Critical thinking is often touted as a superior way to confront the issues one faces. But what is critical thinking, really? How is it done? Can anyone do it, or are Spock-like mental abilities required? Critical thinking is sometimes talked about as a near-mystical skill that … [Read more...] about Critical Thinking Skills: What are They and How Do I Get Them?
3 Ways Concept Maps Help You Learn
Concept maps are pictures that that show how ideas relate to each other. In a concept map, ideas are represented as nodes, and the relationships between them as links with descriptive labels. Concept maps can be very large and complex—and they can be very small and simple. You can use … [Read more...] about 3 Ways Concept Maps Help You Learn
Keep Impulsivity in Check by Thinking about the Future
Ahh, the beginning of a new year. Time to start thinking about making up for recent overindulgences. Holiday festivities, treats, and good cheer stretching back to November have been chipping away at our rational minds bit by bit. Offering decisive indulgence and immediate gratification in … [Read more...] about Keep Impulsivity in Check by Thinking about the Future
Building Spatial Thinking Improves STEM success
You fall off of a ledge, dropping through a hole in the floor, only to find yourself hurtling out the side of a wall like a cannon ball. If you can imagine that easily, you have great spatial thinking skills. Or you’ve been playing Portal 2. Perhaps your spatial reasoning got a boost from playing … [Read more...] about Building Spatial Thinking Improves STEM success
Five Metacognitive Strategies to Change Your Mind
Everyday learning often starts with a surprise. Something unexpected happens and you use that to change your understanding. You learn the most when you use metacognitive strategies to adapt your mindset. Metacognition is what you know about how you think and learn. It includes knowing what you … [Read more...] about Five Metacognitive Strategies to Change Your Mind
Does High Intelligence Mean Low Cognitive Bias?
In thinking through any complex issue, there are going to be different possible solutions and perspectives. Ideally, a smart and critical thinker would reason through the pros and cons of the different possibilities and come to a balanced view of the issue. Yet a great deal of research finds … [Read more...] about Does High Intelligence Mean Low Cognitive Bias?