Students in online extension courses
Schools reached through online courses
Students in UQCTP event days each year
Educators trained
Disciplines participating to event days
Academics trained
Organisations trained
Results
Building aspiration
- Over 90% of students participating in WRIT1999: Effective Thinking and Writing express greater confidence in their thinking and writing skills, and greater preparedness for their future studies. (Dr Lesley Jolly, ‘WRIT1999 Effective Thinking and Writing. An Evaluation’, 2017)
- Transition rate to UQ of low-SES students from WRIT1999: Effective Thinking and Writing in 2017 surpassed 58%. By comparison, participation average among students of similar background in the Group of Eight Universities is 8.7%; national average is 17.7%; and UQ average is 9.83%. (UQ Planning and Business Intelligence)
Building capacity
- Regression analyses on longitudinal data (2012-2016) from the IMPACT Centre Critical Thinking program show effect sizes between 0.3 and 0.55 standard deviations on NAPLAN reading, numeracy, and writing tests for students, after as few as 11-12 hours of instruction. On average, these gains amount to progression up half to one of 6-10 achievement bands, depending on the year level. (DET Performance Analytics & Reporting)
- The majority of students participating in WRIT1999: Effective Thinking and Writing express a sense of greater independence, autonomy of judgment, and understanding of what will be required from them as prospective university students (Dr Lesley Jolly, ‘WRIT1999 Effective Thinking and Writing. An Evaluation’, 2017.)
- Students from the Cavendish Road Academy of Ideas who participated in the Critical Thinking program showed 12.5% improvement in the A-B range across the curriculum. (Cavendish Road State High School data)
Testimonials
“The University of Queensland Critical Thinking Project has been vital to the success of the Department of Education and Training’s Solid Pathways program since its inception. […] The Department values the work that the University of Queensland is doing to support our State School teachers in making a difference for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander young people.”
—Selwyn Button, Assistance Director General, Indigenous Education
“The results of this collaboration are seriously impressive. Schools are reporting improved student attitudes towards learning and thinking. We are regularly given reports by many schools about improved subject grades and improved NAPLAN results.”
— Glen Watt, Director of BSDE’s IMPACT Centre
“I believe my pedagogical practice has been strengthened through my use of reflective thinking and questioning techniques, ensuring Solid Pathways students are experiencing first hand through a community of inquiry approach the ability to think well, and have knowledge of when they are thinking well.”
—Lana Micallef, teacher and descendent of the Nykina and Dugan peoples
“Critical Thinking is awesome. Before I started I was unable to hold an argument. Thank you for picking me from this small town!”
— Female primary school student, Longreach, Qld
“I have a lot of pride in being part of this programme. This programme gives the students the skills needed to not only participate but to also be analytical, a skill that has endless applications not only in their current learning environment but also in the future and in their everyday lives.”
— Kianu Stirling, UQ student ambassador