Tutors' Roles Depending on Problem-Solving Phases for Facilitating the Critical Thinking Ability in Online Learning

Facilitating critical thinking is important for students' cognitive growth and knowledge acquisition. This study examines the dimensions of tutors' roles in facilitating the critical thinking required for problem solving in online discussions. The research procedures include identifying the research problems related to critical thinking skills; synthesizing theories and perspectives on critical thinking skills; and analyzing, validating, and determining tutors' roles. Using the results of this study, problem solving processes are divided into four phases: analyzing, judging, inferencing, and meta-cognitively evaluating. Tutors' roles in online problem solving can be categorized into four domains: cognitive, social, managerial, and technical. Tutors' roles in each domain are specifically analyzed, and the strengths, weaknesses, and improvements in tutors' facilitation of critical thinking for online problem solving are evaluated.