...Versus Thinking

Steve Hoggins, another longstanding TPF specialist tackles David's and Pete's arguments on teaching critical thinking in the classroom, offering an alternative suggestion for a 'curious' way of thinking that seeks to straddle the potential divide between increasing confidence and building the child's capacity to withstand critical challenges.

Posted by Joe Tyler on 12th December 2016 at 12:00am


Category: Philosophy, P4C, Education

Tags: Critical Thinking, Philosophy in the classroom

Critical Thinking vs Confident Thinking

David Birch, a longstanding TPF philosophy specialist offers his thoughts on why it may be the case that teaching critical thinking in schools can go sour.  He suggests the most important thing is to replace the commonplace non-thinking happening in our classrooms with a positive form of thinking.  He advocates an idea of 'confident thinking' rather than 'critical thinking' as he sees how it can have a negative impact on young learners.

Posted by Joe Tyler on 12th December 2016 at 12:00am


Category: Philosophy, P4C, Education

Tags: Critical Thinking, Philosophy in the classroom

TAKING ONE FOR THE TEAM: Do as I do.

By Andy Day

INSET day yesterday. Hello teachers, I’m one of those people that come to your school on the first day back from holidays and interrupt your preparation for the coming term with power points of wisdom on how to teach.

I like to start by finding out something about what the teachers want, and what their beliefs about education are. Yesterday, one of the ideas that was mentioned – and generally agreed with – was ‘risk-taking’; the staff wanted their pupils to be willing to experiment and explore, and not to fear making mistakes, particularly in Maths. I agree with this aim, but… it’s ironic to hear it coming from teachers.

Posted by on 6th January 2015 at 12:00am


Category: Education

Tags: Education, Maths, Critical Thinking, philosophy, philosophy in schools, philosophy for children, Andy Day