Which of the following promotes the development of critical thinking skills in students?

Promoting the development of critical thinking skills in students is fundamentally about encouraging them to engage deeply with content and to think analytically about various subjects. Fostering open-ended questions and discussions achieves this by inviting students to explore topics from multiple angles, express their thoughts, and defend their viewpoints. Such an approach stimulates curiosity and fosters a learning environment where students actively participate, challenge assumptions, and learn from one another.

Open-ended questions, in particular, encourage students to elaborate on their thoughts, consider alternative perspectives, and develop reasoning skills. This type of dialogue helps them learn to analyze information critically rather than just accepting it at face value. In contrast, practices such as rote memorization, limiting discussions, and strict lecture formats tend to hinder critical thinking by prioritizing the regurgitation of information over exploration and understanding.