Critical and creative thinking in practice

Improves student achievement by building teacher capacity to foster deep learning.

Description

Critical and creative thinking (CCT) in practice focuses on how students develop deep knowledge and understanding using critical and creative thinking strategies. The online professional learning (PL) modules are focused on developing teaching, learning and assessment approaches that sequence learning using critical and creative thinking. The PL modules cater for all teachers, presenting examples from Primary K-6, Years 7-10 Science, Geography, History, PDHPE and Technology Mandatory. Participants who complete the online PL will deepen their understanding of CCT in their classrooms.

Roles

Primary School
High School HSIE
High School PDHPE
High School Science
High School TAS

eLearning modules

Participants explore how critical and creative thinking can be used to enhance the teaching and learning in their classrooms. These 5 eLearning modules provide a foundational understanding of how:

CCT aligns to curriculum
CCT can be embedded in teaching programs
teachers can assess student progress in CCT.

Begin by completing the Pre-learn module. This module provides an introduction to critical and creative thinking that participants can then build upon in Modules 1-4. Teachers can mix and match these modules; however, it is recommended that modules are completed in numerical order.

Pre-learn module

Build a foundational knowledge of critical and creative thinking. Teachers will have the opportunity to explore the case for change in relation to CCT and begin to consider changes they would like to see in their classroom.

Enrol in the Pre-learn

Module 1: Critical and creative thinking aligned to curriculum (NR32232)

Explore how critical and creative thinking is embedded within NSW curriculum. You will have the opportunity to interact with NSW syllabus documents and the ACARA CCT descriptions to identify changes you would like to see in relation to student CCT capacity.

Enrol in Module 1

Module 2: Critical and creative thinking pedagogies and strategies (NR32231)

Examine a range of teaching strategies that can be used to support the teaching of critical and creative thinking skills. You will begin to consider how these might look in your classroom.

Enrol in Module 2

Module 3: Critical and creative thinking using surface, deep and transfer (SDT) to assess student achievement (NR32265)

Use Surface-Deep-Transfer (SDT) to assess student learning and learn about how it can be used to develop tasks that promote student thinking.

Enrol in Module 3

Module 4: Critical and creative thinking using structure of observed learning outcomes (SOLO) taxonomy to assess student achievement (NR32254)

Use Structure of the Observed Learning Outcomes (SOLO) to assess student learning and learn about how SOLO can be used to promote student thinking.

Enrol in Module 4

Resources

Quality curriculum implementation K-6, Module 4 – Understanding general capabilities

Further support

See the NSW Department of Education Curriculum Reform webpage for updates and additional information.

Email questions, comments and feedback about these eLearning modules to curriculumreform@det.nsw.edu.au using the subject line ‘Critical and creative thinking eLearning modules’.