Critical Thinking and Computing Project in Computer Studies Postgraduate Methods Course: Technology Perspective

This paper investigates the level of engagement of critical thinking skills to the five-step problem solving process in postgraduate project development in a computer studies method course at the University of Botswana. It employed qualitative document analysis to analyse documentations submitted by the 21 postgraduate diploma students as part of their coursework for a computing methods course. The development of critical thinking skills; notably making well-informed decisions, explain own reasoning and solving unknown problems during project development is a very crucial component of our methods course. The findings indicate that the students lack critical thinking skills that are necessary for problem-solving for this level. This paper then proposes some key critical thinking questions that the students could ask during the project development process in order to remain focused on key issues during the whole development process from problem analysis to the final implementation stage. These questions will foster the development of the necessary lifelong critical thinking skills that students should master for their work. This implies that there is need for a change in our methodological approach to the teaching of this section of the course.