What is the Difference Between Higher-Order Thinking and Critical Thinking

What is the Difference Between Higher-Order Thinking and Critical Thinking Which is more In-Demand: Higher-Order or Critical Thinking Skills? ChaptersCritical Thinking SkillsWhat is Higher Order Thinking?Thinking Skills and Formal EducationWhere do Tutors Fit In?Every human being thinks, save for those in a persistent vegetative state and newborns â€" that said with due awareness of the ethical controversy of labelling humans ‘vegetative’.As the human psyche â€" the mind develops and intellect grows, we become capable of thinking beyond our direct environment, needs and wants.We start to conceptualise, a fancy word for ‘imagine’, and then move on to problem-solving rather quickly. Those two types of rationalisation form the basis of higher-order thinking.Till recently, it was thought that higher-order thinking skills developed in step with the acquisition of knowledge, meaning that only highly-educated people might be higher-order thinkers.However, recent studies reveal that children as young as four exhibit higher-order thinking skills.What are critical thinking skills and higher-order thinking skills? Why are the y such a big deal these days? How do they differ from other thinking such as inductive and deductive reasoning?And how can tutors help their charges develop thinking skills in general?Therefore, it should be up to individuals to probe any issue and give each one deep thought before accepting any idea as deserving of belief or credibility.Essentially, Socrates advocated for self-reliance, something Ralph Waldo Emerson, a 19th-century philosopher staked his entire fortune and reputation on.Meanwhile, far from philosophical thought, the concept of critical thinking took a divergent turn, away from rational thinking that involves critique, towards an intellectually disciplined process.That meant that, far from being egocentric, critical thinking called for nearly dispassionate reasoning by examining facts through the lens of logic and arriving at a conclusion.The trouble with that premise is that humans are, for the most part, incapable of separating their experiences from their process of analysis.Therefore, the concept of critical thinking still represents, at least in part, individual biases.Discover the limitations current educational standards place on cultivating thinking skills...What is Higher Order Thinking?Critical thinking, along with problem-solving, is a higher-order thinking skill because it goes beyond exposure to information and rote memorisation.Higher order thinking skills, often abbreviated as HOTS, is an educational reform initiative based on Bloom’s Taxonomy, among others.Analysing, evaluating and synthesising â€" the process of consolidating knowledge requires a different pedagogy than the current process of presenting information and concepts, the memorisation of which is periodically tested.There is a certain resistance to implementing learning activities targeted to the knowledge consolidation process described above. We'll talk about that in our next section.For a long time, researchers and educators believed that the development of tho ught processes was incremental, based on the acquisition of knowledge.Ongoing cognitive studies like the ones mentioned in this article's introduction have proven that, far from thinking skills being based on intellect, they are a natural process of cognitive development that happens much earlier than anyone had ever suspected.Not only is higher order thinking evidenced in small humans who have never been in an academic setting, but their higher-order thinking skills outdo most anyone who has stayed the entire course of academic development.How do you put a giraffe in a refrigerator?This deceptively simple question befuddles many adults but youngsters know that you simply open the door to the fridge, put the giraffe in and close the door.No consideration is given as to the size of the animal versus the size of the appliance; for young minds, the answer is a simple matter of opening the door, inserting and closing the door.As the quiz progresses, through your answers you’re clued t o various aspects of your thinking ability, such as being able to think through the consequences of your decisions and your ability to contextualise.How is it that preschool children can think their way through seemingly complex problems with a minimum of effort while adults, armed with years of formal education cannot seem to make sense of simple concepts?Discover also what defines higher-order thinking...Small children do not give consideration to the size of a giraffe when asked how to put it in a fridge Source: Pixabay Credit: Amigos3DThinking Skills and Formal EducationAdvocates of traditional education disdain HOTS in favour of continuing instructional strategies to impart basic skills.In this context, the phrase ‘basic skills’ represents a concept that is in direct opposition to HOTS, in that:academic subjects are segregated: sciences are learned separately from maths; language mechanics are taught independent of literature and art, with reading skills being taught as yet another subject.Basic skills learning is a teacher-centred methodologyThe teaching and learning of basic skills is for the sake of academic accrual rather than any real-life applicationby contrast, project-based learning applies subject knowledge to real-life situationsAssessments are summative, often in the form of multiple choice questionsFacts are learned in a particular sequence.Let’s take a standard maths curriculum, to illustrate that last point.Students learn the order of numbers, and then the sense of numbers, and then the properties of numbers and basic arithmetic. In higher key stages they will study algebra and geometry... but all of these concepts are taught independent of one another even though they are all branches of the same subject.Basic Skills methodology suggests that a student’s capacity to absorb, understand and retain knowledge is predicated on the gradual unveiling of increasingly complex ideas of concepts.HOTS advocates for a spiral curriculum: introduc ing concepts early in a student’s academic career and revisiting them throughout their time of formal learning, albeit with incrementally greater degrees of complexity.Again, we draw on maths to illustrate this point.Early Years Foundation Stage pupils are taught about numbers. They are also often assigned work that calls for them to detect patterns â€" ‘what’s missing’ worksheets, for example.Why not combine those two activities?Elementary algebraic concepts do not require mastery of arithmetic to understand them; the study of set theory is perfectly suitable for EYSF students.Key Stage 1 students would then go on to explore magmas, tap on quasigroups and semigroups...Even though those students might not actually meet an equation until much later in their school years, the foundation for understanding and working with algebra will have already been laid.How about using higher-order thinking in problem-solving?Perhaps the clearest example of the concept of ‘basic skills’ is how it is applied in our country.Literacy and numeracy programmes for adults lacking in those skills is known as ‘adult basic skills’ education.Those learners are not expected to build on the knowledge they gain; the reading and maths skills they are taught are for the sole purpose of functioning better in society.Isn’t it scary that basic education is what is taught in classrooms across the country?Learn how tutors can be instrumental in helping their students gain higher-order thinking skills...Many HOTS proponents advocate for a spiraling curriculum Source: Pixabay Credit: GeraltWhere do Tutors Fit In?Private tutors have the luxury of developing their curricula in accordance with each of their students’ needs. They also have substantial leeway in how they teach their subject matter.Whereas a school teacher may be constrained from encouraging debate or independent thinking by time and the number of students s/he teaches in each class, those very functions are where a t utor’s role has the most impact.Let’s say that your tutoring skills have been sought out to provide homework help in chemistry.Standard curricular activities involve learning the names of the elements studying their molecular structure and memorising the periodic table.The homework assignment: what’s the difference between a molecular formula and an empirical formula?Your student has prior knowledge of empirical formulae but is missing the connection between them and the ‘true’ formulae. How would you guide him/her to the correct answer?You might, perhaps, clue him/her into the structural formula â€" the arrangement of the atoms, and then present the lowest whole number ratio of atoms (empirical formula) versus the number of atoms in each of the elements that comprise the molecule (molecular formula) and encourage him/her to draw conclusions.That is how tutors encourage higher order thinking: by reinforcing known concepts, blending them with new concepts and guiding studen ts to conclusions.By supporting students in navigating their academic challenges rather than feeding them answers, tutors cultivate a level of student engagement that would be difficult for teachers to match.Not because teachers aren’t dedicated; just because the focus in the classroom  at this point is on academics rather than on students developing their cognitive skills and thinking skills.The open-ended questions you pose your students forces them to conceptualise. Your focus on concept formation â€" the process of connecting ideas,  along with your ongoing formative assessment of your pupils so that you can better determine how to entice your student towards maximum investment in his/her assignments...As a tutor, you are the essential link between general education and students’ learning outcomes.Just be careful! It is necessary to know when and how hard to push students towards thinking skills...

Finding Chemistry Courses in London

Finding Chemistry Courses in London Find the Right Chemistry Lessons in the City of London ChaptersChemistry at School: Preparing for your GCSEs and A-LevelsFinding Summer Courses in a London SchoolLearning Chemistry at London UniversitiesGeneral Chemistry Courses at a London UniversityLearning Chemistry with a Private TutorChemistry is a fascinating study. If you want to consider it for your further education, maybe applying to University, you should consider taking Chemistry for your GCSEs and A-Levels. Or if you’re not sure that chemistry is the right subject for you, you can take summer courses or seek counselling from professors at a university to discuss your higher education.So what are your options when you want to study chemistry in London? Imperial College has summer schools for year 9 that include chemistry.See what adult learning chemistry courses Birmingham has to offer.general Chemistry Bachelor’s and specialise for your Master's or doctorate.Research project: what do the teachers at the university specialise in, what specialised research projects might y ou be able to participate in as an undergraduate or graduate student?Interdisciplinary offers: Does the university offer any interdisciplinary courses, such as Chemistry and Medicine or the application of chemistry to the creative arts?Do they offer postgraduate courses or will you need to continue your education elsewhere?Many London universities offer chemistry degrees. Photo on VisualHuntGeneral Chemistry Courses at a London UniversityWhen looking for your prospective campuses, here are a few London colleges that offer general chemistry at an undergraduate level. Most have tuition of £9,250 per annum and last for 3 years, culminating in a Bachelor:CollegeTuitionLengthQueen Mary University £9,2503 yearsUniversity of East London £9,2503 yearsKingston University £9,250Offers a 4-year programme with sandwich year in addition to the 3-year programme.London Metropolitan University £9,250also offers a 4-year course part-timeUniversity College £9,250has a 4-year full-time programme rath er than a 3-year one to an undergraduate degreeKing’s College also has a 4-year programme, however, you will be graduating with a Master of Science rather than a Bachelor’s.Queen Mary, Imperial and King’s College all offer programmes with industry tie-ins or professional placement, partnering with firms to allow you to get professional experience before graduating.Specialised Chemistry at Universities in LondonUndergraduates who know what they want can specialise in the following aspects of chemistry at a London college:Analytical Chemistry - used for anything from jet-engine engineering to archaeology - is offered by Birkbeck for a one- or two-year Master’s degree, or as a postgraduate diploma; also by University College London (Master’s).Biochemistry is offered by Queen Mary University (Master’s; also with a year abroad), Kingston University (Bachelor’s), the University of East London (Bachelor’s with a foundation year - perfect if you don’t have the usual qualif ications), King’s CollegePharmaceutical Chemistry / Medicinal Chemistry is offered by University College, Kingston University, Queen Mary University, the University of Greenwich (as a Foundation Degree in Science over two years) and Middlesex University.In addition, if you’re all afire for CSI work, Kingston University offers degrees in Forensic Science  - or learn Forensic  Investigation and other chemistry classes in Glasgow.You might want to see if your chemistry courses are accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry. Photo credit: Nick D-J on VisualHunt.comLearning Chemistry with a Private TutorBecause chemistry requires a lab, it’s difficult to find a private tutor who will teach you chemistry in all its aspects. If you are very lucky, your tutor will have a home lab where you can visit or be able to rent space for his or her chemistry lessons at a school lab or college lab.However, a private tutor can help with the basics - learning formulae and equations, everything y ou need to know about the periodic table of elements and transition metals. When it comes to theory, a private tutor is ideal. He or she can come to your home or offer a seminar online through Skype, can adapt to your schedule and work on what you need to practise and perfect.A private tutor may not be what you need to get a job in the field of chemistry, but they can help you master your undergraduate or postgraduate courses and improve your grades while studying for GCSEs or A-Levels.Here at Superprof, we have over 700 tutors in the London area offering rates ranging from £10 to £120 an hour (but averaging about £23). Most will even offer their first lesson for free!Or you can post at one of the universities mentioned above to see if a graduate or undergraduate student is willing to make a few extra pounds by tutoring someone else. There are many ways to learn Chemistry UK! And other cities offer a great curriculum, cities with great universities such as Leeds.

English Grammar When to use the Present Continuous Tense

English Grammar When to use the Present Continuous Tense The following sets out the use of the Present Continuous format of verbs. There are examples given in each situation. How to Form the Present Continuous Tense The Present Continuous tense is formed with the present  tense  of the verb to be and the present participle of the verb (verb + -ing). Verbs are not normally used in the Present Continuous Some verbs are not normally used in the Present Continuous form. We usually use the following verbs in simple tenses only:knowunderstandforgetpreferwantrememberlikehateneedPresent Continuous relates to something that is usually happening at the time we are speaking.For example:Michael goes to work every day in his car. Today he is driving to work in his car. Michael is in his car now so we can use the Present Continuous to describe the act.Michael is driving  to work in his car (the verb: to drive, the present continuous: is driving). There are several other situations when it is appropriate to use the Present Continuous. These are as follows:1. When you are doing something not necessarily now at the time we are talking but close to that time.e.g. Michael and his friend Mary are talking over lunch. Michael says “I am reading (to read) a really good book now. I will tell you about it when I finish”.This does not mean he is reading it whilst talking to Mary but is reading it around that time and continues to do so.2. When something is being done around a period of time close to the present.e.g. Michael is working (to work) hard today. Or Michael is not skiing (to ski) this winter because he injured his knee.3. Finally we use Present Continuous when we talk specifically about situations that are changing.e.g. The weather is improving (to improve) quickly. or The temperature is falling (to fall) fast. or The winter snow is melting (to melt) now. Signal Words used with the Present Continuous nowat the momentListen!Look!tonightin the morning/in the afternoon/in the eveningthis week/this month/this yeartodayrightnowthese days List of State Verbs in English Check your understanding by doing this short exercise. You can write your answers below.Exercise:Try this exercise. You need to put the verb in brackets into the correct format using Present Continuous.Please be quiet. I ____________(try) to concentrate.Look! It ________________ (snow).Why _________________ (you/look) at me like that? Did I say something wrong?You ____________(make) a lot of noise. Can you be a little bit quieter?Excuse me, I ___________________ (look) for a phone booth. Is there one near here? When to Use the Present Continuous Tense - Video Lesson This video English lesson explains when to use the Present Continuous Tense in English. The Present Continuous Tense is also called the Present Progressive Tense. The Present Continuous Tense can be used in a number of ways.

So, What Is The Deal with So

So, What Is The Deal with So So is an important conjunction in the English language. There is often confusion with so and such. You can check out our grammar video about so and such  here. The audio clip below talks about h0w  English speakers are now using so in different ways, sometimes more similar to the way native English speakers use like well, or um. Its also being used to say that there is a backstory or background information that must be understood before you can receive an answer.  Listen to this linguists thoughts on so and answer the questions.Answer the questions below and we will respond in comments.We dont usually notice little words ______, ______, and ____.Where did use of so rank in the misused words list?Does NPR overuse so?So is a conversational work-horse, it _________ a new topic, it ________  causes to results, it ___ __ a joke. (Click here for the phrasal verb in the last blank.)Did F. Scott Fitgeralds editor recommend using a different word in the last sentence of his novel The Great G astsby?What is the new use of so?Which professions use so more than anyone?What are the three criticisms he cites about using so?Can you write 4 sentences using so?

How To Improve Your Grades This February

How To Improve Your Grades This February Tips From a Private Costa Mesa Tutor: 4 Things You Can do in February to Improve Grades February is an excellent time of year for students to take a look at their grades and take the time to make improvements if necessary. Theres plenty of time left before the end of the school year to improve individual assignment grades or just work on having an overall higher GPA. College prep students are not yet burdened with spring testing season making it an excellent time to focus on grades. Younger students dont have as much going on after school due to winter weather and wont feel so bad sitting inside to focus on academics. Each student is an individual, and their academic needs and priorities will change throughout their K-12 experience. However, there are a few tried-and-true strategies that students can work on at every level -our private Costa Mesa tutors are here to help you improve your grades this February. 1. Personal organization Just about every student, and at every level, can benefit from improved organization. Its so easy for students to forget due dates or details of class assignments and end up handing in a paper that didnt quite meet the teacher’s requirements or study the wrong chapters for an important test or quiz. This is essentially wasted energy because the student spent a lot of time focusing on an assignment, just not the right one. When students get help with organization, their grades improve dramatically, and they are usually less fatigued and more excited about their education in general (READ: 4 Reasons to Focus on SAT Tutoring Now). 2. Individual help Another thing students can focus on, whether theyre in 2nd grade or applying to college, is getting individualized help based on their current GPA. Most students have one or two subjects that are a little bit more challenging than others and can easily find themselves falling behind at this point in the year. Students who work on difficult subjects with a private tutor stay on track and experience less stress in the classroom environment. Even one hour a week can help students tackle challenging concepts and gives them the opportunity to ask specific questions at a pace thats appropriate for them as an individual learner. 3. Motivation Most students struggle with motivation in the middle of winter because its harder for them to get outside and maintain their energy levels. Theyve also been in the classroom for several months, yet summer break is still far away. Younger students need extra motivation from parents or their tutor to help them continue to focus on assignments. Older students benefit from looking at the big picture and remembering that their grades can make a big difference when it comes to college admissions. On the other hand, some students are overwhelmed at this point in the year and need to take more breaks or focus on a work-life balance. 4. Personal strengths and weaknesses This is also a great time of year for students to focus on their strengths and weaknesses. Some students excel in core subjects but cannot stay organized and study efficiently. Others are very well organized but need help with complicated math and English topics. The best resource for students who are determining their strengths and weaknesses is the classroom teacher. Students and parents can talk with the teacher to figure out what they might be able to work on to improve grades in difficult classes. If a student has been working with a private tutor throughout the year, they can also talk with them about patterns that have emerged or any information specific to that individual student that could be helpful. Dont wait until you fall behind in your classes to book a tutor. Our experienced Costa Mesa academic tutors are here to help you succeed. Call TutorNerds today for more information on our Costa Mesa tutoring. All blog entries, with the exception of guest bloggers, are written by Tutor Nerds. Are you an education professional? If so, email us at pr@tutornerds.com for guest blogging and collaborations. We want to make this the best free education resource in SoCal, so feel free to suggest what you would like to see us write.

Thank You, Emma Watson, For Showing Us What Feminism Looks Like

Thank You, Emma Watson, For Showing Us What Feminism Looks Like http://www.socialtalent.co Why is feminism a word with such negative connotations? As an adolescent, I realized how much of my beliefs rooted in feminist ideals. I watched as girls around me dropped out of their sports and leadership roles to become more girly, to not seem too aggressive, and to ultimately lose their confidence in themselves. I was forced to suppress my feminist views when I was in high school, because even my girl friends disagreed with me, saying if I was going to be a feminist I shouldnt expect guys to be chivalrous, pay for dates or assume the usual male roles in a relationship. But I was in high school, so my adolescent brain told me if I wanted a date to prom, I probably should keep these opinions to myself. Luckily, as I became a college student, I realized how I am not alone at all in my stance on feminism. I came to realize that not only am I not alone, but this problem is bigger than I even imagined. The fight to gain gender equality is that the word feminism has become synonymous with “man-hating, armpit hair-growing, liberal lunatic.” When I tell the guys in my life that I am a feminist, I’m lucky if all I get in response is an eye roll. This shouldnt be a word that is so tabooby definition it is the belief that women and men should have equal social, political and economic rights. Men and women both need to realize this; feminists are not fighting to gain an anti-male following, but to abolish the horrible stereotypes that women so often receive. For me, the hardest part of this struggle to gain social equality is watching my girl friends use derogatory words about other women. “She’s a total slut,” or “Don’t wear that, you’ll look like a whore,” are phrases thrown around so often that they have become a societal norm. Why do we, women who are struggling to become successful people, use these words (which were created by men to show ownership over other women) when referring to other women? We are only putting ourselves down when we “slut shame,” making it seem as though we are okay with being called “sluts” to the point that we will use it ourselves. There is no term to refer to male promiscuity, yet there are dozens of derogatory words to speak about sexually promiscuous women. Society views a sexually active guy as a real macho man, but a sexually active woman as a slut. Feminism isnt about burning bras and refusing to shave your leg hair. Its about giving yourself or the women you care about the chance to be all that you/they can be without discrimination. Although we live in one of the best time periods in history for women to coexist with men, there is still so much separation between genders. Thank you, Emma Watson, for bringing this issue to international attention, because these acts of feminism-hating, inequality and slut-shaming need to come to an end. To see Emma Watsons speech on her HeforShe campaign, click here.

Beta Release of Language Teachers Pay for lessons or earn money teaching!

Beta Release of Language Teachers Pay for lessons or earn money teaching! Today is our official launch of our new Language Teachers feature. Now with Language Teachers, students and teachers can now find each other and pay (or receive) money for lessons. * For students, you can find a teacher that has right kind of experience, a suitable time schedule, and at the right price. You can search for teachers, choose from their profiles, view their ratings, and search for courses on subjects you want to learn. By purchasing italki credits, you can be sure that your teacher is qualified and your lesson money wont be wasted. * For teachers, you can now find students, and earn money teaching them. Create your own courses, and set your own rates. Students purchase italki credits before the lesson so you dont have to worry about foreign exchange rates or how to get paid. Now you can learn any language, on your own schedule, and from the comfort of your own home! We have many more explanations about the system on our frequently asked questions (FAQ) section. If you have further questions, you can always write to feedback at italki.com. Latest Addition: Free Trials In addition, weve recently added on is the ability for students to request free trial lessons. Students initially receive three free trials which they can use to find teachers and to better understand the system. Teachers can choose if they want to participate, and can use free trials as a way to reach out to new students. Take a look at the Language Teachers feature, and let us know what you think. Were actively going to be refining these features based on your feedback, so please let us know what we can do to improve the experience for you. The italki.com team Beta Release of Language Teachers Pay for lessons or earn money teaching! Today is our official launch of our new Language Teachers feature. Now with Language Teachers, students and teachers can now find each other and pay (or receive) money for lessons. * For students, you can find a teacher that has right kind of experience, a suitable time schedule, and at the right price. You can search for teachers, choose from their profiles, view their ratings, and search for courses on subjects you want to learn. By purchasing italki credits, you can be sure that your teacher is qualified and your lesson money wont be wasted. * For teachers, you can now find students, and earn money teaching them. Create your own courses, and set your own rates. Students purchase italki credits before the lesson so you dont have to worry about foreign exchange rates or how to get paid. Now you can learn any language, on your own schedule, and from the comfort of your own home! We have many more explanations about the system on our frequently asked questions (FAQ) section. If you have further questions, you can always write to feedback at italki.com. Latest Addition: Free Trials In addition, weve recently added on is the ability for students to request free trial lessons. Students initially receive three free trials which they can use to find teachers and to better understand the system. Teachers can choose if they want to participate, and can use free trials as a way to reach out to new students. Take a look at the Language Teachers feature, and let us know what you think. Were actively going to be refining these features based on your feedback, so please let us know what we can do to improve the experience for you. The italki.com team Beta Release of Language Teachers Pay for lessons or earn money teaching! Today is our official launch of our new Language Teachers feature. Now with Language Teachers, students and teachers can now find each other and pay (or receive) money for lessons. * For students, you can find a teacher that has right kind of experience, a suitable time schedule, and at the right price. You can search for teachers, choose from their profiles, view their ratings, and search for courses on subjects you want to learn. By purchasing italki credits, you can be sure that your teacher is qualified and your lesson money wont be wasted. * For teachers, you can now find students, and earn money teaching them. Create your own courses, and set your own rates. Students purchase italki credits before the lesson so you dont have to worry about foreign exchange rates or how to get paid. Now you can learn any language, on your own schedule, and from the comfort of your own home! We have many more explanations about the system on our frequently asked questions (FAQ) section. If you have further questions, you can always write to feedback at italki.com. Latest Addition: Free Trials In addition, weve recently added on is the ability for students to request free trial lessons. Students initially receive three free trials which they can use to find teachers and to better understand the system. Teachers can choose if they want to participate, and can use free trials as a way to reach out to new students. Take a look at the Language Teachers feature, and let us know what you think. Were actively going to be refining these features based on your feedback, so please let us know what we can do to improve the experience for you. The italki.com team