What are some basic pathways to Thinking?

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "What are some basic pathways to Thinking?"

Rosamund Anthony
7 years ago
Views:

1 Stage 2: Exploring Pathways What are some basic pathways to Thinking? Dimensions of Thinking 5 Pathways Jigsaw Pathways: Dimensions of Thinking In this stage of Exploring Pathways, we are going to investigate areas or dimensions of thinking. There are so many ways of framing and categorising different types of thinking. You may even feel that there are different visual ways of showing the interrelationship between each of these dimensions. What is missing? You may develop your own view of the dimensions of thinking and add to or revise this tree diagram, an umbrella for developing a Thinking School: dimensions for developing thinking cognitive processes enquiry methods dispositions learning modalities creativity NOTE: For a comprehensive view of the research on thinking, we strongly suggest that you look at the latest edition of Dr. Art Costa s Developing Minds (ASCD). Link to: 36

2 Dimensions for Developing Thinking For each of the five dimensions that you are reviewing in your STUDY GROUP we will focus on only one model within the dimension. Here is the overview: A B C D E Cognitive Processes Dimension Focus: The New Bloom s Taxonomy Enquiry Dimension Focus: Questioning Dispositions Dimension Focus: Habits of Mind Learning Styles Dimension Focus: Visual Tools Creativity Dimension Focus: Thinkers Keys Each of these sections has four pages that have a common sequence: Overview: Summary of the Dimension and introduction to the model used as an example. Explanation: A closer look at the model and the implications for use in a Thinking School. Learning Applications: Ideas about applications and use with different age groups. Reflective Questions: Questions you can use to review the content of this section and use when you return to your home group. 40

3 Section A Cognitive Processes Dimension Benjamin Bloom developed the taxonomy in the 1950s in the United States. It is a hierarchy of six types of thinking which become increasingly complex and demanding. Though the levels have increasing complexity, at any age level or at any time within a classroom context a teacher or student may move between different levels. There is no linear sequence required for use of this taxonomy. The levels of thinking can be applied to developing curriculum units and courses with assessments. This taxonomy is often used for structuring questions at different levels across all levels of schooling and in all areas of learning. In 2001 Lorin Anderson, et al, made some significant changes to the original taxonomy. Here is the original model with the revised model by Anderson. Notice that the nouns were changed into verbs to reflect the fact that thinking is an active process. Step : What are some basic pathways to Thinking? Exploring Pathways ORIGINAL BLOOM REVISED BY ANDERSON EVALUATION CREATING SYNTHESIS EVALUATING ANALYSIS ANALYSING APPLICATION APPLYING COMPREHENSION UNDERSTANDING KNOWLEDGE REMEMBERING Pg. 09 Thinking Schools International

4 Section A Cognitive Processes Dimension Below is the expanded view of the revised taxonomy. Here you can see that these different cognitive process categories work across different types of knowledge: factual, conceptual, procedural and metacognitive (reflective). The Cognitive Process Dimension The Dimension 1. Remember 2. Understand 3. Apply 4. Analyse 5. Evaluate 6. Create A. Factual B. Conceptual C. Procedural Knowlege D. Meta-Cognitive Educators use this grid to understand how macro cognitive processes such as analysis are used for the different types of knowledge. For example, in a science experiment where the focus is on analysis the student would: 42 analyse by categorising the factual information analyse by showing the cause-effect concepts analyse by sequencing alternative procedures analyse by discussing different cognitive processes used (metacognitive)

Section A Cognitive Processes Dimension Here is a pictorial view of the revised taxonomy that you can share with your students before you introduce any activity.

5 Section A Cognitive Processes Dimension Here is a pictorial view of the revised taxonomy that you can share with your students before you introduce any activity. You can have students draw the tree and add the terms as you work through the activity or unit of study Step : What are some basic pathways to Thinking? 6 For example, before you read a story, have students draw the tree and write the words remembering and understanding as the roots or ground. As your students read the story, ask them to remember details and discuss the plot of the story. Then ask students to apply this knowledge by comparing the details or plot with another story they have recently read. Next, have them analyse the causes and effects of the actions taken by a central character. Follow this up with an evaluation discussion by students discussing why they believe that a certain character was, for example, good or bad, by reflecting on the values that each student believes is important. Finally, have students create an alternative ending to the story, or change factual information within the story so that it changes how a character develops. Exploring Pathways During and after this sequence within the taxonomy, have students write the key terms on their tree and have a discussion about the processes and how they use these cognitive processes in other subject areas. Thinking Schools International

Growing Thinking Schools From the Inside Out

TM Growing Thinking Schools From the Inside Out Transformational Professional Development for Schools Thinking models, processes, skills, strategies and tools for transforming the whole school environment.