Nikola Tesla Institute
Dr. Dragana Naumović-Vuković
Critical Thinking in Science and Education
ABSTRACT
Critical thinking in science means the ability to distinguish facts from assumptions, analyzing data without bias, and asking questions that lead to deeper understanding. Through critical thinking, scientists make discoveries that change our perspective on the world. Critical thinking represents the foundation upon which the entire scientific method is built. Without the ability to think critically, scientific progress would be significantly limited, and our ability to solve problems, innovate, and build a sustainable future would be diminished. NANO-THINK project (Teaching critical thinking in science through nano-learning and virtual exchange principles) is dedicated to developing a specialized learning program that actively encourages the development of critical thinking in various scientific disciplines. By utilizing distance learning technology and concept of nano-learning, the project aims at providing an efficient and unique learning experience. This paper presents key results of the GAP analysis conducted on a sample of 585 students and 218 teaching staff from Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, as well as further steps in this project. The activities are implemented in partnership involving the following institutions: Faculty of Health Studies from Rijeka, which is also the project coordinator, the Nikola Tesla Institute from Belgrade, University of Donja Gorica, Medical Faculty from Graz, International Burch University, the Verlab Institute from Sarajevo, company B-Solutions from Tivat and the International Academy of Science and Arts in Bosnia and Herzegovina.
Keywords:critical thinking, science, education, nano-learning, distance learning, virtual exchange
Biography of the presenter
Dragana Naumovic Vukovic, PhD received the Dipl. Ing. degree in Electrical Engineering and the M.Sc. degree from the University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia, School of Electrical Engineering, in 1992 and 1997, respectively. She received the Ph.D. degree from the University of Novi Sad, Faculty of Technical Sciences in 2018. She was with the Institute of Nuclear Sciences, Vinča, Serbia, from 1992 to 1997. She was with the Bureau for Measures and Precious Metals, Belgrade, from 1997 to 2003. Since 2003, she joined the Electrical Engineering Institute Nikola Tesla, University of Belgrade, Serbia where she is currently Head of Calibration Laboratory. Her current research interests include the calibration techniques for instrument transformers and electronic instrumentation, as well as the design and manufacturing of precision test equipment for instrument transformers. She is a delegate of the Serbian National Committee in the International Electrotechnical Commission IEC, Technical Committee 38 (IEC TC 38) – Instrument transformers. She is also the chairman of the Study Committee SK A3: High Voltage Equipment, of the Serbian National Committee CIGRE – CIGRE Serbia.
