Infusing Critical Thinking Skill Compare and Contrast into Content of Data Structures Course

This paper describes some of our efforts in infusing the critical thinking skill of comparing and contrasting into a course on data structures. Comparing and contrasting is the process of looking at similarities and differences in order to reveal important characteristics of two objects, systems, organizations, events, processes or concepts. In comparing and contrasting two subjects, we identify relevant factors for comparison, discuss both similarities and differences between the two subjects with respect to each of these factors, investigate if there are any patterns in the similarities and differences, and make a conclusion based on this investigation. A skillful use of compare and contrast yields greater and deeper understanding of what is being taught. The conclusion drawn from compare and contrast can also help in designing a better system or process. Using a set of carefully chosen examples, we demonstrate that critical thinking skills can be naturally introduced in the course content of computer curricula at tertiary level. It is expected that infusion of critical thinking skills into course content and their explicit introduction stimulates students thinking and improves their learning ability.