THE EFFECTIVENESS OF PROBLEM-BASED LEARNING METHOD IN DEVELOPING STUDENTS' CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS

he rapid development of science, technology, and information exchange in the 21st century requires educational institutions to prepare learners who can think critically, solve complex problems, and make informed decisions. Traditional teaching approaches often focus on memorization and reproduction of knowledge, limiting students’ ability to analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information. Therefore, innovative teaching methods that promote higher-order thinking skills have become increasingly important. One such approach is Problem-Based Learning (PBL), which places students at the center of the learning process and encourages active engagement with real-life problems.

This article examines the effectiveness of the problem-based learning method in developing students’ critical thinking skills. Through an analysis of theoretical and empirical literature, the study explores the principles of PBL, its impact on critical thinking development, and its role in fostering independent learning, collaboration, and problem-solving abilities. The findings indicate that problem-based learning significantly enhances students’ analytical reasoning, reflective thinking, creativity, and decision-making skills. Furthermore, PBL contributes to increased learner motivation and deeper understanding of academic content. The article concludes that integrating problem-based learning into educational practice can effectively prepare students for the challenges of modern society and lifelong learning.

21世纪科技与信息交流的飞速发展，要求教育机构培养能够进行批判性思考、解决复杂问题并做出明智决策的学习者。传统教学模式往往侧重于知识的记忆与再现，限制了学生的信息分析、评估与综合能力。因此，能够促进高阶思维技能的创新教学方法愈发受到重视。其中一种此类方法便是基于问题的学习（Problem-Based Learning，PBL），该模式将学生置于学习过程的中心，鼓励他们积极参与现实生活中的问题探究。

本文旨在探究基于问题的学习方法在培养学生批判性思维技能方面的有效性。研究通过对理论与实证文献的分析，探讨了PBL的核心原则、其对批判性思维发展的影响，以及其在培养自主学习、协作与问题解决能力方面的作用。研究结果表明，基于问题的学习可显著提升学生的分析推理、反思性思维、创造力与决策能力。此外，PBL还有助于提升学习者的学习动机，并加深其对学术内容的理解。本文最终得出结论：将基于问题的学习融入教育实践，可有效助力学生应对现代社会的挑战，并为终身学习奠定基础。