The impact of VaKE-driven online discussions on critical thinking styles among Chinese undergraduates

This study examines the impact of VaKE-guided online discussion forums on the critical thinking (CT) styles of 100 undergraduate students in Southeast China, focusing on engagement and information-seeking tendencies. Unlike previous research on VaKE’s impact on CT skills, this study investigates its...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Xiaoshu Xu, Yujie Su, Huanhuan Zhang, Vivian Ngan-Lin Lei, Xiaofang Ye
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-05-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1494055/full
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
_version_ 1849316117931098112
author Xiaoshu Xu
Xiaoshu Xu
Yujie Su
Huanhuan Zhang
Vivian Ngan-Lin Lei
Xiaofang Ye
author_facet Xiaoshu Xu
Xiaoshu Xu
Yujie Su
Huanhuan Zhang
Vivian Ngan-Lin Lei
Xiaofang Ye
author_sort Xiaoshu Xu
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the impact of VaKE-guided online discussion forums on the critical thinking (CT) styles of 100 undergraduate students in Southeast China, focusing on engagement and information-seeking tendencies. Unlike previous research on VaKE’s impact on CT skills, this study investigates its effect on CT styles. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining the 24-item UFCTI and student reflective diaries. Results showed that the experimental group, engaged in VaKE-guided forums, exhibited improved engagement and information-seeking behaviors, while the control group, using traditional methods, saw a decline. Qualitative data further supported these findings, with students reporting enhanced understanding of social issues and increased cognitive flexibility. Challenges, including insufficient teacher-student interaction, were noted, emphasizing the need for careful facilitation. These findings contribute to the literature on ethical reasoning and CT styles, providing insights for educators seeking to enhance cognitive and moral development in higher education.
format Article
id doaj-art-17b8bf3c6df34a9d8eec958f7164adc6
institution Kabale University
issn 1664-1078
language English
publishDate 2025-05-01
publisher Frontiers Media S.A.
record_format Article
series Frontiers in Psychology
spelling doaj-art-17b8bf3c6df34a9d8eec958f7164adc62025-08-20T03:51:58ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-05-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.14940551494055The impact of VaKE-driven online discussions on critical thinking styles among Chinese undergraduatesXiaoshu Xu0Xiaoshu Xu1Yujie Su2Huanhuan Zhang3Vivian Ngan-Lin Lei4Xiaofang Ye5School of Foreign Studies, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, ChinaFaculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macau, Macao SAR, ChinaSchool of Foreign Studies, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, ChinaFaculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macau, Macao SAR, ChinaFaculty of Applied Sciences, Macao Polytechnic University, Macau, Macao SAR, ChinaSchool of Foreign Studies, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, ChinaThis study examines the impact of VaKE-guided online discussion forums on the critical thinking (CT) styles of 100 undergraduate students in Southeast China, focusing on engagement and information-seeking tendencies. Unlike previous research on VaKE’s impact on CT skills, this study investigates its effect on CT styles. A mixed-methods approach was used, combining the 24-item UFCTI and student reflective diaries. Results showed that the experimental group, engaged in VaKE-guided forums, exhibited improved engagement and information-seeking behaviors, while the control group, using traditional methods, saw a decline. Qualitative data further supported these findings, with students reporting enhanced understanding of social issues and increased cognitive flexibility. Challenges, including insufficient teacher-student interaction, were noted, emphasizing the need for careful facilitation. These findings contribute to the literature on ethical reasoning and CT styles, providing insights for educators seeking to enhance cognitive and moral development in higher education.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1494055/fullvalues and knowledge education (VaKE)critical thinking stylesonline discussion forumsundergraduatesChina
spellingShingle Xiaoshu Xu
Xiaoshu Xu
Yujie Su
Huanhuan Zhang
Vivian Ngan-Lin Lei
Xiaofang Ye
The impact of VaKE-driven online discussions on critical thinking styles among Chinese undergraduates
Frontiers in Psychology
values and knowledge education (VaKE)
critical thinking styles
online discussion forums
undergraduates
China
title The impact of VaKE-driven online discussions on critical thinking styles among Chinese undergraduates
title_full The impact of VaKE-driven online discussions on critical thinking styles among Chinese undergraduates
title_fullStr The impact of VaKE-driven online discussions on critical thinking styles among Chinese undergraduates
title_full_unstemmed The impact of VaKE-driven online discussions on critical thinking styles among Chinese undergraduates
title_short The impact of VaKE-driven online discussions on critical thinking styles among Chinese undergraduates
title_sort impact of vake driven online discussions on critical thinking styles among chinese undergraduates
topic values and knowledge education (VaKE)
critical thinking styles
online discussion forums
undergraduates
China
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1494055/full
work_keys_str_mv AT xiaoshuxu theimpactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT xiaoshuxu theimpactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT yujiesu theimpactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT huanhuanzhang theimpactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT viviannganlinlei theimpactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT xiaofangye theimpactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT xiaoshuxu impactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT xiaoshuxu impactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT yujiesu impactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT huanhuanzhang impactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT viviannganlinlei impactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates
AT xiaofangye impactofvakedrivenonlinediscussionsoncriticalthinkingstylesamongchineseundergraduates