Promoting Strong Opinions, Weakly Held in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Abstract

Striving for a “strong opinion, weakly held” is a desired approach to learning. It embodies strong evidence-based committed opinions, which are open to re-evaluation should clear counter-evidence be presented. Here, several established pedagogical frameworks are explored to develop a “strong opinion, weakly held” attitude in student learning. The Perry scheme works as guide for teachers to drive student learning towards viewing commitments as a tool to express their opinions. In addition, learning styles and the use of taxonomies are useful methods to design effective teaching learning activities to promote a more advanced approach to learning. Applying these tools together with the use of metacognition and critical thinking in relation to students beliefs will encourage them to form strong opinions and be open-minded regarding other’s opinions and arguments, i.e. “strong opinion, weakly held”. Furthermore, we strongly advise teaching staff to promote a “strong opinion, weakly held” in students throughout the whole studies by implementing appropriate teaching-learning activities e.g. group work or group projects where students work their way through problem-based projects which have multiple solution strategies.