Top Free Resources for Developing Higher-Order Thinking Skills: A Guide for Teachers
In today’s rapidly changing world, it is crucial for educators to equip students with higher-order thinking skills. These skills go beyond basic knowledge and comprehension and involve critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making abilities. Fortunately, there are numerous free resources available to help teachers foster these skills in their classrooms. This article will explore some of the top free resources for developing higher-order thinking skills.
1. Bloom’s Taxonomy: Bloom’s Taxonomy is a widely recognized framework that categorizes thinking skills into six levels, ranging from lower-order thinking (remembering and understanding) to higher-order thinking (applying, analyzing, evaluating, and creating). Teachers can use this framework to design activities and assessments that promote higher-order thinking. The Bloom’s Taxonomy Wheel is a free online tool that provides examples of activities for each level.
2. TED-Ed: TED-Ed is an online platform that offers a vast collection of educational videos on various topics. These videos are accompanied by interactive quizzes, discussion questions, and additional resources. Teachers can use TED-Ed to engage students in critical thinking by analyzing and evaluating the ideas presented in the videos. The platform also allows teachers to create their own lessons using TED-Ed’s customizable tools.
3. Khan Academy: Khan Academy is a popular online learning platform that offers free video lessons on a wide range of subjects. It provides students with opportunities to practice problem-solving and critical thinking skills through interactive exercises and quizzes. Teachers can assign specific Khan Academy lessons to their students or use the platform as a supplementary resource to reinforce higher-order thinking skills.
4. Puzzlemaker: Puzzlemaker is a free online tool provided by Discovery Education that allows teachers to create customized puzzles, such as crosswords, word searches, and mazes. These puzzles can be used to engage students in problem-solving and critical thinking activities. Teachers can design puzzles that require students to analyze information, make connections, and think creatively.
5. Google Suite: Google Suite offers a range of free tools, such as Google Docs, Google Slides, and Google Forms, that can be used to promote higher-order thinking skills. Teachers can create collaborative projects using Google Docs, where students can analyze and evaluate information together. Google Slides can be used for presentations that require students to think creatively and communicate their ideas effectively. Google Forms can be used to design quizzes and surveys that assess students’ critical thinking abilities.
6. Project Gutenberg: Project Gutenberg is a digital library that offers over 60,000 free eBooks. Teachers can use this resource to provide students with reading materials that promote higher-order thinking skills. Students can analyze and evaluate the content of these books, make connections to real-world situations, and develop their own ideas and arguments.
7. Smithsonian Learning Lab: The Smithsonian Learning Lab is an online platform that provides access to millions of digital resources from the Smithsonian Institution’s collections. Teachers can search for specific topics or browse through curated collections to find resources that promote higher-order thinking skills. The platform offers interactive activities, videos, images, and articles that engage students in critical thinking and creativity.
In conclusion, developing higher-order thinking skills is essential for preparing students for the challenges of the future. By utilizing these top free resources, teachers can create engaging and interactive learning experiences that foster critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making abilities in their students.
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