ABSTRACT VIEW
FOSTERING CRITICAL THINKING AND DIALOGUE ON CORPORATE SUSTAINABILITY AND GLOBAL CHALLENGES IN MASTER'S STUDENTS THROUGH MULTIMEDIA RESOURCES IN VIRTUAL SPACES
M.J. Muñoz-Torres, E. Escrig-Olmedo, I. Ferrero-Ferrero, J.M. Rivera-Lirio
Universitat Jaume I (SPAIN)
Corporate sustainability and global challenges, such as climate change, inequality, and social justice, are critical issues in higher education and are intrinsically linked to corporate sustainability training. However, teaching these topics should extend beyond the mere transmission of theoretical knowledge. It is essential to foster critical thinking and meaningful dialogue, empowering students to apply sustainability concepts in complex, real-world corporate settings.

This study explores an educational innovation within the fully online Master's in Sustainability and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). While virtual education offers flexibility, it also presents challenges in promoting critical thinking and active discourse without face-to-face interaction. Addressing these challenges requires the implementation of innovative strategies that leverage multimedia resources and collaborative virtual spaces to create an engaging learning environment where students can develop analytical reasoning, argumentation, and constructive dialogue skills in corporate sustainability.

Therefore, the primary objective of this educational proposal is to enhance critical thinking and structured discussion through interactive multimedia and virtual engagement. To achieve this, the methodology integrates problem-based learning (PBL) and collaborative learning in an online setting. The project incorporates multimedia-based learning activities, such as videos, podcasts, and interactive simulations, to enrich content delivery. Additionally, guided debates in online forums, collaborative virtual spaces, and structured teamwork assignments foster active student participation and critical discourse. To ensure effective learning outcomes, assessment methods go beyond knowledge acquisition, utilizing structured rubrics to evaluate analytical reasoning, argumentation, and problem-solving skills. The approach also includes self-assessment tools and continuous feedback mechanisms to support students’ intellectual growth and engagement.

By fostering active participation through clear guidelines and continuous feedback, this educational proposal demonstrates how multimedia resources and virtual collaboration can enhance critical thinking in sustainability education. The findings contribute to advancing pedagogical strategies in online master's programs, equipping students with the analytical and problem-solving skills necessary to navigate corporate sustainability challenges effectively.

Keywords: Corporate sustainability, virtual education, problem-solving approach, collaborative learning, innovative learning experiences in higher education.

Event: EDULEARN25
Track: Digital & Distance Learning
Session: e-Learning Experiences
Session type: VIRTUAL