Effective Methods for Developing Critical Thinking in New Generation Textbooks

Abstract: This article analyzes effective ways to develop students’ critical thinking using new generation textbooks as an example. The study examines the role of tasks and exercises presented in textbooks in fostering students’ skills of independent thinking, analysis, comparison, and drawing conclusions. Additionally, the importance of interactive methods, communicative approaches, and creative assignments in the development of critical thinking is highlighted.

Keywords: new generation textbooks, critical thinking, interactive methods, creative tasks, independent thinking

In today’s world, reforms are being implemented in every sphere of human life. Likewise, as a result of recent reforms in the education system, new generation textbooks are being developed for school students. Unlike traditional textbooks of previous years, these modern textbooks are designed not only to provide knowledge but also to develop critical thinking skills in students, such as independent thinking, analysis, and problem-solving.

In the modern era, the diversity of information is rapidly increasing. In such circumstances, it is crucial not to passively accept information but to reflect on it, assess it critically, and form a correct understanding of reality. Developing these skills should ideally begin in the early stages of higher grades in schools. It is encouraging that the current scope of new textbooks, particularly in the subject of the native language, meets these requirements.

Taking the 5th-grade native language textbook as an example, it is important to note the use of colorful designs and illustrations selected according to the age characteristics of students. For children who have just completed primary education and are moving to higher grades, capturing their attention is essential. The colorful design helps increase their interest in the textbook. In terms of content, the topics are designed according to modern educational principles to develop critical thinking, communication skills, and text-related competencies. The exercises and assignments encourage student engagement, analysis, comparison, and drawing conclusions.

It should also be emphasized that the audio texts included in the textbook directly help develop students’ listening comprehension skills. Students first listen to the text and then answer questions based on its content, expressing their opinions and drawing conclusions.

For example, in Exercise 36 (page 115) of the 5th-grade native language textbook, the audio text “If You Want to Win” is provided. After listening attentively, students are required to answer the following questions:

What were the conditions of the competition organized by the frogs?

Why did the audience begin to doubt that the frogs could win?

How did the audience’s attitude affect the participants?

How might the winning frog have responded to the questions from the participants and the audience?

These questions encourage students not just to retell the text but to understand the reasons behind events, analyze the actions of characters, think critically, and draw conclusions. The fourth question, in particular, requires students to demonstrate creative thinking and oral expression skills. Through such tasks, students develop a deeper understanding of the text, identify cause-and-effect relationships, and learn to justify their opinions. Additionally, students gradually develop the ability to make independent decisions without being influenced by others’ opinions.

Another type of task in new generation textbooks that contributes to the development of critical thinking is distinguishing between correct and incorrect statements. Such tasks activate students’ thinking processes and encourage them to check, evaluate, justify, and draw conclusions based on information. For instance, in the 5th-grade native language textbook, students are asked to carefully read a short text and identify which statements are supported by evidence and which are not.

The use of audio texts, related exercises, logical questions, and practical assignments in modern textbooks is an effective tool for developing critical thinking. Ultimately, this approach serves the main goal of the educational process — to nurture creative, independent, and critically thinking individuals.

Nilufar Ibroximova was born in 2002 in Norin district, Namangan region. She graduated from the Faculty of Philology at Namangan State University in 2024. Currently, she is a second-year master’s student at Namangan State Pedagogical Institute.

Grzegorz Wróblewski – Asemics from Amager Hospital 2026

Methodology of Teaching Mathematical Concepts in Primary Grades Using Digital Tools 

University of economics and pedagogy NO.T. M 

Primary Education Programme, 4th year, part time mode of study Student of group 50-“F” , 

Isroilova Sarvinoz Maxmud qizi 

israilova174@gmail.com 

Abstract: This article highlights the importance of organizing mathematical concepts in primary grades based on digital tools and using them effectively in the teaching process. The role of digital tools in education and methodological approaches to forming and developing mathematical concepts are presented. Digital technologies contribute to the development of students’ logical thinking, facilitate the revision and reinforcement of previously covered topics, and, in particular, allow for the consistent improvement of educational effectiveness. 

Keywords: primary school mathematics education, digital technologies, interactive whiteboard, educational effectiveness. 

Introduction 

Nowadays, if we pay attention to students in the education system, we can observe a significant difference between students who studied before the widespread introduction of digital technologies and those who currently live surrounded by gadgets and smartphones. It is becoming increasingly difficult to imagine daily life without digital technologies and social networks, as they make our work easier and create various conveniences. Along with numerous advantages, digital technologies also have certain negative aspects. In the past, teachers who taught without digital technologies organized their lessons mainly based on textbooks, and students in mathematics classes mostly used counting sticks. At that time, there were almost no distracting materials, and students’ main activities were carried out using notebooks, pens, and learning tools, which ensured efficient use of time. Today, however, students spend much of their free time using various gadgets. It should be emphasized that our goal is not to criticize digital technologies, but rather to use them appropriately and purposefully. 

Research Experiment 

In this study, the aim was to determine the effectiveness of traditional and modern methods in the process of mastering mathematical examples and problems by primary school students. The research was conducted in two stages. At the first stage, examples and problems were solved using counting sticks during mathematics lessons. Simple addition and subtraction problems and practical tasks were presented to students, who used counting sticks to visually represent numbers and perform arithmetic operations.

Observations revealed that for some students the process of solving problems was slow and that their attention was easily distracted in certain cases. At the second stage, mathematics lessons were conducted using an interactive whiteboard. Animated examples, colorful geometric shapes, and moving objects were used to explain addition and subtraction operations. Students solved problems independently on the board and had the opportunity to immediately check their results.

As a result, students’ interest in the lesson increased, their activity intensified, and they began to solve examples and problems more quickly and accurately. The analysis of the obtained results showed that in lessons conducted using the interactive whiteboard, the level of mastering mathematical concepts was higher compared to lessons based on counting sticks. In particular, positive changes were observed in problem analysis, logical thinking, and independent conclusion-making skills. Based on these findings, it was concluded that the use of modern digital tools, especially interactive whiteboards, along with traditional methods in teaching mathematics in primary grades contributes to improving educational effectiveness.

Within the scope of this research, the issue of increasing the effectiveness of mastering mathematical examples and problems by primary school students was widely discussed in the fields of pedagogy and methodology. The role of traditional and modern teaching methods and their importance in forming students’ knowledge, skills, and competencies were analyzed. It was emphasized that the use of visual aids in primary school mathematics lessons plays an important role in developing students’ abstract thinking. In particular, performing addition and subtraction using counting sticks, cards, and object models contributes to forming and strengthening the concept of numbers, as noted in many studies. Traditional methods, being appropriate to students’ age characteristics, were shown to create opportunities for the conscious and visual mastering of mathematical concepts. 

Analysis and Results 

To further clarify the research results, the outcomes of lessons conducted using traditional and modern methods were analyzed using a diagram. According to the data presented in the diagram, the level of mastering examples and problems in lessons organized using traditional methods was 62 percent. In lessons where modern pedagogical methods were applied, this indicator reached 85 percent. The obtained results demonstrated that modern methods have high effectiveness in forming and strengthening students’ mathematical knowledge. At the same time, the combination of traditional visual aids with modern approaches contributed to increasing students’ cognitive activity and ensuring the conscious mastering of examples and problems. 

Conclusion 

In conclusion, the use of digital tools in teaching mathematics in primary grades significantly increases the effectiveness of the educational process. The research results show that although traditional methods play an important role in forming initial mathematical concepts, modern digital technologies enhance students’ interest, increase their activity, and contribute to the rapid and durable acquisition of knowledge.

Lessons conducted using interactive whiteboards, animations, and colorful visual tools were found to develop students’ logical thinking, analytical skills, and independent conclusion-making abilities. Diagram-based analyses confirmed that the level of mastery is higher in lessons where modern methods are applied. Therefore, combining traditional and modern methods and using digital tools purposefully and systematically in primary education is one of the key factors in improving the quality of education. 

References 

1. Abdullayeva M., Jo‘rayev R. Methodology of Primary Education. — Tashkent: O‘qituvchi, 2019. 

2. Xudoyberdiyev M. Methodology of Teaching Mathematics in Primary Grades. — Tashkent: Fan va texnologiya, 2021. 

3. Qosimova K. Pedagogical Technologies and Interactive Methods. — Tashkent: Innovatsiya, 2020. 

4. Sobirova D. Improving Educational Effectiveness Based on Digital Technologies. — Collection of Scientific Articles, 2022. 

5. ARM Electronic Library. Pedagogical and methodological electronic resources. — Online source. 

6. Karimova N. Using Modern Educational Technologies in Primary Grades. — Tashkent: Pedagogika, 2018. 

7. Rasulov Sh. Methodology of Using Information Technologies in Mathematics Lessons. — Tashkent: Fan, 2020. 8. UNESCO. Information and Communication Technologies in Education. — Paris, 2021

Winter’s Edge

raw bonito 

the chef’s knife trembles 

with last year’s debt 

a helping hand

on the slippery slopes

winter mountain

frostbites

her withered hands

warms his

waiting alone—

good company around

the winter fountain

MY CHILDHOOD

Of my world, in my childhood,  

I was the king.  

I could enjoy freely everything.  

I was the king without a crown.  

I would wander around the village or the town.  

I knew no right and wrong;

 For my pleasure I would sing any familiar song.  

I would laugh at everyone’s grief,  

As long as I wished.  I would sleep  

Wherever I wished, I would play  

In the kitchen or on the way.  

I didn’t know It was bad.  

If I was stopped, I felt sad.  

Now I am grown up and I know 

What to do and where to go.

Shafkat Aziz Hajam is a children’s poet. He writes for little children and adult children. He is the author of two children poetry books titled as The Cuckoo’s Voice and Tawheed Islamic Rhymes. He has also authored one adult poetry book titled as The Unknown Wounded Heart. His poems have appeared in international magazines and anthologies like Wheel song anthology UK based, Prodigy, digital literary magazines based in the USA, Inner Child Press International USA and translated works in a Lebanese anthology.

Human Dignity

One of the most pressing global issues today is human dignity. Whether viewed from a religious perspective or from the standpoint of science, a human being is a conscious and intellectually developed entity. The difference between humans and animals does not lie in appearance or the ability to speak. Humans possess qualities that no other living being on Earth has—wisdom, intellect, perception, thinking, and memory. From a religious point of view as well, sacred scriptures state that humans are the most perfected creation of God.

Without straying from our topic, let us reflect on how human dignity is measured today. What is human dignity? In my opinion, human dignity means that in every society individuals—people—respect one another, refrain from various conflicts, stay away from insulting words, extend a helping hand to each other selflessly, and do not use this help for personal gain.

Among the worst vices that trample on human dignity are human trafficking, the trade in human organs, the violence and aggressive acts currently being committed against innocent young girls, and the deaths of innocent people in wars caused by conflicts between states. Human dignity stands above everything else. Just as many people measure happiness with money, they also measure human worth with money—this is degradation. Human dignity is reflected in every good deed, in selfless charity, and in a sincere smile.

Never trample on your own dignity or the values of others for the sake of mere paper money! After all, all the problems in society stem from this.

5 poems from my haiCU series (haiku Cut-Up series)

 

no remorse no joke

mixed reactions die          

American bombing love  

no remorse no joke

newly mopped bar wax

chemicaled beer swag     

putting dance moves on carnage 

newly mopped bar wax   

bangtail bubblegum

arrested archives   

faux intelligentsia 

bangtail bubblegum

happy lips gob smacked

in the frozen weeds

surgical chocolate drinks 

happy lips gob smacked

homeless city bones

nighttime is brutal 

haunted by what could have been – 

homeless city bones

Poet/Author Scott C. Holstad’s newest book of poems, Surviving Immortality Again, was released in 2025 by Alien Buddha Press. His haiku, fragments, found poetry, Cut-Up works and other experiments, as well as more traditional works, have recently appeared in dadakuku, Five Fleas, Misfit, Libre, Cosmic Daffodil Journal, Synchronized Chaos, haiQu fOO, miniMAG, smols, Mad Swirl and Blood+Honey. He lives in Pennsylvania.

https://hankrules2011.com

X: @tangledscott 

IG: @scottsmusicshak