In a mixed-methods study following 1551 adolescents from eight diverse schools across the US, a large majority demonstrated (a) strong norms of actively open-minded thinking (AOT) and (b) a widespread capacity for AOT. Students from two public (government) schools, two private (public) schools, and two charter (academy) schools were followed for…

Two thinking strategies, concept formation and dialectical reasoning, are discussed and illustrated. The need for schools of education to teach thinking skills is stated, and concepts which should be addressed are suggested. (Author/MT)

An analysis of critical thinking is discussed in terms of conceptual interpretations and through determining the logic of linguistic expressions. (Author/RK)

A model of critical thinking is developed, encompassing problem solving and creative thinking. The central role of critical thinking in adult education is explored, concluding that development of the concept and how to teach it need attention. (SK)

Theories and practices concerned with cognitive functioning and development and its possible relationship to reading and reading instruction are reviewed. The nature of the strategies involved in reading and thinking are similar. Increase in task complexity for reading most likely involves cognitive functioning that ranges in complexity similar to…

Discusses Piaget's notion of intelligence, characteristics of formal operational thought, and the relationship between formal thought and reading ability. (HOD)

Explains the differences between successful and unsuccessful problem solvers' exploration of a problem, translation of information into different forms, approach to devising and executing a plan, and rechecking work. (RT)

This paper describes a computer-simulation model of the way in which basic reasoning processes develop in children. The model, based on PRISM-II programming language, was designed to reflect the manner in which world knowledge can be used to construct strategies for reasoning. The model learns strategies for performing transitive inference by…

An extensive bibliography on teaching thinking skills is presented. This bibliography incorporates from an earlier one (1989) the available relevant references in the field of cognitive education as well as new references that have appeared since early 1989. This field of cognitive education is expanding at such a rapid rate that no bibliography…

The major virtue of educational criticism is that it expands our understanding of how we come to know, consequently creating new avenues for educational evaluation and research. The task of the educational critic is to write in a manner enabling the reader to vicariously participate in classroom life, thus becoming familiar with the emotional…

Argues that genuine critical thinking requires the recognition of the evolutionary nature of knowledge. Discusses the Perry scheme of nine stages of cognitive development and the Nelson variant of Perry's stages. Discusses teaching methods that are based on this approach and provides suggestions for further research. (CFR)

AN INVESTIGATION WAS UNDERTAKEN TO EXPLORE THE INSTRUCTIONAL IMPLICATIONS OF JEAN PIAGET'S POSITION ON EQUILIBRATION. ONE PURPOSE WAS TO TEST THE GENERAL HYPOTHESIS THAT THE MISCONCEPTIONS OF CHILDREN, WHEN DISPLACED BY EVIDENCE CONTRARY TO THE MISCONCEPTIONS, GIVE RISE TO COGNITIVE CONFLICTS. THE RESULTS, IN GENERAL, CONFIRM THIS HYPOTHESIS. A…

This paper examines the teaching of thinking skills for the future. An analysis of John Dewey's "How We Think" offers insights into cognition. Four types of thinking--reflective, conceptual, critical and creative--are explored. Aspects of brain research relevant to cognition are discussed. Specific ways to facilitate thinking and several…

This comparative case study investigated instructional methods that effectively enhance the development of students' critical thinking. Four institutions were selected for study; two at which students reported experiencing high degrees of growth in the ability to think critically, and two at which students reported experiencing low degrees of…

Discusses the literature on children's early thinking about written symbols and offers suggestions for teachers seeking to extend that thinking. (FL)