Critical thinking

Proficiency in critical and creative thinking, collaboration and problem solving helps students succeed in their learning, but these kinds of skills are also highly valued by employers.

A new set of resources developed by experts at the Australian Council for Educational Research aims to provide an evidence-based approach to the development of critical thinking, creative thinking and collaboration. Dr Claire Scoular shares details and examples of the frameworks in today’s article.

In this monthly series, we take a look at some further readings available on a particular topic, including open access research papers from various online catalogues. This month’s theme is creative thinking.

How can educators teach and assess the General Capabilities – skills like critical thinking, creative thinking, collaboration, and problem solving? In today’s podcast, Dr Claire Scoular discusses an assessment framework she’s developed for measuring and monitoring these skills in the classroom.

In the latest cycle of the OECD’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS 2018), participants were asked about their use of a range of teaching practices. Today’s infographic looks at the results for practices associated with cognitive activation.

In today’s reader submission, Dr John Langrehr discusses how teachers can develop student mindsets for ‘3C thinking’ and shares examples of questions and statements you can use in the classroom.

In today’s Q&A, Professor Geoff Masters AO discusses this year’s Research Conference theme and some of the fundamental questions that will help to shape the conference program.

How can we teach and assess general capabilities such as critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and research skills? Dr Claire Scoular and Jonathan Heard share details of a research project aiming to develop practical tools for use in the classroom.

In this episode we visit Western Port Secondary College – one of 21 government schools involved in the Australian initiative The Paradigm Shifters: Entrepreneurial learning in schools – to talk to assistant principal Hannah Lewis and student Harry Hainsworth.

If schools want to promote entrepreneurial thinking and action it’s students who need to be in the driver’s seat. That’s one of the findings from a year-long Australian initiative.