Developing critical thinking and professional skills in animal science students through case-based learning and cognitive interventions

Case-based learning immerses students in real-world scenarios, prompting observation, action, and reflection, enhancing cognitive skills. The open-ended nature of such learning can challenge students to reach higher levels of critical thinking; however, we have noticed that without guidance, students often do not know how to approach these types of questions. Therefore, the objective of this study was to investigate how two low-input interventions affect cognitive skill development and impact student performance on case studies. Three semesters of an undergraduate animal physiology course employed a case-based assessment strategy to provide a more practical evaluation of student understanding and ability to apply their knowledge. Semester 1 (S1) represented no intervention, Semester 2 (S2) included two dedicated class periods of instructor-led guidance on metacognition and approaching case studies, and Semester 3 (S3) utilized an online peer evaluation platform, where students consistently evaluated and provided feedback to each other. In S2 and S3, surveys were administered to understand changes in students' perceptions of their own cognitive skills. S3 students had improved (<i>P </i>< 0.05) performance when compared to their pre-intervention case study and the average case study scores from S1 and S2. When comparing changes in perceptions, students' confidence in their cognitive skills generally increased in S2 and S3. While peer evaluation improved student performance, free responses indicated that students did not enjoy peer evaluation and felt that it was not beneficial to their learning. Peer evaluation provides a unique opportunity for students to actively engage in the learning process and to practice cognitive skills. This process holds dual benefit as reviewing peers requires students to reflect, analyze, and evaluate, which are cognitive skills needed to solve case studies and needed for future careers in animal science.