Thinking & Learning Strategies

Learn about learning - what learning strategies work best? Which work best for you? Learn various learning techniques and how to use them, and why some are more useful for some people than others.

What is Thinking & Learning Strategies?

Teaching thinking and learning strategies is important in order to help students become better independent learners. By teaching these strategies, students will be better equipped to solve problems, remember information, and think critically. Common thinking and learning strategies include: metacognition, problem solving, critical thinking, and creativity. metacognition is the ability to think about one's own thinking and learn from past mistakes. Problem solving requires the ability to identify a problem, brainstorm possible solutions, and select the best solution. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze information and make decisions based on evidence. Creativity is the ability to come up with new and original ideas.


How to Learn Thinking & Learning Strategies

There are a number of different ways to approach thinking and learning strategies. The most effective approach depends on the individual and the task at hand.

One common approach to learning is memorization. This involves repetition and drills to commit information to memory. Another approach is to try to understand the material by breaking it down into smaller pieces. This can be done by reading and taking notes, or by discussing the material with others.

There are also different ways to think about the material. Some people prefer to think in linear, logical steps. Others may prefer to think more creatively, seeing connections between different ideas. Some people may prefer to think visually, while others may prefer to think in words. The best approach depends on the individual and the task.

Whatever the approach, it is important to be aware of the different ways of thinking and learning. By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each approach, individuals can tailor their learning to suit their needs. By using the most effective approach for each situation, individuals can maximize their learning and improve their thinking skills.

Learning thinking and learning strategies helps individuals to be better learners. The ability to think and learn strategically allows people to identify and use the resources available to them, to plan and execute tasks more efficiently, and to monitor and reflect on their own performance. Good thinkers and learners are able to see the “big picture” and understand how the various pieces of information fit together. They can break down problems into smaller manageable pieces, and they are not afraid to ask for help when they need it.

Thinking & Learning Strategies Resources

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

Make It Stick: The Science of Successful Learning

To most of us, learning something 'the hard way” implies wasted time and effort. Good teaching, we believe, should be creatively tailored to the different learning styles of students and should use strategies that make learning easier. Ma...

Thinking, Fast and Slow

Thinking, Fast and Slow

In the international bestseller, Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman, the renowned psychologist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics, takes us on a groundbreaking tour of the mind and explains the two systems that drive the way we think. S...

James Madison Critical Thinking Course

James Madison Critical Thinking Course

James Madison Critical Thinking Course [PH.D William O'Meara PH.D and Daniel Flage] is targeted towards students and challenges them to think critically by using forensics and crime solving scenarios....

Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age course from the University of Michigan on Coursera

Mindware: Critical Thinking for the Information Age

A free Coursera course from the University of Michigan, based on Richard Nisbett’s work, that teaches powerful ideas from psychology, statistics, and logic for reasoning better about everyday life.

Train Your Brain

Train Your Brain

Happiness, love, effectiveness, and wisdom… We all want these, and this course teaches you how to bring them to life in your brain. The course covered 19 topics that you can review in any order. They offer user-friendly information about the brain an...

Learning Mindsets & Skills

Learning Mindsets & Skills

The Learning Mindsets & Skills MOOC is designed to explore underlying concepts behind Learning Mindsets & Skills as well as the the practical applications of those concepts in various educational environments. Course Participants will hypothe...

Thinking and Learning Strategies (online)

Thinking and Learning Strategies (online)

In this online Thinking and Learning Strategies course, students will develop critical thinking skills and test-taking strategies through reading, writing and math activities. Students will also gain reading, writing, organization and study strategie...

How to Study and Learn

How to Study and Learn

To study well and learn any subject is to learn how to think with discipline within that subject. It is to learn to think within its logic, to: - raise vital questions and problems within it, formulating them clearly and precisely - gather and asses...

6 Powerful Learning Strategies You MUST Share with Students

6 Powerful Learning Strategies You MUST Share with Students

Studying CAN be taught. Learn how retrieval practice, interleaving, elaboration, and other research-based study strategies can help your students learn better....