Make connections between different modes of thinking from "summary" of Making Thinking Visible by Ron Ritchhart,Mark Church,Karin Morrison
When we encourage students to make connections between different modes of thinking, we are asking them to see how different ways of approaching a problem or topic can complement each other. This involves moving beyond a narrow focus on one way of thinking and considering how other perspectives, strategies, or approaches could be useful. For example, a student may be used to approaching a math problem with a purely analytical mindset, focusing on numbers and equations. By encouraging them to also consider the problem from a visual or spatial perspective, they may discover new insights or solutions that were not apparent before. Similarly, a student who tends to approach a literature analysis with a purely emotional or personal perspective could benefit from also considering the historical or cultural context in which the work was written. This can provide a deeper understanding of the text and its significance. By making connections between different modes of thinking, students are able to develop a more holistic and nuanced understanding of a topic. This can lead to more creative problem-solving, critical thinking, and overall deeper engagement with the material. As educators, we can support students in this process by explicitly highlighting the value of integrating different modes of thinking. We can model this ourselves by demonstrating how we approach problems or topics from multiple perspectives, and by providing opportunities for students to practice this skill in their own work.- Encouraging students to make connections between different modes of thinking fosters a more flexible and adaptive approach to learning. It helps students to see the value in diverse ways of understanding the world and to appreciate the richness that comes from combining multiple perspectives.
