Learning to think

What is Self?Self management skills

What is thinking?Types of thinking Learning to think

Define your self

Describe your self with the help of letters in your name, such as:

NAJAMN_niceA- activeJ- jauntyA- adorableM- multi dimensional task

What is Self?• It is the understanding or determination of

one's own nature or basic qualities.• your consciousness of your own identity.• Defining ourselves is a life long process, one

that is ever changing. We learn more, see more and experience more as we grow, and in doing so, we should always be defining ourselves.

Self Management

Being able to manage your own emotions and be flexible in a range of complex and demanding situations.

Self-management is a psychological term used to describe the process of achieving personal autonomy.

Self management skills• Ability to choose, • or make a decision • Adventuresome • Honesty • Alertness• Integrity • Assertiveness • Initiative,• Loyalty • Attention to details • Authenticity • Optimism• Aware

• Open-minded • Patience • Performing well under stress• Polite& Punctual • Reliability • Resourcefulness, Risk taking• Self-confidence, Self-control• Self-reliance ,Self-respect • Sense of humor, Sincerity • Spontaneity ,Tactfulness

Verstality

Learning to think

• What is thinking?• Types of thinking• Process of thinking• Thinking skills• Uses of thinking

Brain Teaser• Exercise 1 - CABLE CAR

Pretend for a moment that you are a streetcar conductor on a cable car in San Francisco, going up and down the city's hills. As you start your first run one morning, five people are waiting for you. It is a busy morning, for at the next stop 17 people board your car. At the third stop six people get off, and 11 get on. At your fourth stop, 20 people get on, and seven people get off.

• How old is the conductor of the cable car?

Exercise 2 - MATCHSTICKSThis diagram represents twelve matchsticks positioned to

represent a square made up of four equal squares. Now ask: "Can you, by moving only three of these sides (matchsticks),

make three equal-sized squares?"

What is thinking?

• Thinking is a purposeful mental activity. Most part of thinking is a conscious activity. At times when you are in deep thinking ,even in your unconscious mind can also continue thinking even after the conscious activity stops.

Contd…..

• Thinking is the manipulation of mental representations in the form of:– Word– A visual image– Sound

The Mental Filing Cabinet:

• Your brain works as an organizing tool, or mental filing cabinet, & it has the amazing ability to cross reference the information.

• The important thing is how to use that filing cabinet in such a way that it enhances the creativity of a person.

Types of thinking

Thinking

Convergent Critical Divergent Creative

Inductive thinking Deductive thinking

What is Convergent Thinking• Convergent thinking is

evaluating the possible solutions to come up with the best answer to the question at hand.

Contd….

• This type of thinking is cognitive processing of information around a common point, an attempt to bring thoughts from different directions into a union or common conclusion.

Critical thinking -

• This is convergent thinking. It assesses the worth and validity of something existent. It involves precise, persistent, objective analysis. When teachers try to get several learners to think convergently, they try to help them develop common understanding.

Contd…..• Convergent thinking focuses on background

knowledge, gathering information, applying conventional and logical techniques, and using decision-making strategies.

• Convergent thinking generates established ideas.

• Convergent thinking can be thought of as the knowledge base of creativity.

Divergent thinking• Divergent thinking,

in contrast to convergent thinking, requires one to look for alternative answers from the available knowledge.

Contd…• This type of thinking starts from a

common point and moves outward into a variety of perspectives.

• It is a process whereby unexpected combinations are made, recognition of abstract associations takes place, and information is transformed into unanticipated or new forms.

Examples of convergent and divergent thinking processes.• Convergent• Using logic• Combining what

normally “belongs” together

• Being accurate• Finding the best answer• Playing by the rules

• Divergent• Taking risks• Generating multiple

answers• Looking from a new

perspective• Combining what does

not “normally” belong together

• Changing what is known

Creative Thinking• Creativity requires both

divergent and convergent thinking.

• This is mostly based on divergent thinking. It generates something new or different. It involves having a different idea that works as well or better than previous ideas.

Contd..

Once a person has a knowledge base, (part of convergent thinking) divergent thinking can take place. The knowledge base also makes it possible for a person to vary their thoughts from the norm and to identify a solution that may be effective.

Exercise in Divergent Thinking:• Exercise # 1: (10 mins)

– Write down the different & novel uses of the following objects ( as many as you can think of)

– a brick– A bar of soap– A pen– A rope

Inductive and deductive thinking

• Inductive thinking - This is the process of reasoning from parts to the whole, from examples to generalizations.

• Deductive thinking - This type of reasoning moves from the whole to its parts, from generalizations to underlying concepts to examples.

Uses of thinking

• thinking is what people do when they pursue their goals.

• Everyone focuses their thinking in order to satisfy wants and needs regarding a particular situation.

Contd…

• They recognize and define information relevant to their purpose, consider alternatives, decide what to do, do it, determine if they are satisfied with the results, and if not, revise their approach until they are successful, all while learning through the experience.

Increase Your Experience:

• Making a commitment to seek fresh experiences not only makes you a more interesting person, it also enhances your creative potential.

• An active brain is continually restructuring itself, becoming increasingly complex & efficient.

Learning how to learn• Build good habits

– Success comes from good habits. Habits come from skill and lifestyle.

• Develop the habit of mental self-management– Plan, monitor and evaluate your learning

process– Identify your best learning styles

Learning how to learn contd…

• Monitor and improve your learning skills– Reading, writing, listening, time

management etc• Use different learning environments

– Lecture, labs, study groups, etc.

Learning how to learn contd…

• Develop the habit of positive thinking– Increasing confidence and self esteem.

Setting goals etc.• Develop the habit of hierarchical thinking

– Set priorities and manage time. Summarize ideas and organize information.

Learning how to learn contd. . .• Develop the habit of creative and critical

thinking– Make decisions and solve problems.

• Develop the habit of asking questions– Identify main ideas and support evidence– Generate interest and motivation. Focus

concentration and improve memory.

Websites

• http://www.ves.wpsb.org/focus/typesofthinking.html