Analytical Thinking Activities
Give examples of activities or questions that involve analytical thinking in a course that you are currently teaching.
Although kinesiology is considered a critical thinking course, throughout the class my students create the quizzes they will take for each chapter/section, this creates an active learning and analytical classroom environment.
When I teach math related courses I will begin with a demonstration and then move to an activity. The activity requires the students to arrange the elements of the problem given to arrive at a solution working either alone or in a small group. I will actively interact with them while they are actively working on the problem. If time, we will verify that the solutions are accurate and discuss the real life implications.
I teach Medical Terminology to Medical Assistant Students.
This subject is a different language thus the students are given medical terms and have to analyse them in pre-fix wordbody and suffix. Once they can master this skill, they can "figure" out words I give them even though they do not know the word's meaning. The students tend compete with each other while we are doing these exercises in class. I sometimes reward them with small prizes for getting the terms right.
I have used this exercise for learning the phases and events of mitosis. Students are divided into small groups. Each group is given slips of paper with the names of the phases, and major events in each. The students' task is then to group the events into the correct phase, and in order of occurrence.
I have developed a circuit prototyping lab exercise for my Logic and Problem Solving class. I provide my students a small bag of electronics parts plus a generic printed circuit board, and give them specific instructions on the circuit I would like them to design and build. They must use the resources available to them to draw a schematic diagram of the circuit. Once the circuits are drawn, the students in the class evaluate each other's schematic for accuracy. Once this is completed, the students actually build their circuits. Before applying power to the circuits, the students analyze each other's work for accuracy and neatness. Once circuits are deemed OK, power is applied and testing begins. Once the circuit is determined to work properly, students must write a report which includes theory of operation of the circuit and present it to the rest of the class orally.
This activity represents real world job requirements and enables my students to "see a project through" from basic concept to working prototype. They really enjoy the experience!
Hi Glenn,
It is good for students to be able to apply with they have learned. Most students can really follow a stip-by-step approach.
Patricia Scales
I am currently teaching a network course that involves lab assignments. I like assignments that require students to use information that has been presented during the didactic portion of class. This contrasts with assignments that walk them through the assignment step by step.
Hi John,
Putting more brains together than one to solve a solution really brings about analyzation.
Patricia Scales
Hi Peggy,
I agree! You can really use a lot of scenario-based learning in a medical lab to promote analytical thinking skills.
Patricia Scales
I like for my students to work in small groups also. By working in small groups the teams tend to help each other figure out problems.It is not always one student who comes up with the solutions it tends to have students try to show others they can find ways to solve problems also.
Teaching in a medical lab allows much opportunity for analytical thinking. Demonstration of a procedure is observed, taught and done by students. Questions are asked in the intent to have students analyze how and why it is best to perform specific steps of a procedure in a specific manner.
Hi Roberto,
Taking bits and pieces to come to the whole is a great approach to teach various concepts to students.
Patricia Scales
When I am teaching Anatomy and Physiology I first like to break down the components of the information given, and then analyze how each component contribute to form the idea of the whole concept.
Hi Michael,
Yes, students do pay closer attention if they know they will be tested or require to perform what was taught to them.
Patricia Scales
right after talking about a procedure, either troubleshooting or various adjustments on an engine, we will go to lab and have students perform the procedure, if they know this will happen, they seem to pay closer attention
Hi Crystal,
Great! These techniques are very effective! Students love it when they are challenged analytically.
Patricia Scales
I must say I've learned alot of great new techniques and approaching opportunities with my students while taking this course. I am so excited and can tell my students feel and see my enthusiasm for change and them feeling empowered by this. I like this idea for analytical activity and will be using this approach in my theory next week!
Hi Robert,
Anytime a student has to strategize it involves analytical thinking! This exercise is sure to make students thinking out of the box.
Patricia Scales
I teach business strategy. Students are required to develop strategy based on specific economical, political and market parameters. During the simulation, I suddenly add a change in the parameters (like dow jones dropping 20%, war starting in specific key markets) that will force to re-think the impact of these changes and how they will affect the strategy they wanted to put in place, forcing them to sometimes re-consider their initial thoughts.
