I’m always on the lookout for tools, techniques and strategies for promoting thinking in the classroom, and Visible Thinking from Harvard University fits the bill brilliantly. For those looking for a research-based approach to introducing a set of valuable strategies into the classroom that go beyond a superficial application of the ‘thinking hats’ etc. this is for you.

The introduction to the site outlines what its purpose is:

Visible Thinking has a double goal: on the one hand, to cultivate students’ thinking skills and dispositions, and, on the other, to deepen content learning. By thinking dispositions, we mean curiosity, concern for truth and understanding, a creative mindset, not just being skilled but also alert to thinking and learning opportunities and eager to take them.

The concept of thinking as a disposition appeals to me – in much the same way as thinking of inquiry as a disposition, as opposed to a process or formula.

The site is extremely well organised, with some excellent material to introduce teachers to the concepts behind and use of the various techniques and strategies that are introduced. Certainly well worth bookmarking and putting aside a little time to become familiar with before introducing some of these into the classroom programme.