Developing Higher Order Thinking Skills

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Developing Higher Order Thinking Skills

• Computers in Education
• Lecture 3

March 2006
Ruth Geer
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Gardners Intelligences

• Linguistic
• Logical-Mathematical
• Spatial
• Musical
• Bodily-Kinesthetic
• Interpersonal
• Intrapersonal
• Naturalist
• Existential

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Activity

• Check out your multiple intelligences at
  http//www.thirteen.org/edonline/concept2class/mi/
  index.html

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New Ways of looking at Brains
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Localisation of function
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Activity

• Are you more right brained or left brained? 
• http//brain.web-us.com/brain/Visual_Test_Hemisphe
  ric_Dominance.htm
• Surveys Psychology tests
• http//www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/mind/index_
  surveys.shtml
• Probe the brain!
• http//www.pbs.org/wgbh/aso/tryit/brain/

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What is meaningful learning?

• New experiences are related to what learners know
• Learners see relevance in creating connections
• Setting tools contribute to learning
  accomplished by learner
• Learners are actively engaged
• Learners are reflective

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(Taken from Grabe Grabe, 2004, p55)
Scientific Research
Meaningful Learning
Logo Programming
Good Simulations
Tutorials
Trial error puzzles
Drill Practice
Rote Learning
Reception Learning
Discovery Leaning
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The Learning Spectrum
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Theory to Practice

• Authentic activities
• Social context
• Modelling/Scaffolding
• Cooperative
• Problembased learning
• Effectiveness of technology

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Activity

• Where might you position the following programs
  on the learning spectrum?
• Mathsblaster
• Encyclopaedia Britannica
• Geometer Sketch Pad
• Froguts
• Microworlds
• http//www.funbrain.com/grammar/
• http//www.activeworlds.com/
• http//www.nothinginlife.com/game/simulation.html

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What is higher-order thinking?

• No simple definition
• Not a single process
• Involves many cognitive tasks problem solving
  critical thinking
• Tasks are complex
• Require conscious effort
• Self regulated
• Involves judgement
• ( Grabe Grabe, 2004, p.63)

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Project-based learning

• Decision-making
• Development of what if questions
• Discussion communication
• Final product or solution
• Process extendable

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Role of Technology

• Support knowledge construction
• Provide source vehicle for exploring knowledge
• Medium for communication collaboration
• Simulates real world environments

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References

• Grabe, M Grabe, C 2004, Integrating Technology
  for Meaningful Learning, 4rd edn, Houghton
  Mifflin, Boston.
• Jonassen, DH, Howland, J Moore, J Marra, M
  2003, Learning to solve problems with technology,
  Merrill Prentice Hall, New Jersey
• BBCi 2003, Intelligence and Learning
  http//www.bbc.co.uk/learning/returning/betterlear
  ner/learningstyle/c_intelligence_01.shtml Viewed
  March 2004