Thinking Skills And Doing Skills

I suppose we can train students to think better by posing to them various types of questions and encourage them to suggest all kinds of answers without us being too judgmental initially. Otherwise we may actually hinder them from being creative and critical. Sometimes we are not aware that our level of toleration for the 'wrong' answers can be quite low. And, it is our desire to insist on certain standard answers that may result in producing the dull minds. Take for example, what should the answers to the following questions be? -- (i)What must you do when you see a old man crossing a road? (ii)State the moral value used in your answer in (i). While in reality there are so many possible answers depending on the width of the road, the volume of the traffic at that time, the people, relatives or otherwise with the old man, your age compared with his,.....in other words so many variables. So, on one hand, in Science we are telling students to be more observant, to make proper inference and do not make immediate conclusion without investigating further, on other hand, we tell them to regurgitate standard answers that we need them to memorise frequently. The next time when you see some blurred-eyed (obviously confused) students, please do not blame them entirely.

Sometimes students must also learn from adults (not necessary teachers) for their creativity and quick response on various issues. Take for example the issue of heavy school bags of the primary school students. Not that this is something new but it has been brought up almost seasonally. You can see how creative these adults can be in offering instant solutions--not that these solutions are practical but since it is seasonal, everything will quiet down when the season is over and when the next season comes, most people have probably forgotten what you have said.... except perhaps some remnants here and there like, splitting the books into two portions--part I and part II for first and second half-yearly use respectively; using e-books with laptop to replace traditional books; creating special bag with convertable trolley and rollers..... So these are very creative suggestions that are good examples of thinking out of the box.

However, some words of caution are needed here---we must also train our students to take a step further--to be able to substantiate their creative thoughts with practical realities. With that, we are more likely to produce thinking-and-doing citizens.