Thinking Skills

THINKING SKILLS THROUGH SCIENCE EDUCATION MEANS OF PROMOTION IN A CLASS

THINKING The capacity to think is a valuable asset. When do we think?? Whenever we are confronted with a problem that defies immediate solution we begin to think. Our past experiences can be a reliable guide. At times we might discard the past and think afresh. Knowing how to think in any given situation, which type of thinking to employ – is a vital skill. The start point is understanding that are many different ways to think, that how we think is a matter of conscious choice. So if how to think is a choice, here are some of the most commonly used categories.

1)Creative thinking A working definition of creative thinking is having unusual ideas and innovative thoughts, able to put things in new and imaginative ways. Following exercise will help you to understand our usual pattern of thinking and begin to see things in a different way. Nine dot exercise Connect all nine dots by drawing only four straight lines never leaving the paper

2)Critical thinking A working definition of critical thinking is exercising or involving careful judgement or evaluation. Most commonly it is used to denote exhaustive thinking, means everything belongs to one part or the other. Critical thinkers are able to do the following thinks Be open minded about new ideas Are intellectually independent Look for connection between subjects Ask questions

3)Lateral thinking This is the term used popularized by Edward De Bono to describe a non linear mode of thinking. De Bono’s ‘Lateral thinking course’ remain an effective way to learn how to think in order to systematically generate new ideas. 4)Logical thinking It is the process of progressing a thought process in a linear way. It is probably the dominant thinking process in western society and many others too.

5)Parallel thinking (process is done in a disciplined manner) The term was put forward by Edward De Bono. It is defined as thinking process where focus is split in specific directions. Eg- When done in a group it effectively avoids the consequences of adversarial approach. (as used in courts) In adversarial debate the objective is to prove or disprove statements put forward by other parties. Also known as ‘dialectic approach’.

6)Structured thinking It is another word of discribing critical thinking using templates and models to think exhaustively about something.

7)Strategic thinking It is a widely used term and therefore one that is used in many different ways. Typically it is used to refer sort of thinking required by organizations to set direction. Defined as thinking process applied by individual in contest of achieving success in a game etc as cognitive activity. It produces thought.

8)Positive thinking positive thinking and attitude enables you to see the bright side of life. It may refer to optimism, a mental attitude that interprets situations and events as being best.

9)Reflective thinking ‘Reflection’ means thinking itself thus reflective thinking means reflect thinking. Reflection leads to growth of the individual, morally, psychologically, emotionally etc. Two types of reflective thinking are, Divergent thinking –here mind begins from a common point and there are different views for a student. Convergent thinking- Many different thinking focused on a common point. Path for them will be different.

Divergent

Convergent

10)Associative thinking It is a process of linking one thought or idea to another. This can be used for creative thinking purposes. 11)Radient thinking It is a specific form of associative thinking, where the thinking radiates out from central idea.

SIX MAJOR THINKING SKILLS One of the simplest and easiest ways to develop kids thinking skills is by wording questions in the right way. Whether we are conscious of it or not, different types of questions require us to use different kinds or levels of thinking. According to Bloom’s Taxonomy, a widely recognized classification system, human thinking skills can be broken in to six categories. Knowledge, comprehension, application- are more concrete thinking skills. Analysis, synthesis, evaluation- require more abstraction and are known as Critical thinking skills.

Developing thinking in teaching science Observation Curriculum planning—Long term and short term planning Cognitive Conflict Process Understanding Argument Visual thinking Memory Reasoning Judging Application

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS) Higher Order thinking is a concept of thinking on a level that is higher than just memorizing facts. It takes thinking to higher levels and requires students to do something with the facts-understand them, infer from them, connect them to other facts and concepts, categorize them, manipulate them, HOT involves the learning the complex judgemental skills such as critical thinking and problem solving. HOT is more difficult to learn or teach but also more valuable because such skills are more likely to be usable in situations other than those in which skills was learned.

HOT in learning outcomes such as understanding, reasoning, judging, application, analysis ability to give explanation etc are very common feature of standard based education reform. Psycologist Robert Sternberg was developed a frame work of higher order thinking called “Successful intelligence”.

3 kinds of Higher Order Thinking are 1) Analytical eg:- compare and contrast, evaluate, analyse 2) Practical eg:- show how to use something, demonstrate how in the real world, apply, implement 3) Creative eg:- invent, imagine, design Data’s shows that using all these 3 will increase student understanding

A major role of educators is to challenge and motivate students to become independent thinkers. Parents and teachers can do a lot to encourage HOT even they are answering students question. It provides strong ‘problem solving skills’, ‘Promote strong communication skill’ and teachers about ’conflict management’ and ‘strong research skills’

Problem solving Problem solving is defined as formulating new answers going beyond the simple application of previously learned principles or rules to create a solution to a novel problem.

STEPS IN PROBLEM SOLVING  PREPARATION Problem is analysed and all available information is assembled and studied. INCUBATION No serious work is done on problem though it may come to mind at odd moments. Eg- on walking, while day dreaming, talking etc. ( remember Archimedes) ILLUMINATION It comes in form of idea that looks so promising that it immediately engrosses the thinkers attention. VERIFICATION If the idea is good, it must then be worked over in detail so as to complete a poem or a picture.

Children are naturally curious .Science education feeds that curiosity and provides students with valuable concepts, life skills, career options. As educators we must promote and nurture thinking skills of students. Some of them are :  Think and search Ask students to define concepts in their own words or discuss with other students. Picture A picture is worth a thousand words. Students should be encouraged to make a visual representation of what they are learning. •.

•Encourage questioning Divergent questions asked by students should not be discounted, their creative behavior trends to generalize to other areas. •Think with analogies Ask students to use similes etc to explain a concept which starts with models •Reward creative thinking Must consider students creative and divergent thinking skills. They should be rewarded instead of ‘out of the box’ thinking.

•Make students as your partner A teacher should let the student with HOT challenges know that they will work together as partner to achieve increases in the student skills. •Co-operative learning Many students who exhibit language challenges may benefit from co-operative learning. It provides listening skills.

A good evaluation should be informative from multiple sources such as interviews, questionnaires, standardized tests etc..

Some components of successful intelligence Capitalize your strength and compensate your weakness. Defy negative expectations. Always think positively. Select out role model. (people from whom you can learn) Seek out an environment where you can make a difference.

MODEL QUESTIONS Define thinking skills. Write a lesson plan on any type of your choice from secondary school so as to develop thinking skills among students?