Creativity Resources
Literature
The authors discuss synthetic, analytic, and practical abilities as components of creativity and how they can be developed. This is an article published on the Center for Development and Learning produced by the Dean of Arts and Sciences from Tufts University and an associate professor of human development at Cornell. Research supported means by which teachers can develop a student’s creativity.
Information Gathering/Sharing
Scoop It is an online tool that allows its users to select their topic of interest, and then receive a constant "feed" of updates on that topic in the form of blogs, magazine articles, and web pages. The user selects or "Scoops" the resources he or she likes, and then can share their compiled information with others of the same interests.
File Sharing
Pando is a free software application that allows users to share files of large sizes easily by download, streaming, or sharing them with other Pando users.
Idea Sharing
Pinterest is an online "bulletin board" tool that allows users to "pin" ideas that they like, "follow" others' boards that have the same interests, and ultimately idea swap in a virtual format that allows you to view your ideas from any computer or mobile device. There are multitudes of classroom ideas to improve teaching and learning.
Critical Thinking Resources
Bloom's Taxonomy
Understanding and Using Bloom's Taxonomy to Improve Instructional Practice
This online tool helps teachers develop learning objectives, questions, and assignments that focus on higher levels of thinking. The tool is divided into different pages for each of the three learning domains: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. There is also a page devoted to the revised cognitive domain (developed in the 1990's).
This online tool helps teachers develop learning objectives, questions, and assignments that focus on higher levels of thinking. The tool is divided into different pages for each of the three learning domains: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. There is also a page devoted to the revised cognitive domain (developed in the 1990's).
Computer Simulations
Decision making is an important critical thinking skill. Students need practice in making and evaluating decisions as well as providing justification for their own decisions. Computer simulations such as Lemonade Stand allow students to make decisions regarding a lemonade stand business. The decisions that are made will affect profits. Look for more simulation and decision making activities at activehistory.co.uk.
Content-Specific Simulations
Graphic courtesy of optimalenergetics
Open Educational Resources Commons offers links to content-specific simulation activities. The search linked to the title above and the picture to the left was done using the word "simulation" and narrowing the search to primary and secondary games, simulations, and activities and labs.
Cyberchase Math Games
This PBS Kids supported web page provides numerous games that involve students using their critical thinking skills to solve problems. The games are based on mathematical logic and have varying degrees of difficulty. Students need an understanding of mathematical concepts to be successful with these games.