ASSESSING QUALITY OF CRITICAL THOUGHT IN ONLINE DISCUSSION

Lisa Weltzer-Ward, Walden University, Belgium; Dr Beate Baltes, Walden University, Torrance, CA, USA; Dr Laura Knight Lynn, Walden University, Des Plaines, IL, USA

Although process, structure, and quality of online discussion have been assessed independently, a standard framework integrating these aspects for comprehensive assessment of critical thinking in online discussions is not available (Fahy, 2005; Zohar & Nemet, 2002). This paper describes a theoretically based coding framework for an integrated analysis and assessment of critical thinking in online discussion. The implementation of this critical thinking assessment framework (TAF) in future studies will ultimately help identify online educational activities and tools which best support development and application of critical thinking skills. Furthermore, it might be used to assess critical thinking of individual discussion participants or small groups. The reliability and efficacy of the framework for general discussion assessment are presented.