Enhancing critical thinking and problem-solving skills through active-learning strategies

Critical thinking, data analysis and problem-solving are highly valuable analytical skills for academic and professional purposes, especially in the healthcare sector. These skills are a key focus of the organic chemistry course for first-year undergraduate students in veterinary science. There are clear analogies between diagnostic process and the molecule identification based on the analysis of spectroscopic data. Both tasks involve gathering relevant information, developing causal hypotheses and testing them. Statistical data show that chemistry problem-solving tasks involving interactive digital technologies contribute to enhancing students’ analytical skills and motivation. Face-to-face, distance and blended learning approaches will be shared.