Thinking is, primarily, a symbolic problem solving activity. When information are received in brain, they are required to be processed in a particular way to produce the desired result. If we see a garden and want to describe it to another person, the information are received in the brain through visual observation. Such information are then converted into words and sentences. It is only after such processing that one starts speaking. In order to make total transmission of the usually received information the thinking process also activates kinesthetic ability for gesture, facial expressions, body movements etc.
The competency of comprehension empowers a person to assimilate all the information so as to convey it to other persons after necessary processing. Understanding is the ability to comprehend and process information in a desired way.
Thinking is said to be of two types:
Convergent thinking
Divergent thinking
Some authors like De Bono prefer to call them 'Vertical' and 'Lateral' thinking rather than 'Convergent' and 'Divergent' thinking.
Convergent means coming to a point. Convex lens converges light rays to a particular point. Similarly, thinking, which has the result of having only one set of results of a set of stimuli is called convergent thinking. For example, if we ask the question, "What is your name?" This question will have unique answer. So, thinking must converge to produce the answer. Similarly, if we ask a question, "What is 2+2?" The question will have a unique answer i. e. 4.
On the other hand, if we ask a question, 'what is the name of your friends?' This question will have unlimited answers. Now, the person will have to scan all the friends and, then, suggest different answer. This takes us to the concept of the divergent thinking.
Divergent thinking, basically, means having unlimited response to a single stimulus. The question, which we asked earlier i.e. "What are the name of your friends?" will have answers like Rohan, Sohan, Shyam, Gita, Sita etc. Similarly, if we ask a question 'which two numbers add to ten', we will have unlimited answers, i.e. 1+9, 2+8, 3+7, 4+6, 5+5, -2+12, etc.
Divergent thinking processes are, basically, useful for generation of new ideas. It makes excursions from the beaten tracks and seeks variety. In this sense, it allows to go beyond what is obvious and apparent. Since it allows one to explore more than one answer, it facilitates creativity and innovation.
Convergent thinking, on the other hand, moves in beaten tracks and leads one to only answer, which is so called right answer. This answer has to be similar to the answers arrived by other people also, otherwise it is declared to be wrong. Divergent thinking, on the other hand, may lead to multiple answers. Hence, there may be wide variations in the answer arrived at by different people.
The key to developing thinking ability lies in developing problem-solving ability. Learners must be given as many problems to solve as possible. Some of the basic principles involved in designing problems are as follows:
Identify the learning style of a child. See how to identify learning style of your child.
As different intelligence areas have different symbols and patterns, design problems pertaining to the symbols and patterns pertaining to the intelligence of the learning style.
Select level of problems of the level of the learner.
Gradually increase the complexity of the problems.
Complexity of the problems may be enhanced by designing difficult problems in one or multi intelligence situations.
Ask learners to solve as many problems as possible.
Gradually increase the speed of the problem solving.
Generation of thoughts in mind is not very systematic. Sometimes, we may have many ideas coming in our mind in a sequential manner. At other times, it may be totally erratic. Sometimes, it may not come at all for a pretty long time. In those circumstances, it is better to use geo-designs, which help us organization and presentation of thoughts. Such geo-designs may be called Thought Organizers. Using such thought organizers also leads to better comprehension of matter It also helps in better retention of ideas. These designs are extremely helpful in solving problems of Science, Social Studies, etc.
For details
see Shaping Mind Creatively or consult a Creative Learning Volunteer.
©2001-2009 APCL
Last changed:
Mon Oct 5 05:04:52 2009