Sage Journals: Discover world-class research

Abstract

Opinion may be unnecessarily divided as to whether it is possible to teach skills such as critical and creative thinking as subjects in their own right or whether students would more usefully develop such skills within the context of their curriculum subjects. A study was undertaken into the effects of teaching a 25-lesson ‘thinking skills’ syllabus to a group of Year 5 pupils. The results suggested that pupils’ curiosity, inventiveness, discussion skills, ability to think laterally about given situations, and understanding of the decision-making process can all be enhanced through specific skills teaching. This would imply that a longer-term programme could have a significant impact. A two-pronged approach is proposed, where thinking skills - rather like reading and writing - are taught initially in a child friendly, exam-free context and then are integrated throughout the curriculum.

Keywords

argument creative critical logic lateral

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

De’A’Ecchevarria, A. (2004) Thinking through assessment . Northumberland Thinking for Learning Conference, Newcastle, 29-30 April.

De Bono, E. (1992) Teach Your Child How To Think. London: Penguin .

De Botton, A. (2000) The Consolations of Philosophy. London: Penguin .

Dweck, C. (1986) Motivational processes affecting learning . American Psychologist, 41(10), 1040-1048 .

Fisher, R. (1990) Teaching Children to Think. Oxford: Blackwell .

Fisher, R. (2002) Creative futures: creative thinking, creative learning, creative life . The 10th International Conference on Thinking, Harrogate, 15-19 June.

Jarvis, P. (1994) Learning practical knowledge . Journal of Further and Higher Education, 18(1), 31-43 .

McPeck, J. (1990) Teaching Critical Thinking. New York/London: Routledge .

OFSTED (Office for Standards in Education) (1994) Improving Schools. London: The Stationery Office .

10.

Pinker, S. (1997) How the Mind Works. London: Penguin .

11.

Quinn, V. (1997) Critical Thinking in Young Minds. London: David Fulton Publishers .

12.

Simister, C. J. (2004) Spiral Thinking: how one school set about changing the way it thinks . Teaching Thinking and Creativity, 15 (Autumn).

13.

Simister, C. J. (2004/5, in press) Bright girls who fail: the limitations of the active passive learner . Gifted Education International.

14.

Von Oech, R. (1998) A Whack on the Side of the Head. New York: Warner Books .

15.

Wallace, B. , ed. (2001) Teaching Thinking Skills across the Primary Curriculum: A Practical Approach for all Abilities. London: David Fulton .

To think or not to think: a preliminary investigation into the effects of teaching thinking

Abstract

Keywords

Get full access to this article

References