비판적 사고력 함양을 위한 커넥티비즘 기반 사회과 교재의 개발과 적용 = Development and Application of Connectivism-Based Social Studies Textbook for Improving Critical Thinking

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

This study examined the effects of a social studies textbook that was based on connectivism, as proposed by Siemens and Downes, designed to enhance learners’ critical thinking skills through its development and application. For this, first, the educational significance of connectivism was examined, and the relationship between connectivism and critical thinking was explored. Second, a social studies textbook based on connectivism was developed to improve critical thinking. Third, the textbook that was developed was used in classes to determine its effect on enhancing elementary school students’ critical thinking skills and to derive educational implications. For this study, two 6th-grade classes at a public elementary school in Songpa-gu, Seoul, were designated as the experimental group, and the connectivism-based social studies textbook was used in eight lessons. To verify the effectiveness of the lessons using the textbook, pre- and post-tests on critical thinking skills and critical thinking disposition were conducted and quantitatively analyzed.
The results of the analysis concerning the impact of the connectivism-based social studies textbook on students’ critical thinking skills were as follows. First, the lessons using the connectivism-based textbook had a positive effect on enhancing students’ critical thinking. Second, the lessons led to statistically significant improvements in the sub-elements of critical thinking skills, specifically: presenting arguments based on valid and sufficient evidence, viewing a problem from multiple perspectives, detecting bias in claims or statements, and identifying hidden assumptions and meanings. Regarding critical thinking disposition, significant changes were observed in certain sub-elements, such as healthy skepticism, intellectual honesty, and objectivity. Third, critical thinking was activated throughout all stages of the learning process when the connectivism-based textbook was used. These findings indicate that using a connectivism-based social studies textbook had a positive impact on students’ critical thinking abilities. In the era of artificial intelligence, where the educational value of critical thinking continues to grow, a textbook developed based on connectivism can meaningfully contribute to improvements in students’ critical thinking.