"These terms are often used interchangeably, although there are some differences among them."

1. Welcome authentic questions2. Encourage effective teamwork3. Be ready to go Big4. Build empathy5. Uncover passion6. Amplify worthy ideas7. Know when to say no8. Encourage breakthroughs

"...fourth in a series of posts from PBL World, a global gathering of educators interested in project-based learning."

"True innovative people have a certain drive and energy about them that you like to be around. They are always full of ideas and looking for ways to improve things. Keep in mind that they aren't born as black belts in these mental traits…they've developed them over time."

Also could be titled "10 Outcomes of the Critical Skills Classroom"

A Step-by-Step Guide to the Best Projects Discover a project-based learning model that motivates students to pursue knowledge and drives academic achievement.

Reads like a page out of our Level One Kit.

Report provides data that shows "Students doing hands-on projects in class more frequently score higher."

Also glosses over the most significant differences in achievement are socioeconomic based.

"Right now we are grooming our kids to think in a very particular way, which assumes that the right way to be thinking is to be attentive, to stare straight ahead."

Brings up interesting question of "When do we start?"  Also, about possibilities for teaching parents to be teachers.

"The best advice that I have ever been given to help me create good quality summative comments when assessing pupils' work came from Darren Mead. He explained that if the comments made are kind, specific and helpful, the pupil will be able to progress to the next level."

"The outcome of this demonstration was for pupils to know that peer assessment should provide not only summative comments but also an insight into achieving better work."

"PBL can create engaging learning for all students, but that depth of learning requires careful, specific design. Part of this engagement is the element of critical thinking. Complex problem solving and higher-order thinking skills, coupled with other elements such as authenticity, voice, and choice, create an engaging context for learning."

Resource for introducing parents to critical thinking.

Good. Simple. Powerful.

"The problem with many assessments is they measure what students know not what they can do with that knowledge.How can instructional strategies help learners develop expertise in the content area?"

"1.What is the ultimate goal of teaching and learning? For students to know something on the surface or for students to be able to think and do something differently?"

Trisha Riche' is a kindergarten inclusion teacher at R. L. Brown Elementary in Jacksonville, FL. The grade-level chair at her school, Trisha was selected as one of the top ten most innovative educators in the country for The Great American Teach Off. Here's an experiment you can conduct in many schools, maybe even the school where you teach.

I get fired up when I read articles like this...they validated my belief that our focus as educators should be to teach our students how to learn rather than to fill them with information. jf

"If you want to succeed in 21st Century business you need to become a critical thinker. Roger Martin of the Rotman School of Management figured this out a decade ago and as dean, has been working to transform his school's business curriculum with greater emphasis on critical thinking skills."

The idea that there is a growing necessity to think broadly and differently to be successful is not limited to progressive educators. It is a concept that is understood and embraced even in…especially in…corporate America too. jf

Question assumptions. Critical thinkers are inquisitive and look to find the what and the why behind every proposition.Adopt different perspectives. Take advantage of the genders and cultures represented in today's diverse ... landscape.See potential. Assumption-busting and harnessing multiple perspectives are deductive skills. Critical thinkers should also have a creative bent that allows them to see opportunities where others see obstacles.Managing ambiguity … you need to get comfortable with operating in an environment where change is constant and rapid decisions are required.In a world of growing uncertainty one thing is certain; we will need sharp critical thinkers who can size up the situation, realize the potential where others may not, and seize opportunities through prompt decision-making.