methods for cultivating critical thinking that are applied within educational environments. In particular, it examines methods of parallel thinking, problem-based learning, metacognition, and digital content critique. The authors conceptualize critical thinking as a mental process of independent inquiry and the discovery of fundamentally new insights – that is, a process of mediation and generalization in the reflection of reality during its analysis and synthesis, which arises on the basis of practical activity and experience. In the course of the research, the effectiveness of various methods for developing critical thinking was analyzed in terms of their didactic feasibility, practical implementation mechanisms, and learning outcomes. It has been demonstrated that problem-based learning enhances the ability to formulate questions and seek well-reasoned solutions, metacognition enables awareness of one’s own thought processes, the method of parallel thinking develops the ability to generate multiple possible options or ideas for problem-solving and digital content critique fosters media literacy and the ability to distinguish reliable information from fake or manipulative content. An analysis of scientific and empirical studies confirmed that the use of the STEAM approach, simulations and role-playing games, as well as the integration of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence, significantly increases the effectiveness of developing learners critical thinking skills. Moreover, the incorporation of modern technologies into the educational process motivates learners to engage actively, promotes independent decision-making, meaningful analysis, information comparison, and enhances their ability to evaluate alternatives and identify optimal solutions to problems. The synthesis of research results indicates that the development of critical thinking requires a comprehensive approach combining interactive methods, technological flexibility, and continuous monitoring of effectiveness.