{"id":1604,"date":"2016-11-30T15:37:58","date_gmt":"2016-11-30T23:37:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/praxis\/?p=1604"},"modified":"2018-12-21T22:05:13","modified_gmt":"2018-12-22T06:05:13","slug":"can-thinking-be-taught-in-the-classroom","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/magoosh.com\/praxis\/can-thinking-be-taught-in-the-classroom\/","title":{"rendered":"Can Thinking Be Taught in the Classroom?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"can<\/p>\n

Can thinking be taught in the classroom? I believe that students already have the tools they need to think for themselves. However, they need help learning how to apply it. To do this, use some of these ways to teach your students how to think.<\/p>\n

Be Honest When You Don\u2019t Have the Answer<\/h2>\n

As teachers, we often feel that we need to be the person that students can turn to for all the answers. We don\u2019t want to look stupid or lose authority by admitting that we don\u2019t know something. In actuality, telling students when you don\u2019t have the answer can have a positive impact on them. They realize that it\u2019s okay not to know the answer. It\u2019s okay to think differently from others. So, if you don\u2019t know an answer or have a different answer than your students, be honest with them and let them know.<\/p>\n

Encourage Students to Ask Questions<\/h2>\n

With the Internet, there\u2019s a lot of opinions floating around. It\u2019s important for students to question everything and find answers on their own. Teach students that they shouldn\u2019t accept everything as truth. Encourage students to ask questions<\/a>. Then, push them to conduct research and discover the truth for themselves.<\/p>\n

Allow Students to Make Choices<\/h2>\n

Part of thinking for yourself involves making your own choices<\/a> about your education. This could involve allowing students to choose their own writing prompt, project, or essay topic. Think about ways to provide students with options, so they can practice thinking for themselves and taking responsibility for their own learning.<\/p>\n

Choose Alternative Assessments Instead of Tests<\/h2>\n

For most tests, students memorize information and repeat it back to you. It doesn\u2019t require them to think critically. To get students to really apply what they\u2019ve learned, find alternate ways to assess their learning<\/a>. Projects, essays, class activities, and other methods can be just as effective while pushing students to think about what they\u2019re learning in a new way.<\/p>\n

Have Students Try New Things<\/h2>\n

Encourage students to step outside of their comfort zone and try new things. Some of the things they could do include:<\/p>\n