Undergraduate thesis.

This research study explored the effectiveness of active learning strategies in fostering critical thinking abilities among second year nursing students at Olivarez College. The study addressed the need for innovative teaching approaches in nursing education by examining the impact of active learning on students{92} analytical and problem-solving skills ( Pivac, Skela-Savic, Jovic, Avdic & Kalender-Smajlovic, 2021). A mixed-methods research design was employed, utilizing pre-test and pos-test to measure changes in critical thinking, and incorporating student feedback through evaluation forms to provide a comprehensive analysis (Creswell & Plano Clark, 2018). The study involved 30 second-year nursing students who participated in the active learning intervention. The findings revealed a significant improvement in the students{92} critical thinking skills following the implementation of active learning strategies, particularly the think-pair-share method ( Guenther & Abbott, 2024; Raba, 2017). The results highlight the potential of active learning to enhance student engagement, collaboration, and the development of essential critical thinking skills in nursing education.