Instructional Design Principles
27
Overview
Thinking Skills Design Principle (4:05)
Description
The Thinking Skills Design Principle was developed to build job-specific thinking and problem-solving skills, this approach is real-world focused for progressive learning and thinking skills that are unique to a specific area of focus. The three main bodies of thinking skills are creative thinking, critical thinking, and metacognition. These thinking skills focus on a whole-task or part-task training process which is applicable for different learners. These two instruction methods separate learners based on their level of complexity and include explicit learning based on a case study approach.
Guidelines for Use
Guideline 1 – Analysis of Process
Instruction can begin with an assessment of desired thinking skill outcomes, this should be developed and used as a benchmark to ensure the content is focused on specific outcomes based around creative thinking, critical thinking or metacognition.
Guideline 2 – Determining your Approach
The content can be organized using one of the following approaches depending on the skills and context of the case study situation. Part-Task takes content into smaller areas of focus and learners are given smaller amounts of content to practice and build their thinking skills gradually. This approach works well with novice learners as it doesn’t overwhelm them with content. Whole-task takes the approach where an authentic situation is given and integrates the knowledge and skills needed to solve that problem into the learning. This approach works well with more complex learners.
Guideline 3 – Specific Context
Engage learners with expert examples and simulations of content. This process can be done individually or in collaborative group assignments where learners can observe, analyze, describe and act on their case study situation. Taking this element one step further, learners can observe (O) a case study and make a summarized assessment. They can then analyze (A) their observation summary and describe (D) how they would respond in a specific professional experience. From there, the learner can design an action (A) plan and respond to the situation based on feedback from peers, facilitators or mentors creating a deeper understanding of content.
Guideline 4 – Interact with the Resolution
Use a reflection assessment on the learning process as an effective way for learners to further engage with content and analyze why actions were taken. This reflection reviews what they have learned throughout the process inclusive of the solution but also on the problem-solving skills that were used to find a solution.
Guideline 5 – Learner Focused
The learner should have control over their learning through the OADA phases, but the case study can be provided to the learners to ensure it specifically meets the problem where certain thinking skills are required to solve. Implement this by giving the learner a specific problem that related to thei