Ireland

1. Ireland: Transition Year (TY) Program

Approach to Teaching Critical Thinking:

• Curriculum Design: Transition Year (TY) in Ireland is designed to go beyond traditional subject learning, integrating critical thinking through specialized modules and interdisciplinary projects (Department of Education and Skills, 2014).
• Project-Based Learning: Emphasises real-world problem-solving and collaborative projects, aligning with experiential learning theories (Kolb, 1984).

Academic Rigour and Theory:

• Constructivism: The TY program aligns with constructivist theory, particularly Piaget’s theory of cognitive development, which emphasizes active learning through real-world experiences (Piaget, 1972).
• Experiential Learning: Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory (1984) supports the use of real-world problems and reflection in the TY program, enhancing critical thinking through experiential learning.

Impact Measurement:

• Academic Performance: Studies indicate improved academic results post-TY (McCarthy, 2015).
• Skills Development: Enhanced problem-solving and critical thinking abilities are reported by both students and educators (Irish National Teachers’ Organisation, 2017).

References:

• Department of Education and Skills. (2014). Transition Year Programme: Guidelines for Schools. Government Publications.
• Kolb, D. A. (1984). Experiential Learning: Experience as the Source of Learning and Development. Prentice Hall.
• Piaget, J. (1972). Psychology and Pedagogy. Viking Press.
• McCarthy, C. (2015). Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Transition Year Programme in Irish Secondary Schools. Irish Educational Studies, 34(2), 173-189.
• Irish National Teachers’ Organisation. (2017). Critical Thinking and Transition Year: An Analysis. Journal of Irish Education, 25(3), 55-72.