Thinking Skills

Approaches to Learning

o   Critical thinking - Analyzing and evaluating issues and ideas, and forming decisions

1. Analyzing
   • Forming Decisions
     • Develop contrary or opposing arguments.
     • Propose and evaluate a variety of solutions.
     • Revise understandings based on new information and evidence.
     • Draw conclusions and generalizations.
   • Evaluating
     • Organize relevant information to formulate an argument.
     • Evaluate evidence and arguments, and associated decisions.
     • Recognize unstated assumptions and biases.
     • Consider ideas from multiple perspectives.
     • Synthesize new understandings by finding unique characteristics, seeing relationships and connections.
     • Test generalizations and conclusions.
     • Identify obstacles and challenges.
       • Observe carefully in order to recognize problems.
       • Analyzing and evaluating issues and ideas, and forming decisions
   • Consider meaning of materials.
   • Take knowledge or ideas apart by separating them into component parts.
   • Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.
   • Creative Thinking - Generating novel ideas and considering new perspectives.
     • Generating novel ideas
       • Use discussions and diagrams to generate new ideas and inquiries.
       • Practice “visible thinking” strategies and techniques.
       • Make unexpected or unusual connections between objects and/or ideas.
       • Design improvements to existing products, processes, media and technologies.
     • Considering new perspectives
       • Ask “what if” questions and generate testable hypotheses.
       • Apply existing knowledge to design new products processes, media and technologies.
       • Consider multiple alternatives, including those that might be unlikely or impossible.
       • Practice flexible thinking—develop multiple opposing, contradictory and complementary arguments.
       • Practice “visible thinking” strategies and techniques.
       • Generate metaphors and analogies.
   • Information Transfer - Using skills and knowledge in multiple contexts.

1. • • Use memory techniques to develop long-term memory.
     • Inquire in different contexts to gain different perspectives.
     • Make connections between units of inquiry and between subjects.
     • Transfer conceptual understandings across transdisciplinary themes and subjects.
     • Combine knowledge, conceptual understandings and skills to create products or solutions.
     • Apply skills and knowledge in unfamiliar situations or outside of school.
     • Help others develop conceptual understandings and skills.

1. • Reflection and Metacognition - Using thinking skills to reflect on the process of learning.

1. • • Identify strengths and areas for improvement.
     • Consider new skills, techniques, and strategies for effective learning.
     • Record thinking and reflection processes.
     • Reflect on their learning by asking questions.