21st Century Learning and Regional Training Center's Thinking Skills Course

Richard Solomon

Neil Davidson PPT presentation by

James Gilbert

Encouraging Skillful, Critical and Creative Thinking

The FOUR C’s

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving Creativity and Innovation Communication Collaboration

Critical Thinking and Problem Solving

Reason effectively: inductive, deductive. Use systems thinking: analyze how parts

of a whole interact to produce over-all outcomes.

Make judgments and decisions: synthesize, interpret, make connections, draw conclusions.

Solve problems: in both innovative and conventional ways.

Creativity and Innovation

Thinking creatively: elaborate, refine, analyze and evaluate ones own ideas; create new and worthwhile ideas.

Work creatively with others: incorporate group input and feedback; view failure as an opportunity to learn.

Implement innovations: act on creative ideas to make them tangible and useful.

Communication

Articulate thoughts and ideas effectively. Listen effectively. Use communications to inform, instruct,

motivate and persuade. Communicate effectively in diverse

environments. Use multiple media and technologies to

communicate.

Collaboration

Demonstrate ability to work effectively and respectfully with diverse teams.

Exercise flexibility and willingness to be helpful – making compromises – to accomplish a common goal.

Assume shared responsibility for collaborative work and value all contributions.

The Five Conceptual Themes of ESCCT

• Think Skillfully• Think to Learn• Think Together• Think About One’s

Thinking• Think Big Through

Creative and Critical Thinking

• Based on the article: “The Thought-Filled Curriculum” by Arthur L. Costa

PREREQUISITE to the 5 Themes

Creating the Thoughtful and

Respectful Classroom

Attributes to Transform the Traditional Classroom into a Community of

Thoughtful and Respectful Learners

Attributes

Devote instructional time to class and community

Teach students the requisite social or relationship skills

Empower your classroom community to develop common values, shared goals and expectations

Enable your students to develop a shared responsibility for each member of the classroom community

Attributes

Empower your classroom community to co-determine the learning task or project

Encourage positive interdependence Encourage a strong sense of class or

community loyalty Set aside specific time to reflect on how

well the class or community is addressing its academic objectives and relational needs.

THEME ONE:THINKING SKILLFULLY

• Cognitive structures (basic neurological connections students need for thinking)

• Thinking skills and processes

• Five mind/brain learning principles for thinking

5 Brain-based and Learning Centered Principles

1. Each brain learns in a unique way

2. The brain requires social interaction

3. The brain is influenced by emotions

4. The brain seeks patterns and searches for meaning

5. The brain is a complex organ that can function on many levels and in many ways simultaneously

THEME TWO:THINKING TO LEARN

Applying the thinking skills they have acquired to the course content or curriculum.

THEME THREE:THINKING TOGETHER

In this section of the course we will share different cooperative learning procedures for thinking in pairs (dyads), triads, quads and other group configurations.

THEME FOUR:THINKING ABOUT ONE’S THINKING

Sometimes termed metacognition, this theme addresses the question:

How do we empower our students to reflect on • their own thoughts, • their intrapersonal data, and • the internal processes they use to

create meaning.

THEME FIVE:

TEACHING STUDENTS TO THINK BIGIn this theme we focus on learning activities designed to enable students to think creatively and critically on the larger issues that we confront in the 21st century such as:• war and peace• global warming• environmental protection• hunger and poverty• ethics• quality education, and other important topics

Richard Solomon

Neil DavidsonPPT presentation by

James Gilbert

Encouraging Skillful, Critical and Creative Thinking