PRINCIPALs' CORNER

Thinkers: We use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse and take responsible action on complex problems. We exercise initiative in making reasoned, ethical decisions.

Wow! Who would have thought that thinking is so much more than just allowing something to occupy one’s mind? There are a lot of powerful words in that descriptor: critical, creative, analyse, responsible, action, complex, initiative, reasoned, ethical and, lastly, decisions. What if I use critical thought to form a judgment, but I am not particularly creative; am I still a thinker? What if I take responsible action, but the problem is not really all that complex; am I still a thinker? What if I’m a real go-getter and I exercise initiative to make a reasoned decision, but some people don’t think it is ethical; am I still a thinker? What if I use critical and creative thinking skills to analyse a complex problem and I exercise initiative and reason, while also considering ethical dilemmas of potential outcomes, but I don’t take any action or actually make a decision; am I still a thinker?

The implication here is that thinking for the sake of thinking alone is not valid unless action is taken, or a decision is made. What do we call a person who thinks without action or decision if not a thinker; a dreamer? Well, I think that’s not so bad. I think it is condescending and judgmental to tell a person they are not really a thinker unless their thoughts are critical, creative and analytical and lead to an outcome; not just any outcome, mind you, but a reasoned, ethical and responsible outcome.

I cannot imagine the intent of the IB is to condescend and judge. I assume their intent is for this descriptor to be taken as part of the whole IB Learner Profile, along with the IB Philosophy, Approaches, Learning and Approaches to Teaching, rather than parsed and individually scrutinized. I cannot, however, help but think this descriptor goes beyond what it takes to be a thinker and into what it takes to be a doer. You may not think that is a big deal, but I think it is an important distinction to make. I think it is ok to just think.