Resumen de Creative writing and Critical Thinking Enhancement at Higher Education

Antonella Poce, Francesca Amenduni

• Currently, educational policy makers identify Critical Thinking (CT) as an essential driver for development and knowledge growth in any field and in the broad society. Peer interactions and writing activities are helpful pedagogical strategies for CT enhancement especially when supported by the use of technologies (Guiller, Durndell, & Ross, 2008).

  Starting from the above-mentioned evidence, a university module was designed by combining collaborative and creative writing sessions based on critical analysis of literary texts and the fruition of figurative arts. 123 students worked in groups and their CT level was assessed at different times of the course. Most of the students’ groups showed an increase of their CT level. The difficulties in the management of group dynamics corresponded to CT level decreasing. On the contrary, groups able to organize their work improved their CT throughout the course. Additionally, students’ work modes had an impact on their performance at different CT tasks. The research results could be used to improve university course design for CT education.