title: The teaching-learning approach and critical thinking development: a qualitative exploration of Taiwanese nursing students.
abstract: Health care professionals are challenged by the complexities of the health care environment. This study uses a qualitative approach to explore how teaching strategy affects the development of critical thinking (CT) among Taiwanese baccalaureate-level nursing students. Data collected from 109 students' reflection reports were analyzed using content analysis. Three categories generated by the analysis were the teaching-learning strategy, enhancing CT, and transiting into a different learning style. The teaching-learning strategy consisted of concept mapping, question and answer, and real-life case studies. CT was enhanced alternately by self-directed learning, the realization of the gap between known and unknown, and connecting the gap between theoretical nursing knowledge and clinical practice. The study results emphasize participants' perceptions of becoming a critical thinker, turning into an active learner, and eventually achieving self-confidence. These learning effects invest the wisdom of teaching-learning with a far-reaching significance.
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, ChiaYi Campus, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, ChiaYi, Taiwan, ROC.. Electronic address: cclin01@gw.cgust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Chun-Chih
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan, ROC.. Electronic address: cyhan@gw.cgust.edu.tw.
authors.forename: Chin-Yen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor, I-Shou University, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan, ROC.. Electronic address: ijpan@isu.edu.tw.
authors.forename: I-Ju
authors.initials: IJ
authors.lastname: Pan
authors.affiliation: Deputy Director, Linkou Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Taoyuan County, Taiwan, ROC.. Electronic address: judy5612@cgmh.org.tw.
authors.forename: Li-Chin
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chen
mesh_terms: D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013850:Thinking
keywords: Active learner; Concept mapping; Critical thinking; Question and answer; Teaching–learning strategy