USING THE CASE STUDY METHOD TO IMPROVE THE CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS OF IT STUDENTS

Abstract

This paper investigates the efficacy of implementing case study activities as a pedagogical approach to enhance critical thinking skills among second-year students enrolled in Profession-oriented foreign language (POFL) Pre-Intermediate level during the Academic Year 2023-2024 at the International Information Technology University (IITU). The research employs a pre-test and post-test design to assess the impact of case study interventions on students' critical thinking abilities. A sample of 52 undergraduate students at IITU participated in the study. The participants were randomly assigned to either the experimental groups, which engaged in structured case study activities, or the control groups, which received traditional instructional methods. Pre-test measures were administered to all groups to establish baseline levels of critical thinking proficiency. Following a structured case study intervention period spanning six weeks, post-test assessments were administered to all groups as well. Preliminary findings indicate a statistically significant improvement in critical thinking skills among the experimental groups, providing empirical support for the effectiveness of case study activities in promoting higher-order thinking abilities. These results have significant implications for instructional practices at IITU and offer valuable insights for educators seeking to cultivate critical thinking skills in students within the information technology domain.