An Introduction to Thinking Skills

Students can and do learn ways of thinking that can boost their performance. Integrating higher order thinking into topics and subjects and the creation of a school culture that highlights and scaffolds such thinking can have a significant effect on students' own views of their abilities and on their learning.

(http://www.in2edu.com/downloads/thinking.htm, accessed July 2005)

 

What is higher-order thinking? This explanation includes a definition of higher-order thinking from A guide to Productive Pedagogies: Classroom reflection manual (Education Queensland, 2002).  This definition was an important catalyst for us on our thinking skills journey.  A useful definition to use with your staff.

This PowerPoint Presentation explores the implementation of Higher-order Thinking Skills within and across the KLAs.  The first part of the presentation outlines the research justifying the inclusion of HOTS in Middle School Years, and includes a definition of Higher-order Thinking from the Productive Pedagogies: Classroom Reflection Manual (EQ, 2002).  The second section investigates the top three levels of Bloom's Revised taxonomy as a framework within which planning considerations can be made for incorporating HOTS in the curriculum.  Finally, The Decision Making Matrix from Dimensions of Learning is used as an example of a reasoning process that encourages students to think at a higher level.  This PowerPoint Presentation provides material for a 1.5 hour hands on professional development session with school teaching staff, with an emphasis on Middle Schooling. (NB.  This file is very big.  please allow some time for it to download completely).

This Professional Development presentation has at its heart a focus on the middle years of schooling, and the thinking practices that may be used to cater for these learners' unique needs.  The PowerPoint Presentation outlines 1. The Middle Years of Learning (Research, Nature of middle years learners and -the teaching practices to support middle years learners; 2. Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences as a framework that supports student engagement in the middle years.  It investigates ways to incorporate Multiple Intelligences into teaching practices in the Middle Years; 3. This section of the presentation investigates the Dimensions of Learning Decision Making Matrix as a strategy to encourage Cooperative Learning in the Middle Years.  Intended to take 1.5 hours to deliver to a group of educators.  (NB.  This file is very big.  please allow some time for it to download completely).

This PowerPoint Presentation gives an overview of particular thinking skills and frameworks that are particularly suited to an early childhood setting and curriculum.  Approaches covered include Six Hats, Tony Ryan's Thinker's Keys and Bloom's Revised Taxonomy.  Explanations and examples are provided as well as a number of links to Internet and print resources.

This PowerPoint Presentation looks at ways in which Thinking Skills can be integrated into the curriculum across KLAs. The presentation looks at how schools might create a “Culture of Thinking”, it explores topics such as Productive Pedagogies, defines  Higher-order Thinking, investigates how to incorporate thinking skills in the classroom, in a student reading program and in planning documents.  It concludes by looking at ways that “Smarts” (or Multiple Intelligences) can be incorporated in the classroom.

This In2Edu webpage provides access to a range of resources including Multiple Intelligence, Six Hat, Blooms and life Long learning banners, posters, charts, awards and blackline masters to support a Thinking Skills Program.  You will need to scroll down the page to see the links to the specific resources.  All resources are PDF or zipped PDF unless otherwise stated.

This is  a quite lengthy annotated bibliography of print resources and videos that have been useful in helping us develop knowledge of various approaches and strategies, while adding to our shared vision for a Whole School Thinking Skills Program.