The focus of this unit is on the development of the integral skills of Critical Thinking and Problem Solving.
Critical Thinking and Problem Solving
When you think critically and solve problems you engage a blend of learning behaviours.
You …
- know how to work out what you are being asked to do and, when possible, link it to problems that you have previously experienced
- are able to plan how to tackle the problem
- have a wide range of reasoning tools and behaviours at your command
- keep an eye on how it is going and adjust as necessary
The activities, think pieces and questions in this online unit aim to help you to make a start on:
- introducing students to the key critical thinking and problem solving behaviours;
- using the language of critical thinking and problem solving effectively with students;
- designing the use of critical thinking and problem solving into the way you teach;
- developing the confidence and skill in helping students to grow their critical thinking and problem solving powers.
The following sections will help you to tailor your classroom practice to support the development of these dispositions.
- Section 1 explores the learning behaviours of critical thinking problem solvers;
- Section 2 discusses the classroom culture that supports the development;
- Section 3 offers ideas to practise in your own classroom;
- Section 4 contains some suggestions about how you might talk to encourage the behaviour
- Section 5 makes suggestions to move practice on.
About ‘Helping learners to access Successful Futures’ – a reminder
This is one of 12 units in the suite ‘Helping learners to access Successful Futures’. The units address the 4 purposes of the Successful Futures curriculum and the 4 integral skills for modern life and work, and set these requirements into 4 aspects of a learning-friendly classroom culture within which they can thrive.
The 4 purposes of the curriculum as defined in Successful Futures are that young people should develop as:
- Ambitious, capable learners;
- Enterprising, creative contributors;
- Healthy, confident individuals;
- Ethical, informed citizens.
The 4 integral skills necessary for modern life and work are defined as:
- critical thinking and problem solving – this unit
- planning and organising
- creativity and innovation
- personal effectiveness
The 4 aspects of classroom culture within which these core purposes and wider skills can develop and thrive are:
- Classroom learning relationships;
- Classroom talk for learning;
- How learning is constructed;
- How learning is celebrated and grown.
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