Promotion of critical thinking in e-learning: a qualitative study on the experiences of instructors and students

Figures & data

Table 1 Main themes and categories associated with promotion of critical thinking in virtual education

Instructional design	Philosophical outlook and theoretical framework
	Learning management system
	Virtual teaching–learning process	Course objectives and outcome-based assessment Problem-based teaching strategies Feedback
Educational leadership and management	Meritocracy
	Empowering the instructors
	Support system for virtual environment
Local evidence	Thinking within the academic framework
	Evidence-based teaching
Belief systems	Sociocultural roots of thinking
	Previous experiences and intellectual backgrounds
	Personal characteristics and differences of the instructors
	Personal characteristics and differences of the students

Figure 1 The spiral development of critical thinking.

Figure 2 Framework of promoting critical thinking in e-learning.

Figure S1 Informed consent form