V: ENABLING THINKING                                                                                                                       PACES

TEACHING AND LEARNING COMPONENT

V.C PROBLEM SOLVING AND CREATIVE THINKING
When learners are involved in identifying critical features of, articulating, and solving problems, the development and use of higher order thinking skills are enhanced. Elaborating responses and extending responses and ideas to different contexts facilitate the development of the ability to think. Creative thinking challenges learners to use their ideas in new and original ways that can enhance their personal learning and strengthen their beliefs in their capabilities as learners (self-efficacy).

Sample Professional Growth Activity 1

Comprehension

  1. Review Component V.C of the PACES Teaching and Learning Professional Growth Manual and this Teacher Guide to PACES, for a written explanation of the component.

  2. Define and restate in your own words the following: critical analysis and/or problem solving, elaborating, extending or discussing learners’ responses, creative thinking, extending learning to different contexts and the relationship of all the aforementioned skills to learners’ responsibilities as thinkers.

  3. Meet with the PACES Professional Growth Team for discussion and clarification of PACES Component V.C.

Practical Application

  1. Write and implement a one-week lesson plan including the above thinking strategies and share with the Colleague or other member(s) of the PACES Professional Growth Team for feedback.
Assessment
  1. Throughout the week of implementation, engage in self-assessment/reflection and complete a log of experiences to include successful and unsuccessful strategies.

Sample Professional Growth Activity 2

Comprehension

  1. Review Component V.C of the PACES Teaching and Learning Professional Growth Manual and this Teacher Guide to PACES.

  2. Conduct an Internet search using "problem solving" and/or "creative thinking" as key words/query for potential project ideas.

Practical Application

  1. Working collaboratively with an experienced colleague, write a lesson plan with a project encompassing problem solving and creative thinking for learners.

  2. Videotape the implementation of the project for analysis.

Assessment

  1. Conclude with viewing the videotape for feedback with the experienced colleague. Write a summary on problem solving and creative thinking strategies.

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