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Stimulating critical thinking using technology has the potential to create more in depth understanding of science and math content by students when engaged in learning activities which integrate in-class and on-line technology resources. Technology tools support stimulation of both inquiry-based and critical thinking skills by engaging students in exploring, thinking, reading, writing, researching, inventing, problem-solving, and experiencing the world outside their classroom. This is accomplished through learning content through the lens of video to multimedia to the internet (Using Technology to Improve Student Achievement, NCREL, 2005).

Encouraging students to use critical thinking is more than an extension activity in science and math lessons, it is the basis of true learning. Teaching students how to think critically helps them move beyond basic comprehension and rote memorization. They shift to a new level of increased awareness when calculating, analyzing, problem solving, and evaluating.

Great critical thinking guide

Description: This post illuminates on the concept of critical thinking as practiced in the realm of academic writing. In order to be excellent an assignment must display that the author has thought about the topic critically and only then has proceeded to present the content. Read this post in order to increase your awareness of what critical thinking is and what is to be learned.

Scientific inquiry causes students to use higher order thinking skills and learn science from a minds-on approach. Inquiry's foundation originates with John Dewey. In Dewey's book Democracy in Education (1916), he indicates that education begins with the curiosity of learners. Student curiosity and involvement in scientific inquiry moves them beyond passive learning to higher order thinking.

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Project-based learning or Problem-Based Learning (PBL) is one of the best teaching strategies for engaging students in realistic learning activities. Students are not only interested, they are also learning math in the process. Why? Because their minds are engaged, critical thinking is taking place!

free e-book on critical thinking from Microsoft

Sample discrepant events are used to cause contradictions in students' prior knowledge and experiences in support of their better understanding of science concepts.

The bushfire crisis that is currently impacting Australia is beyond devastating. The scale of these fires defies the imagination. For so long now we have lived with skies laden with smoke as a constant and inescapable reminder that this is not an ordinary summer. This is weather and drought at its most extreme. Our only salvation will be rain but this is not the season for that and the long term forecasts are not promising. Our young people, in particular, will be affected and will need special care in the weeks and months to come. What might this mean for schools and for student agency?

Scientific inquiry causes students to use higher order thinking skills and learn science from a minds-on approach. Inquiry's foundation originates with John Dewey. In Dewey's book Democracy in Education (1916), he indicates that education begins with the curiosity of learners.

Questioning is a critical focus in science, because without questions there would be no answers. Teaching children to question is an inquiry-based thinking skill.

'Design Thinking' might just be the next 'new' old thing in education. In her recent address to the National Press Club, Catherine Livingstone of The Business Council of Australia included 'Design Thinking' amongst the critical STEM skills required for Australia's future. But what do we mean by 'Design Thinking' and why should educators be interested?

We expect our students to use higher level thinking, but too often we don't explain to them what that means. Showing them how easy it is to use critical thinking skills will assist them in using those skills throughout the year.

good example of using critical thinking with media

The question of what learning matters most to our students is one that I return to regularly. A fascinating range of models are available each with similar elements but presented in a slightly different manner. Most could be summarised by the 'Four C's' model outlined in 'Most Likely to Succeed' by Tony Wagner and Ted Dintersmith. Critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity are vital and each plays an important role in allowing us to manage the complexity of modern day life. Beyond being relevant to success in the classroom the Four C's are the foundations of life-long learning but I question if alone they are enough. I believe we must include a fifth; compassion.

Based on the popular novel and upcoming movie "The Hunger Games," your students will think critically and practice their writing skills with these Hunger Games Video Writing Prompts.

Edheads provides free, educational online games focused on science, math, and critical thinking.

Digital Storytelling can transform your students' writing into a visual masterpiece that is filled with voice and emotion, while enhancing critical thinking skills.