Essential Thinking Skills in action

Thinking Skills in action

These screens provide a comprehensive guide for students, covering fundamental thinking skills as well as advanced 21st-century thinking skills, helping them to develop essential cognitive abilities for the modern world.

1. Introduction to Thinking Skills

This screen provides an overview of the importance of thinking skills, explaining that they are essential for solving problems, making decisions, and learning new things. It emphasises that these skills can be improved through practice, setting the stage for understanding their significance.

1. Thinking Skill 1 - Remembering

Remembering is the foundational skill for all learning processes. This screen explains how to recall information and provides examples of questions that test this skill. It’s crucial for students to master remembering to build a solid base for higher-order thinking skills.

1. Thinking Skill 2 - Understanding

Understanding allows students to make sense of information and express it in their own words. This screen is vital because comprehension is necessary for applying, analysing, evaluating, and creating new knowledge. It includes practical questions that help students practice this skill.

1. Thinking Skill 3 - Applying

Applying knowledge demonstrates the ability to use what has been learned in new situations. This screen helps students learn how to transfer and adapt their knowledge to solve new problems, a critical skill for real-world applications.

1. Thinking Skill 4 - Analysing

Analysing involves breaking down information into parts and understanding their relationships. This skill is essential for critical thinking and problem-solving. The screen provides questions that guide students in practicing analysis, helping them develop deeper insights into complex issues.

1. 21st Century Thinking Skill 1 - Creative Thinking

Reason: Creative thinking is crucial for developing innovative solutions in today’s rapidly changing world. This screen introduces creative thinking as a fresh way of looking at problems, emphasising its importance in addressing 21st-century challenges. It encourages students to think outside the box, which is essential for modern education and future careers.

1. 21st Century Thinking Skill 2 - Critical Thinking

Critical thinking is vital for evaluating information and making informed decisions. This screen explains the importance of not accepting information at face value and recognising biases and misinformation. It is especially relevant in the age of digital information and “fake news.”

1. 21st Century Thinking Skill 3 - Problem Solving

Problem solving combines creative and critical thinking to address challenges that students face. This screen highlights the importance of using these skills to develop effective solutions. It is crucial for students to learn how to approach and solve problems systematically, which is essential for success in both academic and real-world scenarios.