Thinking styles

From BluWiki

No thinking style is better than another; each is simply different, and we often use different thinking styles for different situations. There are different approaches to thinking styles.

1. 1 Anthony Gregorc model

• concrete sequential - are based in reality. They process information in an ordered, sequential, linear way. To them, reality consists of what they can detect through their physical senses. They notice and recall details easily and remember facts, specific information, formulas and rules with ease. 'Hands on' is a good way for these people to learn.

• concrete random - experimenters. They're based in reality, but are willing to take more of a trial-and-error approach. Because of this, they often make the intuitive leaps necessary for true creative thought. They have a strong need to find alternatives and do things in their own way.

• abstract random - organize information through reflection, and thrive in unstructured, people-oriented environments. Reality is the world of feelings and emotions. They absorb ideas, information and impressions and organize them through reflection. They remember best if information is personalized. They feel constricted when they're subjected to a very structured environment. Look at the big picture first. Do things through plenty of visual clues, such as colored stickers pasted up where you'll see them.

• Abstract sequential - love the world of theory and abstract thought. They like to think in concepts and analyze information. They zoom in on what's important, such as key points and significant details. Their thinking processes are logical, rational and intellectual. A favorite activity for abstract sequentials is reading, and when a project needs to be researched they are very thorough at it. Generally they prefer to work alone rather than in groups.

self test thinking style: http://www.thelearningweb.net/chapter10/page359.html

1. 2 edward de bono

Dr Edward de Bono is regarded as the world's leading authority on creative and conceptual thinking.

• Six Thinking Hats - this program identifies 6 ways of thinking and the idea of 'hats' is that we can use any style of thinking - we just 'put on that style of thinking hat'. The Six Hat method is based on a consideration of how the brain chemicals differ when we are being cautious and when we are being positive. This chemical pre-sensitization is a key part of brain function. You cannot sensitize in all directions at once - so there is an absolute need to separate out the modes of thinking.

De Bono's six hats are:

• • White hat: Information & reports (objective)
  • Red hat: Intuition, opinion & emotion (subjective)
  • Yellow hat: Praise, positive aspects, (objective)
  • Black hat: Criticism, negative aspects, modus tollens (objective)
  • Green hat: Alternatives, new approaches & 'everything goes' (speculative)
  • Blue hat: "Big Picture," "Conductor hat," "Meta hat," "thinking about thinking", overall process (overview)

1. 3 Benjamin Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives

Bloom identified six levels within the cognitive domain, from the simple recall or recognition of facts, as the lowest level, through increasingly more complex and abstract mental levels, to the highest order which is classified as evaluation.

• 1. Knowledge: Rote memory skills (facts, terms, procedures, classification systems).
• 2. Comprehension: The ability to translate, paraphase, interpret or extrapolate material.
• 3. Application: The capacity to transfer knowledge from one setting to another.
• 4. Analysis: The ability to discover and differentiate the component parts of a larger whole.
• 5. Synthesis: The ability to weave component parts into a coherent whole.
• 6. Evaluation: The ability to judge the value or use of information using a set of standards.

http://www.gigglepotz.com/miblooms.htm http://chiron.valdosta.edu/whuitt/col/cogsys/bloom.html

1. 4 Howard Gardner and Multiple Intelligences

Gardner considers intelligence to fall into 8 groups:

• verbal-linguistic: learns best through reading, hearing and seeing words, speaking, writing, discussing and debating.
• math-logic: learns best through working with patterns and relationships, classifying, categorizing, working with the abstract.
• spatial: learns best through working with pictures and colors, visualizing, drawing.
• bodily-kinesthetic: learns best through touching, moving, processing knowledge through bodily sensations.
• musical: learns best through rhythm, melody, singing, listening to music and melodies.
• interpersonal: learns best through sharing, comparing, relating, interviewing, cooperating.
• intrapersonal: learns best through working alone, doing self-paced projects, having space, reflecting.
• naturalist: learns best through working in nature, exploring things, learning about plants and natural events.

http://www.gigglepotz.com/mi8.htm

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