What information, tools, and skill sets do I need to have to understand or solve this?

 

The big change is from telling to asking:   After years of telling students what to think and how to think about it, we are

   now asking them to think critically (strategically) and share that thinking with others as well as ourselves.  

 

1.  Create a safe environment which encourages students and staff to engage in problem/solution thinking together.  

• Do not assume you know how someone reached a conclusion--ask how they did so.

• How, why and what if questions ought to dominate critical thinking conversations.

• Unexpected outcomes are not failure, but rather learning opportunities - if we already know the outcome we are not learning.

 

2.   Teach students to develop strong thesis questions, make predictions and modify outcomes as new information is provided.

• Understanding scientific method is useful in critical/strategic thinking and learning

• How might they test their idea, theory, concept?  (suveys, blogs, virtual communities, PLN)

 

3. Teach students how to assess the validity of the resources.

• Students need support in recognizing and testing the validity of on-line information and data.

• Once students are able to validate their sources of information and data, allow them to use their own device for research

  • Waiting for access to technology breaks the flow of thought and creativity.

• Remind students to collect all reference information for inclusion in any report out process.

 

4.   Plan time and resources that allow the critical/strategic thinking and communication processes to extend beyond the walls

       and time frame of a class session.

• Set up a PLN, where information, recordings, video and other connections to resources can be collected, and allow communication to occur both inside and outside of the classroom.