Thinking skillsSession 4: DTES2

Two kinds of thinking

0 analytical0 convergent0 vertical0probability0 judgement0 focused0objective0 left brain0 verbal0 linear

0 generative0divergent0 lateral0possibility0 suspended judgement0diffuse0 subjective0 right brain0 visual0 associative

What are thinking skills?0collecting information0sorting information0analysing information0drawing conclusions from the information0 ‘brainstorming’ new ideas; creative thinking0problem solving0determining cause and effect0evaluating options; critical thinking0planning and setting goals0monitoring progress0decision making0 reflecting on one’s own progress

Why are thinking skills important?0 The ‘banking theory’ of knowledge based upon rote learning has

been discredited as it is recognised that individuals cannot ‘store’ sufficient knowledge in their memories for future use.

0 Information is expanding at such a rate that individuals require transferable skills to allow them to address different problems in different contexts at different times throughout their lives.

0 The complexity of modern jobs requires staff who demonstrate comprehension and judgement as participants in the generation of new knowledge or processes.

0 Modern society assumes active citizenship which requires individuals to assimilate information from multiple sources, determine its veracity and make judgements.

(WILSON 2000)

Lateral ThinkingLateral thinking is a term coined by Edward de Bono. It first appeared in the title of his book The Use of Lateral Thinking (1971). De Bono defines lateral thinking as methods of thinking concerned with changing concepts and perception. Lateral thinking is about reasoning that is not immediately obvious and about ideas that may not be obtainable by using only traditional step-by-step logic.

Lateral Thinking“Lateral thinking is closely related to creativity. But whereas creativity is too often only the description of a result, lateral thinking is the description of a process. One can only admire a result but one can learn to use a process…

Lateral thinking is concerned with the generation of new ideas. There is a curious notion that new ideas have to do with technical innovation. This is a very minor aspect of the matter. New ideas are the stuff of change and progress in every field from science to art, from politics to personal happiness.”

(De BONO 1971)

Lateral Thinking techniquesCAF (Consider All Factors)PMI (Plus Minus Interesting)C&S (Consequences and Sequel)AGO (Aims Goals Objectives)FIP (First Important Priorities)APC (Alternatives Possibilities Choices)OPV (Other Point of View)

How can thinking skills be taught?

0Specifically designed programmes(the skills method)

0Embedded in the curriculum(the infusion method)

0By chance(the traditional method)

The skills method“Those who believe that it is possible to teach the skills of thinking directly, by means of activities and exercises designed to improve thinking techniques or basic thinking ability which are independent of the subject matter that makes up the rest of the curriculum”

(MACLURE 1991)

Examples0Feuerstein’s Instrumental Enrichment0Cognitive Research Trust (CoRT): de Bono0The Somerset Thinking Skills Course0Cognitive Acceleration through Science

Education (CASE)0Philosophy for Children (Lipman & Fisher)

The infusion method“... seeks to make more effective thinking a self-conscious aim within the existing curriculum ... devising strategies which will transform the teaching of ordinary school disciplines in such a way as to focus on thinking and strengthen students’ powers of thought.”

(MACLURE 1991)

The traditional method“Those who are interested in the application of cognitive knowledge to the teaching of thinking but see thinking as a by product of traditional disciplines and pedagogy, and who remain agnostic about particular methods.”

(MACLURE 1991)

A possible framework

McGuinness (1999) proposes that a general framework for teaching thinking should include:0 making thinking skills explicit in the curriculum0 adopting a coaching style to teach thinking0 operating within a metacognitive perspective0 developing collaborative learning in both face-to-face and

computer-mediated learning0 encouraging good thinking habits or general dispositions0 generalising the framework beyond a narrow focus on special

skills to encompass the whole curriculum and concepts of ‘thinking classrooms’ and ‘thinking schools’.

Thinking skills in D & T

D&T

Thinking skills in the curriculum and the Design and Technology teacher

1 Explore the opportunities that exist for secondary school pupils to demonstrate and develop their creative and critical thinking skills across the curriculum, referring to a range of subject areas*.

2 Examine the concepts of creative and critical thinking in relation to Design and Technology in the secondary curriculum, drawing on your own personal experience and relevant literature.

3 Explain how Design and Technology teachers can ensure that they capitalise on the special contribution that their subject makes to the development of creativity in the classroom, evaluating the effectiveness of current practice and suggesting ways in which this might be improved.

*excluding D&T

Six Thinking HatsWhite Hat:Focus on the data available. Look at the information you have, and see what you can learn from it. Look for gaps in your knowledge, and either try to fill them or take account of them.

Red Hat:Look at problems using intuition, gut reaction, and emotion. Try to think how other people will react emotionally; understand the responses of people who do not fully know your reasoning.

Black Hat:Look at all the bad points of the decision. Look at it cautiously and defensively. Try to see why it might not work. This is important because it highlights the weak points in a plan. It allows you to eliminate them, alter them, or prepare contingency plans to counter them.

Six Thinking HatsYellow Hat:Think positively. It is the optimistic viewpoint that helps you to see all the benefits of the decision and the value in it. Yellow Hat thinking helps you to keep going when everything looks gloomy and difficult.

Green Hat:The Green Hat stands for creativity. This is where you can develop creative solutions to a problem. It is a freewheeling way of thinking, in which there is little criticism of ideas. A whole range of creativity tools can help you here.

Blue Hat:The Blue Hat stands for process control. Worn by people chairing meetings. When running into difficulties they may direct activity into Green Hat thinking. When contingency plans are needed, they will ask for Black Hat thinking, etc.

References0DE BONO, E., 1971. The use of lateral thinking.

Harmondsworth: Harmondsworth : Penguin. 0MACLURE, S., and DAVIES, P., 1991. Learning to think:

thinking to learn: the proceedings of the 1989 OECD conference organised by the Centre for Educational Research and Innovation. Oxford: Pergamon.

0MCGUINNESS, C., 1999. From thinking skills to thinking classrooms.

0WILSON, V. and SCOTTISH COUNCIL FOR RESEARCH IN EDUCATION, EDINBURGH (UNITED KINGDOM), 2000. Can thinking skills be taught? Methods, 39, 6.2.