Thinking Tools And Their USES.
Image above from Best Mind Mapping Tools for Visual Thinking, from WebMoves.net
Here's how a teacher can use each of these teaching tools and techniques in the classroom:
WebMoves.net - this web site contains great information on Thinking Tools and excellent articles about AI.
Bloom's Taxonomy:
Bloom's Taxonomy is a framework for categorizing educational objectives and cognitive skills into six levels, ranging from simple recall to complex evaluation and creation. A teacher can use it to design learning activities that cater to different levels of thinking and ensure a well-rounded educational experience for students. For example:
Knowledge (Remembering): Asking students to recall facts, terms, or concepts through quizzes or flashcards
Comprehension (Understanding): Engaging students in discussions to explain ideas or concepts in their own words.
Application (Applying): Assigning real-world problems for students to solve using the knowledge they have gained.
Analysis (Analyzing): Encouraging students to break down complex issues and identify relationships between elements.
Synthesis (Creating): Assigning projects where students have to create something new, like a presentation or model.
Evaluation (Evaluating): Encouraging students to assess and justify their opinions or the quality of their work.
Concept Mapping:
Concept mapping is a visual representation of ideas and their connections. Teachers can use concept maps to help students understand complex topics, identify relationships between concepts, and organize their thoughts. Teachers can:
Venn Diagrams:
Venn diagrams are graphical representations that show the relationship between different sets of data. Teachers can use Venn diagrams to help students compare and contrast various elements. For example:
Flow Charts:
Flow charts use symbols and arrows to represent a sequence of steps or processes. Teachers can utilize flow charts to teach procedural or cause-effect concepts. For instance:
Six Thinking Hats by Edward DeBono:
The Six Thinking Hats is a technique to encourage parallel thinking, where all participants think in the same direction simultaneously. Each "hat" represents a different perspective:
PMI (Plus, Minus, Interesting):
PMI is a technique to assess the pros, cons, and interesting aspects of an idea or concept. A teacher can use PMI to help students evaluate and analyze various topics or decisions. For example:
Think-Pair-Share:
Think-Pair-Share is a cooperative learning technique where students individually think about a question or topic, discuss it with a partner, and then share their ideas with the entire class. It promotes active engagement and peer learning. Teachers can:
WebMoves.net - this web site contains great information on Thinking Tools and excellent articles about AI.
Bloom's Taxonomy:
Bloom's Taxonomy is a framework for categorizing educational objectives and cognitive skills into six levels, ranging from simple recall to complex evaluation and creation. A teacher can use it to design learning activities that cater to different levels of thinking and ensure a well-rounded educational experience for students. For example:
Knowledge (Remembering): Asking students to recall facts, terms, or concepts through quizzes or flashcards
Comprehension (Understanding): Engaging students in discussions to explain ideas or concepts in their own words.
Application (Applying): Assigning real-world problems for students to solve using the knowledge they have gained.
Analysis (Analyzing): Encouraging students to break down complex issues and identify relationships between elements.
Synthesis (Creating): Assigning projects where students have to create something new, like a presentation or model.
Evaluation (Evaluating): Encouraging students to assess and justify their opinions or the quality of their work.
Concept Mapping:
Concept mapping is a visual representation of ideas and their connections. Teachers can use concept maps to help students understand complex topics, identify relationships between concepts, and organize their thoughts. Teachers can:
- Present pre-made concept maps to students as a visual aid during lectures or discussions.
- Encourage students to create their own concept maps as a study tool or to demonstrate their understanding of a subject.
- Collaboratively construct concept maps as a class activity, allowing students to contribute their ideas and knowledge.
Venn Diagrams:
Venn diagrams are graphical representations that show the relationship between different sets of data. Teachers can use Venn diagrams to help students compare and contrast various elements. For example:
- Comparing characters or themes in literature.
- Contrasting historical events or different cultural practices.
- Analyzing similarities and differences between scientific concepts.
Flow Charts:
Flow charts use symbols and arrows to represent a sequence of steps or processes. Teachers can utilize flow charts to teach procedural or cause-effect concepts. For instance:
- Explaining the steps of a scientific experiment or a historical process.
- Demonstrating problem-solving procedures.
- Outlining the steps in a writing process (e.g., brainstorming, outlining, drafting, revising).
Six Thinking Hats by Edward DeBono:
The Six Thinking Hats is a technique to encourage parallel thinking, where all participants think in the same direction simultaneously. Each "hat" represents a different perspective:
- White Hat (Factual): Focus on available information and facts.
- Red Hat (Emotional): Express feelings, emotions, and intuitions.
- Black Hat (Critical): Point out potential problems and risks.
- Yellow Hat (Positive): Identify benefits and opportunities.
- Green Hat (Creative): Generate new ideas and possibilities.
- Blue Hat (Meta-cognition): Facilitate and manage the thinking process.
PMI (Plus, Minus, Interesting):
PMI is a technique to assess the pros, cons, and interesting aspects of an idea or concept. A teacher can use PMI to help students evaluate and analyze various topics or decisions. For example:
- Before starting a new unit, have students list the positives, negatives, and interesting aspects they expect to encounter during the learning process.
- Use PMI to assess the outcome of a group project or a classroom activity, encouraging students to reflect on their experiences.
Think-Pair-Share:
Think-Pair-Share is a cooperative learning technique where students individually think about a question or topic, discuss it with a partner, and then share their ideas with the entire class. It promotes active engagement and peer learning. Teachers can:
- Use this technique during class discussions to ensure all students participate and share their thoughts.
- Encourage students to clarify their ideas by explaining them to a peer before sharing with the whole class.
- Create an inclusive learning environment where students feel comfortable expressing their opinions.
