The Effectiveness of Implementing Multiple Intelligences Theory and The Six Thinking Hats Approach in Enhancing Academic Performance and Cultivating Critical Thinking Skills Among University Students

Abstract

This study investigates the effectiveness of employing multiple intelligences theory and the six thinking hats approach in enhancing academic achievement and critical thinking skills among students at Imam Abdulrahman bin Faisal University. The researchers developed two teacher guides for the critical thinking unit within the communication and learning skills curriculum: one for the multiple intelligences theory and another for the six thinking hats approach. Additionally, academic achievement and critical thinking tests were created as assessment tools. The study sample consisted of two classes, with the first experimental group (36 students) instructed using the multiple intelligences theory and the second experimental group (37 students) instructed using the six thinking hats approach. Results indicated statistically significant differences at the 0.05 level in post-test achievement of the critical thinking unit, favoring the first experimental group. Furthermore, significant differences were found in the development of critical thinking skills, again favoring the multiple intelligences theory. Based on these findings, the researchers propose a series of recommendations to enhance educational practices.