This article aimed to provide a descriptive review of the psychometric properties and conceptual dimensions of published health literacy measurement tools. PsycINFO and PubMed search from 1999 through 2013, review of the grey literature, and an environmental scan was conducted to identify health literacy measurement tools. For each tool, we evaluated the conceptual dimensions assessed, test parameters, and psychometric properties. Of the 51 tools identified, 26 measured general health literacy, and 15 were disease or content specific, and 10 aimed at specific populations. Most tools are performance based, require in-person administration, and are exclusively available in a pencil and paper testing mode. The tools assess 0 (proxy measure) to 9 of the 11 defined dimensions of health literacy. Reported administration times vary, from less than 1 to 60 minutes. Validation procedures for most of the tools are limited by inadequate power to ensure reliability across subgroups (i.e., race, age, ethnicity, and gender). The health literacy measurement tools currently available generally represent a narrow set of conceptual dimensions with limited modes of administration. Most of the tools lack information on key psychometric properties. Significant work is needed to establish important aspects of the construct, convergent, and predictive validity for many tools. As researchers develop new measures, inclusion of a full range of conceptual dimensions of health literacy, more representative sampling for testing, and additional modes of administration will allow a more refined and flexible approach to research in this field.

Health Literacy Measurement: An Inventory and Descriptive Summary of 51 Instruments

Critical thinking is a highly desirable goal of online higher education courses. This article presents qualitative data from a mixed-method study that explores how asynchronous discussions within online courses influence critical thinking among students. In this study, online discussions were related to higher levels of critical thinking, but qualitative data indicate that the way discussions are used and facilitated is vital for encouraging critical thinking. Online discussions typically have the purpose of creating a space and time for informal, open-ended thinking to occur. Critical thinking appears to be best encouraged among students when a more consistent emphasis is placed on the discussions, and when instructor facilitation is less frequent but more purposeful.

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Encouraging Critical Thinking in Online Threaded Discussions.

Preface Part I. Research on Learning 1. Introduction to Research on Learning, Patricia A. Alexander and Richard E. Mayer 2. Learning to Read, Emily Fox and Patricia A. Alexander 3. Learning to Write, Susan De La Paz and Deborah McCutchen 4. Learning Mathematics, Ann R. Edwards, Indigo Esmonde, and Joseph F. Wagner 5. Learning Science, Richard Duschl and Richard Hamilton 6. Learning History, Linda Levstik 7. Learning a Second Language, Min Wang 8. Learning Motor Skill in Physical Education, Catherine D. Ennis and Ang Chen 9. Learning to Think Critically, Christina Bonney and Robert J. Sternberg 10. Learning to Self-Monitor and Self-Regulate, Marcel V. J. Veenman 11. Learning with Motivation, Eric M. Anderman and Heather Dawson Part II. Research on Instruction 12. Introduction to Research on Instruction, Patricia A. Alexander and Richard E. Mayer 13. Instruction Based on Feedback, John Hattie and Mark Gan 14. Instruction Based on Examples, Alexander Renkl 15. Instruction Based on Self-Explanation, Brenda A. Fonseca and Michelene T. H. Chi 16. Instruction Based on Peer Interaction, Kathryn R. Wentzel and Deborah E. Watkins 17. Instruction Based on Cooperative Learning, Robert E. Slavin 18. Instruction Based on Inquiry, Sofie M. M. Loyens and Remy M. J. P. Rikers 19. Instruction Based on Discussion, P. Karen Murphy, Ian A. G., Wilkinson, and Anna O. Soter 20. Instruction Based on Tutoring, Arthur C. Graesser, Sidney D'Mello, and Whitney Cade 21. Instruction Based on Visualizations, Richard E. Mayer 22. Instruction Based on Computer Simulation, Ton de Jong

Handbook of Research on Learning and Instruction

Change is ubiquitous in health care, making continuous adaptation necessary for clinicians to provide the best possible care to their patients. The authors propose that developing the capabilities of a Master Adaptive Learner will provide future physicians with strategies for learning in the health care environment and for managing change more effectively. The concept of a Master Adaptive Learner describes a metacognitive approach to learning based on self-regulation that can foster the development and use of adaptive expertise in practice. The authors describe a conceptual literature-based model for a Master Adaptive Learner that provides a shared language to facilitate exploration and conversation about both successes and struggles during the learning process.

Fostering the Development of Master Adaptive Learners: A Conceptual Model to Guide Skill Acquisition in Medical Education.

Although higher education understands the need to develop critical thinkers, it has not lived up to the task consistently. Students are graduating deficient in these skills, unprepared to think critically once in the workforce. Limited development of cognitive processing skills leads to less effective leaders. Various definitions of critical thinking are examined to develop a general construct to guide the discussion as critical thinking is linked to constructivism, leadership, and education. Most pedagogy is content‐based built on deep knowledge. Successful critical thinking pedagogy is moving away from this paradigm, teaching students to think complexly. Some of the challenges faced by higher education moving to a critical thinking curricula are discussed, and recommendations are offered for improving outcomes.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1111/j.1469-5812.2010.00672.x

Deficient Critical Thinking Skills among College Graduates: Implications for leadership

Exercise 1 Read through the following statements and tick those that you think may come from critical thinkers. “I hate talk shows where people just state their opinions but never give any reasons at all” “No matter how complex a problem, you can bet there will be a simple solution” “Just because information is in a textbook, doesn’t necessarily mean it can be trusted” “My views are probably shaped by the social and economic groups I belong to” “I hate it when teachers discuss problems instead of just giving the information” “Selling an idea is like selling cars, you say whatever works” “I like to think about whether someone’s views reflects the experience of all groups of people” “I question the authority of evidence before I accept it” Outline of Lecture

Jason Moulenbelt

Papers

Defining Critical Thinking

Defining Critical Thinking: How Far Have We Come?

A Study in the Morality of the African American Reparation