Being a good thinker does not happen by accident, humans by nature are reluctant thinkers. In fact, our brain works to avoid thinking too much and spends significant energy resolving the problem of thinking by automating processes. The brain looks for repetitive actions in our life so that it can automate it, in this way it doesn’t need to think about it anymore and can focus on things that hold more interest. The brain is not interested in “thinking outside the box” for mundane tasks that hold little meaning or purpose and especially if it’s already found a way to do it without thinking. Forcing our kids to think critically about things that hold little interest to them is hard for both the student and teacher. There has to be a better way to learn.
So what helps thinking?
When do kids stop thinking?
The ability to think requires
For thinking to happen students must be able to combine and rearrange ideas in their working memory. If there is too much confusion and little connection to their past, or present environments, or long-term memory the brain will soon lose interest and struggle to maintain motivation. Hence it seeks new avenues of interest. Like what are my friends doing right now, I’m hungry; I don’t want to be here, etc.
Of course, there is more about the thinking process such as procedural and factual knowledge which helps execute tasks efficiently and supports the brain to solve problems faster. You can learn more about this by reading “Why Don't Students Like School?” Written by Daniel Willingham
How to plan for thinking
Fortunately, the brain is also seeking out opportunities for thinking but only about those things which hold potential for engagement, meaning, problem-solving and leveled mental activity. Forcing our kids to carry out tasks which hold little meaning or connection to their personal lives makes learning very dreary indeed!
For example; a student is more likely to understand the properties of air to move something if they first have experienced the physical sensations of pushing something along with their hands or body.
For thinking to happen the conditions need to be right.
Get your students to think critically is no easy task for any teacher, and the challenges are very real!
Wishing you all the very best!
Your comments are always welcome. Link
11 Jan
An article on silence from Lifehack reminded me of my experiences as a child being grabbed by the relentless South Island, West Coast surf, tossed back and forth, pushed under...
22 Mar
I've just returned from the National Future Schools Expo in Melbourne, Australia reflecting on how this impacts on our teachers' vision for the future.
Why are my students driving me crazy? I’m up against power struggles every day and find myself exhausted just thinking about the next meeting talking about that kid who refuses to listen!