THINKING SKILLS THROUGH

SCIENCE EDUCATION
MEANS OF PROMOTION IN A
CLASS

THINKING
The capacity to think is a valuable asset. When do we think??
Whenever we are confronted with a problem that defies immediate
solution we begin to think. Our past experiences can be a reliable
guide. At times we might discard the past and think afresh.
Knowing how to think in any given situation, which type of
thinking to employ is a vital skill. The start point is understanding
that are many different ways to think, that how we think is a matter
of conscious choice.
So if how to think is a choice, here are some of the most commonly
used categories.

1)Creative thinking
A working definition of creative thinking is having unusual
ideas and innovative thoughts, able to put things in new and
imaginative ways.
Following exercise will help you to understand our usual
pattern of thinking and begin to see things in a different way.
Nine dot exercise
Connect all nine dots by drawing only four straight
lines never leaving the paper

2)Critical thinking
A working definition of critical thinking is exercising or
involving careful judgement or evaluation. Most commonly it is
used to denote exhaustive thinking, means everything belongs to
one part or the other.
Critical thinkers are able to do the following thinks
Be open minded about new ideas
Are intellectually independent
Look for connection between subjects
Ask questions

3)Lateral thinking
This is the term used popularized by Edward De Bono to
describe a non linear mode of thinking. De Bonos Lateral
thinking course remain an effective way to learn how to think
in order to systematically generate new ideas.
4)Logical thinking
It is the process of progressing a thought process in a linear
way. It is probably the dominant thinking process in western
society and many others too.

5)Parallel thinking (process is done in a disciplined manner)

The term was put forward by Edward De Bono. It is defined as thinking
process where focus is split in specific directions.
Eg- When done in a group it effectively avoids the consequences of adversarial
approach. (as used in courts)
In adversarial debate the objective is to prove or disprove statements put
forward by other parties. Also known as dialectic approach.

6)Structured thinking
It is another word of discribing critical thinking using templates and models to
think exhaustively about something.

7)Strategic thinking
It is a widely used term and therefore one that is used in many different
ways. Typically it is used to refer sort of thinking required by organizations to
set direction. Defined as thinking process applied by individual in contest of
achieving success in a game etc as cognitive activity. It produces thought.

8)Positive thinking
positive thinking and attitude enables you to see the bright side of life. It
may refer to optimism, a mental attitude that interprets situations and events as
being best.

9)Reflective thinking
Reflection means thinking itself thus reflective thinking means reflect
thinking. Reflection leads to growth of the individual, morally, psychologically,
emotionally etc. Two types of reflective thinking are,
Divergent thinking here mind begins from a common point and there are
different views for a student.
Convergent thinking- Many different thinking focused on a common point. Path
for them will be different.

Divergent

Convergent

10)Associative thinking
It is a process of linking one thought or idea to another.
This can be used for creative thinking purposes.
11)Radient thinking
It is a specific form of associative thinking, where the
thinking radiates out from central idea.

SIX MAJOR THINKING SKILLS

One of the simplest and easiest ways to develop kids thinking
skills is by wording questions in the right way.
Whether we are conscious of it or not, different types of
questions require us to use different kinds or levels of thinking.
According to Blooms Taxonomy, a widely recognized
classification system, human thinking skills can be broken in to six
categories. Knowledge, comprehension, application- are more
concrete thinking skills. Analysis, synthesis, evaluation- require
more abstraction and are known as Critical thinking skills.

Developing thinking in teaching

science
Observation
Curriculum planningLong term and short term planning
Cognitive
Conflict
Process
Understanding
Argument
Visual thinking
Memory
Reasoning
Judging
Application

Higher Order Thinking Skills (HOTS)

Higher Order thinking is a concept of thinking on a level that is
higher than just memorizing facts. It takes thinking to higher levels
and requires students to do something with the
facts-understand them,
infer from them,
connect them to other facts and concepts,
categorize them, manipulate them,
HOT involves the learning the complex judgemental skills such as critical
thinking and problem solving.
HOT is more difficult to learn or teach but also more valuable because such
skills are more likely to be usable in situations other than those in which skills was
learned.

HOT in learning outcomes such as understanding, reasoning,

judging, application, analysis ability to give explanation etc are
very common feature of standard based education reform.
Psycologist Robert Sternberg was developed a frame work of higher
order thinking called Successful intelligence.

3 kinds of Higher Order Thinking are

1) Analytical
eg:- compare and contrast, evaluate, analyse
2) Practical
eg:- show how to use something, demonstrate how in the real
world, apply, implement
3) Creative
eg:- invent, imagine, design
Datas shows that using all these 3 will increase student
understanding

A major role of educators is to challenge and motivate students to become

independent thinkers. Parents and teachers can do a lot to encourage HOT even
they are answering students question.
It provides strong problem solving skills, Promote strong communication skill
and teachers about conflict management and strong research skills

Problem solving
Problem solving is defined as formulating new answers going beyond the simple
application of previously learned principles or rules to create a solution to a novel
problem.

STEPS IN PROBLEM
SOLVING
PREPARATION
Problem is analysed and all available information is assembled and
studied.
INCUBATION
No serious work is done on problem though it may come to mind at
odd moments. Eg- on walking, while day dreaming, talking etc.
( remember Archimedes)
ILLUMINATION
It comes in form of idea that looks so promising that it immediately
engrosses the thinkers attention.
VERIFICATION
If the idea is good, it must then be worked over in detail so as to
complete a poem or a picture.

Children are naturally curious .Science education feeds that

curiosity and provides students with valuable concepts, life skills,
career options.
As educators we must promote and nurture thinking skills of
students. Some of them are :
Think and search
Ask students to define concepts in their own words or discuss
with other students.
Picture
A picture is worth a thousand words. Students should be
encouraged to make a visual representation of what they are learning.
.

Encourage questioning
Divergent questions asked by students should not be
discounted, their creative behavior trends to generalize to other
areas.
Think with analogies
Ask students to use similes etc to explain a concept which
starts with models
Reward creative thinking
Must consider students creative and divergent thinking
skills. They should be rewarded instead of out of the box
thinking.

Make students as your partner

A teacher should let the student with HOT challenges know
that they will work together as partner to achieve increases in the
student skills.
Co-operative learning
Many students who exhibit language challenges may benefit
from co-operative learning. It provides listening skills.

A good evaluation should be informative

from multiple sources such as interviews,
questionnaires, standardized tests etc..

Some components of successful

intelligence
Capitalize your strength and compensate your
weakness.
Defy negative expectations.
Always think positively.
Select out role model. (people from whom you
can learn)
Seek out an environment where you can
make a difference.

MODEL QUESTIONS
Define thinking skills. Write a lesson plan on
any type of your choice from secondary
school so as to develop thinking skills among
students?