TRANSFORMING EDUCATION: FROM ROTE LEARNING TO CRITICAL THINKING IN MODERN CLASSROOMS
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.53555/ephijer.v9i1.150Keywords:
Critical Thinking, Pedagogical Shifts, Qualitative ResearchAbstract
The shift from rote learning to critical thinking represents a paradigm change in contemporary education, driven by the need to equip students with higher-order cognitive skills essential for the 21st century. Traditional education models, characterized by memorization and recall, are increasingly being replaced by inquiry-driven, student-centered pedagogies that emphasize problem-solving, creativity and analytical reasoning. Recent literature underscores the global push for competency-based curricula that prioritize critical thinking over content-heavy instruction (Brookhart, 2023; Zhao, 2022). Educational reforms worldwide reflect this transition, incorporating project-based learning, Socratic questioning and technology-enhanced instructional strategies to foster deeper engagement and understanding (Freeman et al., 2023).
This study adopts a qualitative research design to explore how pedagogical shifts are reshaping classroom practices and learning outcomes. Using semi-structured interviews and focus group discussions, the research will investigate how teachers facilitate critical thinking, the challenges they encounter and the impact of these methodologies on students’ cognitive engagement. Data will be thematically analyzed to uncover patterns in teaching approaches and learning transformation. Findings will offer insights into best practices for nurturing critical thinking, highlighting the role of instructional design, teacher autonomy and school culture in sustaining these shifts. The study’s implications extend to policymakers and educators seeking to implement sustainable pedagogical transformations.
The study will conclude with future outlook and recommendations of the findings and interpretations in relation to existing theories of learning, emphasizing how educational institutions can systematically transition from rote-based instruction to critical-thinking frameworks. Future outlook will discuss emerging trends, such as AI-driven personalized learning and interdisciplinary teaching, to further advance critical thinking. This research contributes to the growing discourse on 21st-century education by offering empirical insights into effective strategies that ensure meaningful and transformative learning experiences.
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