Unit 5 Discussion

by Serena Browne - Friday, 30 October 2020, 1:46 AM

Number of replies: 0

It is essential that the learning environment provides an avenue for the development of
higher order skills. Higher order skills allow individuals to become problem solvers. Higher
order skills are Barak and Dori (2009) explained that higher order thinking can be viewed as
a complex mode of thinking that often generates multiple solutions, without reliance on the
application of specific sets of procedures. Higher order skills can therefore be characterized
as one’s ability to comprehend at a greater level that is able to think beyond the realms of
the norm or what is expected. It involves thinking outside of the confines of an invisible box
to solve real life issues and problems. According to Slavin (2016) the bloom's taxonomy of
cognitive domain has six levels which range from lower order, more concrete skills to higher
order more abstract skills, many individuals are unable to achieve the higher order skills. 
However there are certain activities that one can engage in to foster such skills. According
to Mukherjee (2004, pp. 172-173 as cited by UWIOC (2020) Bloom’s Taxonomy of cognitive
domain in ascending order is knowledge, comprehension, application, analysis, synthesis
and evaluation.

An example of a higher order skill is evaluating. According to UWIOC (2020) evaluation is

focused on making judgements about the value of ideas, methods and solutions. Some of
the associated skills include being able to decide what is relevant and what is not; placing
ideas in a rational order of priority; and being able to make judgements. Evaluation can be
observed in a science lesson where students have to evaluate the health of a plant under
various conditions to identify the best suitable condition for germination. This can be
assisted with the use of a cell phone to record new developments and take pictures of
plants. Students will be required to make judgements, identify solutions when the plant
displays signs of dying and select the best environment for the plant. This activity will
involve one's critical and creative thinking.
Readily accessible ICT tools in the Caribbean today that can assist with the development of
higher order skills among your learners include cell phones, laptops, projectors, cameras
and televisions. These tools will allow students to gain authentic experiences as it caters to a
variety of learning styles and learners such as visual (spatial) learner, aural (auditory) learner,
verbal (linguistic) learner, physical (kinesthetic) learner, logical (mathematical) learner, social
(interpersonal) learner and solitary (intrapersonal) learner. These tools can be used in
discovery based learning, activity based learning, reflective learning and collaborative
activities. These activities foster critical thinking, analytical skills, inquiry and reasoning skills.

References

Slavin, R. E. (2018). Educational Psychology: Theory and Practice (12th Edition). Pearson
Publishers.

UWIOC. (2020). Unit 5: Developing Higher Order Skills with ICT Mediated Instruction.
EDTK2030 Information and Communication Technologies in Education, 128-165. [PDF
document]. Retrieved from Lecture Notes Online
Website https://2020.tle.courses.open.uwi.edu/pluginfile.php/37576/mod_resource/content/
2/EDTK2030_Unit%205_Developing%20Higher-Order%20Skills.pdf