Theory of Teaching Thinking International Perspectives

Across the world education for 'thinking’ is seen as the key to thriving in an increasingly complex, globalised, technological world. The OECD suggests that teaching thinking is key to growing a more successful economy; others claim it is needed for increased democratic engagement and well-being. Theory of Teaching Thinking discusses what is meant by ‘thinking’ in the context of teaching and takes a global perspective incorporating contributions from neurocognitive, technological, Confucian, philosophical, and dialogical viewpoints. Questions explored throughout this edited volume include: what is thinking? how can thinking be taught? what does ‘better thinking’ mean, and how can we know it if we see it? what is the impact on wider society when thinking is taught in the classroom? Extensively researched and at the cutting edge of this field, this book provides the context for teaching thinking that researchers, teachers, and policy-makers need. As the first book in a brand new series, Research on Teaching Thinking and Creativity, it is a much-needed introduction and guide to this critical subject.

Introduction Laura Kerslake andRupert Wegerif 1. A recent history of teaching thinking Steve Higgins 2. Emotions: can’t think with them, can’t think without them Doug Newton 3. Thinking beyond rationalism Emma Williams 4. Philosophy with Children from pragmatism to posthumanism: thinking through the Community of Philosophical Inquiry Laura Kerslake 5. Fixing Humpty-Dumpty: putting higher-order skills and knowledge together again Carl Bereiter andMarlene Scardamalia 6. A dialogic theory of teaching thinking Rupert Wegerif 7. Learning to think collectively: a response to the wicked problems of our times Valerie A. Brown 8. A Confucian perspective on developing thinking skills Li Li 9. An outline of assessment in humanistic conversations: definitions, aims and design Benzi Slakmon andBaruch B. Schwarz 10. Theory and the evaluation of teaching thinking Bob Burden andSteve Higgins

Laura Kerslake is a philosophy lecturer currently conducting research into Philosophy with Children at the University of Cambridge. She is the creator of the Philosophize project, and has wide experience of teaching thinking in education from Early Years to Higher Education. Rupert Wegerif is a professor of education at the University of Cambridge. He has written several books and many research articles on teaching thinking and educational theory. He is co-director of the Cambridge Educational Dialogue Research Group (CEDiR) and founder and co-convenor of the Educational Theory Special Interest Group of the European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction.