Using critical thinking in a web-based public budgeting course

Although the use of Internet-based courses continues to grow in the field of public administration education, evidence about the use of critical thinking in Internet-based course discussion questions is still sparse. Studies suggest that many Internet-based courses fail to incorporate critical thinking into the discussion. This article examines use of critical thinking in an electronic Discussion Board in an internet-based course. The author finds that Discussion Questions, in conjunction with Case Assignments and examinations have the potential to provide a forum for developing critical thinking skills since students have more time to reflect on their response than they do in a regular classroom setting.