Thinking Skills

Possible demonstrations of thinking skills

The higher the number, the higher the "challenge level"

1. Identify problems
2. Present one perspective
3. Draw simple conclusions
4. Consider ideas and possible solutions
5. Practise observing carefully in order to recognise problems
6. Gather information strictly relevant to the project
7. Draw reasonable conclusions and generalisations
8. Evaluate and manage risk
9. Consider ideas from multiple perspectives
10. Identify obstacles and challenges
11. Use brainstorming and visual diagrams to generate new ideas and inquiries
12. Interpret data useful to the project
13. Test generalisations, hypotheses and conclusions
14. Revise understanding based on new information and evidence
15. Make guesses, ask “what if” questions
16. Apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products or processes
17. Consider multiple alternatives, including those that might be unlikely or impossible
18. Make connections between subject groups, prior learning and experiential learning
19. Combine knowledge, understanding and skills to create products or solutions
20. Evaluate evidence, arguments and propositions
21. Recognise unstated assumptions and bias
22. Develop contrary or opposing arguments
23. Analyse complex concepts and contexts into their constituent parts and synthesize them to create new understanding
24. Use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues
25. Troubleshoot systems and applications
26. Create original works and ideas; use existing works and ideas in new ways
27. Practise flexible thinking—develop multiple opposing, contradictory and complementary arguments
28. Create novel solutions to authentic problems
29. Make unexpected or unusual connections between objects and/or ideas
30. Apply skills and knowledge in unfamiliar situations
31. Change the context of an inquiry to gain different perspectives