ABSTRACT

Across the world education for 'thinking’ is seen as the key to thriving in an increasingly complex, globalised, technological world. The OECD suggests that teaching thinking is key to growing a more successful economy; others claim it is needed for increased democratic engagement and well-being.

Theory of Teaching Thinking discusses what is meant by ‘thinking’ in the context of teaching and takes a global perspective incorporating contributions from neurocognitive, technological, Confucian, philosophical, and dialogical viewpoints.

Questions explored throughout this edited volume include:

  • what is thinking?
  • how can thinking be taught?
  • what does ‘better thinking’ mean, and how can we know it if we see it?
  • what is the impact on wider society when thinking is taught in the classroom?

Extensively researched and at the cutting edge of this field, this book provides the context for teaching thinking that researchers, teachers, and policy-makers need. As the first book in a brand new series, Research on Teaching Thinking and Creativity, it is a much-needed introduction and guide to this critical subject.

chapter |10 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|15 pages

Emotions

Can’t think with them, can’t think without them

chapter 3|16 pages

Thinking beyond rationalism

chapter 4|16 pages

Philosophy with Children from pragmatism to posthumanism

Thinking through the Community of Philosophical Inquiry

chapter 5|16 pages

Fixing Humpty Dumpty

Putting higher-order skills and knowledge together again

chapter 7|12 pages

Learning to think collectively

A response to the wicked problems of our times

chapter 9|17 pages

An outline of assessment in humanistic conversations

Definitions, aims, and design

chapter 10|15 pages

Theory and the evaluation of teaching thinking

Evidence about the impact of thinking skills approaches: what is it important to evaluate?