From Thinking Skills to Thinking Classrooms

In October 1998 The Department for Education and Employment commissioned a review and evaluation of research into thinking skills and related areas. The purpose of the review was to analyse what is currently understood by the term “thinking skills” and their role in the learning process; to identify approaches to developing children’s thinking and to evaluate their effectiveness; to consider how teachers might be able to integrate thinking skills into their teaching both within subject areas and across the curriculum; to identify the role of ICT in promoting a positive approach to thinking skills; and to evaluate the general direction of research and how it might translate into classroom practice.