The core abstract cognitive enabler that most academics and businesses professionals bemoan the lack of is critical thinking. So why can’t we just teach students critical thinking? Teaching students to think critically and critical thinking are not the same thing. Although thinking critically is a necessary part of critical thinking, students can learn to think … Continue reading
Transferability is a problem in every area of learning. One of the primary goals of any training or education is transferability. To paraphrase Bjork, we have is the need to produce and have available a mental representation of the knowledge or skill that allows for flexible access to that information in different settings. The problem … Continue reading
Given that the future of work is quite uncertain for most workers, the idea of continuous learning to remain relevant in the workforce is widely accepted by those who study the area. With experts split between a utopian and dystopian outlook, we have to wonder what it will look like for the average worker – … Continue reading
Remembering information is an important part of education. Not as important as education would lead us to believe, but it is still important. With the development of technology, memorization has declined in importance. However, education has not changed in any way to accommodate these developments and memorization is becoming more and more a central part … Continue reading
I have written numerous articles about abstract cognitive enablers. I have highlighted the demand by organizations for abstract cognitive enablers. I have written about the future of learning and the future of learning and how cognitive enablers are the skills that will lead to prosperity. I have written about how abstract cognitive enablers set us … Continue reading
How people learn is a central aspect of education. Since learning figures so prominently in the entire field of education, it would make sense to review what we know about learning in light of what science tells us about the process. From behavioural studies to neuroimaging, we have learned a great deal about the process. … Continue reading
The recent scandal of parents buying their children’s way into prestigious institutions is appalling, but not surprising to many of us who study the area. The Harvard grade scandal, or pragmatic reality, of a decade ago pulled the curtain back for those who actually looked at it. I believe that several things are lacking in … Continue reading
Critical thinking is the most powerful problem-solving method ever devised and requires significant cognitive resources. It requires both concrete and abstract cognitive enablers and takes significant time to learn. There are a number of cognitive components that come together for critical thinking to occur. I define critical thinking skills by combining two definitions of critical … Continue reading
Critical analysis is the result of carefully evaluating the premise upon which a conclusion is based. A thorough critical analysis is an important part of any decision making and includes not only the consideration of the conclusion of other works, but a thorough analysis of the basis upon which these conclusions are formed. Too often, … Continue reading
Rational thinking is basic to our functioning human beings. Being able to consider the information available, organize it in a way that leads to a logical solution begins very early in cognitive development. With maturation, concrete rational thinking can become more sophisticated with the ability to consider more information in order to reach a decision. … Continue reading
